Play Unlocks Better Stories
It's where some of your best ideas start.
As I type this, I’m headed home with my family after nearly three weeks of what I like to call a “working vacation.” The phrase is admittedly a bit of an oxymoron, but when you’re self-employed, fully unplugging doesn’t always appear as an option. So, while New York served as our home base, we squeezed in work between adventures to Fire Island, Boston, Ireland, and even London. Stepping away from our usual routines served as a reminder of why it’s so valuable to take a break from our schedules every now and then.
We played together, taking a Duck Boat Tour in Boston, an Irish dance lesson in Limerick, an immersive light display at the Museum of Natural History, and a visit to the Color Factory in Lower Manhattan.
As memorable as those experiences were, some of our favorite moments weren’t planned at all. While we waited for our very first flight out of SFO, my son, Joshua, created his own game of catch using a squishy ball he brought and a hat he fashioned from a menu at the restaurant.
We later spent hours building and rebuilding a dam across a stream in Central Park. We became the center of attention as we saw how high we could stack a Jenga tower while waiting for a treat at our neighborhood ice cream parlor. These impromptu moments of pure play remain highlights for kids and dads alike.
Without the pressure of schedules, I love experiencing my family’s creativity flowing when we just immerse ourselves in the power of play. Those moments felt restorative, and they’re more than just good memories. Time spent playing is crucial for our ability to relax, recharge, and renew. Choosing play is a strategic action that accelerates our creativity and releases our inhibitions.
Whether we as leaders are stepping away from our screens or taking a pause from a stubborn writing challenge, pausing to play sometimes allows our unconscious minds to move creatively toward our challenges.
If you’re wondering what this has to do with becoming a better communicator... quite a lot, actually. Play forces us to be “in the moment,” which directly affects our ability to be present and connected to those we lead and serve.
A great next step is to invest 10 minutes of your time to complete your Play Styles Inventory. This free tool will let you see your unique play style. This allows you to then embrace creativity more fully in both your work and your life.
If you want to take the fun and strategy of play to a whole new level, come join my collaborator (and yes, new bestie), Kristine Michie, at Modern Elder Academy for The Power of Play: Unlock Your Story and Purpose for What’s Next. In the conversation below with MEA Founder Chip Conley, you’ll get a glimpse of our approach of bringing the power of play into the work of crafting and sharing your personal narrative. Catch the whole conversation with Chip, Kristine, and me on The Power of Play in Reinventing Your Life here.
Some of our cornerstone lessons include:
How changing your brain chemistry creates conditions for creativity
Why the best breakthroughs often happen while you’re doing something else
How laughter quiets your inner critic and unlocks more authentic storytelling
Of course, we’d love to have you join us for the first of its kind experience in Santa Fe while seats remain. But whether or not you’re with us, take some time to play a little during your slower days in August, without agenda. Witness what the power of play can do for you and your ability to communicate with greater clarity and freedom.
Community Spotlight
Many LGBTQ+ leaders aren’t searching for a different voice... they’re looking for the confidence to use their own. That’s why I’m honored to be part of the free virtual Gay Men of Integrity Leadership Summit (August 10–14), where I’ll be sharing practical communication strategies for leading with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
Talk of the Week
Roger Manix beautifully demonstrates the strengths of choosing to play in his TEDx Asbury Park talk, Play Your Way to Joy. Roger makes a compelling case that play is more than a way children learn. Play is how we strengthen creativity, deepen connection, and develop the emotional intelligence needed to navigate everyday uncertainty. If you’ve ever wondered why your best ideas seem to arrive when you’re not trying so hard, this talk is a wonderful place to start.
A Substack Worth Following: National Institute for Play
If you missed last week’s newsletter, I’m beginning to spotlight my favorite Substack publications along the way. This week, I’m recommending the National Institute for Play. Their work explores how play shapes creativity, resilience, and human connection. Their recent article, The 5 Conditions Every Game You’ve Ever Loved Secretly Builds by Michie Leccese is a fitting companion to this week’s conversation.
JD’s Recommendations: What I’m Reading, Hearing & Viewing
Reading: This article by Magdalena Ponurska explores the neuroscience behind a simple 20-minute writing exercise that can unlock fresh ideas and help you approach stubborn challenges with a new perspective.
Hearing: Engage with three play specialists, including Stuart Brown, in this Aspen on the Go podcast from the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Viewing: Just need a laugh? Gary Gulman transforms the surprisingly mundane
Story of State Abbreviations into a brilliant reminder that curiosity and humor go hand in hand.
We spend so much of our lives trying to be productive. This month, I hope you’ll also give yourself permission to be playful.
All the best,
jds
Thank you. Fascinating!
Thank you for feature in your article! and for all the other ideas for and to play!