An interview with Mike Montague on the Your Daily Chocolate podcast.
Ever thought about the power of play in boosting productivity at the workplace? Mike is no ordinary game show host – he brings fun to corporate settings, creating a playful work culture. He shares his journey from being a karaoke host to hosting virtual game shows for big companies like Facebook and Google, and how he channels his passion for playfulness and creativity to make work enjoyable.
We’ve all heard that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, but have you ever thought of integrating play into your work routine? Mike explains how the five P’s – play, perform, pause, ponder, and practice can contribute to a healthier work-life balance. Our discussion also navigates through the implications of unlimited vacation time, fostering playful company cultures, and why taking breaks is not only beneficial but necessary. This episode is packed with intriguing insights about transforming a monotonous work environment into a productive and enjoyable space.
In the final section, we delve deeper into the importance of playfulness in work and life balance. Mike introduces us to the different types of play and how these can be used to create a positive work atmosphere. With a mix of physical, mental, and emotional work combined with the magic of play, the workplace can be more than just deadlines and targets. You definitely don’t want to miss Mike’s invaluable advice and tips on how to foster a fun work environment. Tune in, learn, and let’s start playing!
(0:07:36) – Play and Creativity at Work (9 Minutes)
Mike shares how his parents supported his creative pursuits and the research that shows that 97% of people do more of what they’re currently doing or give up when faced with a challenge. We explore why creativity and playfulness can be hard for so many people. We learn why it’s important to stay playful and creative and the positive effects it can have on health, productivity, and more.
(0:16:50) – Balancing Stress and Play in the Workplace (6 Minutes)
We explore the importance of taking breaks from work, regardless of the job. Even low-stress jobs can become overwhelming if done for too long, and even in high-stress jobs, breaks are essential. We consider the role of work culture and the five P’s – play, perform, pause, ponder, and practice – in creating a healthy work-life balance.
(0:22:40) – Unlimited Vacation and Playful Company Cultures (4 Minutes)
We discuss the implications of offering unlimited vacation time to employees, and how companies with playful cultures have found success. We explore the idea of offering holiday breaks and company spring break, and how these can help employees focus on their work. We also consider if there is such a thing as too much play, and if there are any topics that can’t be joked about in a workplace.
(0:26:19) – Value of Playfulness in Work/Life (11 Minutes)
We explore the different types of play and how they can be applied in the workplace. We discuss the idea of physical work, mental work, and emotional work, and how these different types of play can be used to create a more positive and playful work environment. We discuss the importance of taking breaks from work, regardless of the job, and how companies with playful cultures have found success. Finally, we explore the implications of offering unlimited vacation time to employees and discuss how to coach people to start having fun.
