What if play wasn't the opposite of work, but one of the most underused tools leaders have for building connection, trust, creativity, and engagement?
In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins is joined by Kristi Herold, founder and CEO of JAM and author of It Pays to Play: How Play Improves Business Culture.
Kristi has built her career around a simple idea: we don't have to leave play behind when we grow up. When leaders create opportunities for people to laugh, connect, celebrate, and have fun together, they can strengthen the relationships that help teams work better together.
Mike and Kristi explore why friendships at work matter, how play can support retention and collaboration, and why the relationships people build beyond their job descriptions can make it easier to work across functions and solve problems together.
Kristi also shares practical ways JAM brings play into everyday work, from shout-out channels and playful onboarding traditions to meeting rituals, team sports, core value awards, and their daily huddle.
They also discuss:
• Why play and meaningful work aren't mutually exclusive
• The connection between friendship, belonging, and engagement at work
• How leaders can make recognition more memorable
• Why social wellness deserves a place alongside other workplace wellbeing initiatives
• How play can strengthen relationships across teams and functions
• Why trust can create more space for creativity and new ideas
• Simple ways to make meetings more engaging
• How playful traditions can become part of organizational culture
• Why taking your business seriously doesn't require taking yourself seriously
Kristi's challenge to leaders is simple: make room for play. Not as a distraction from the work, but as another way to strengthen the relationships that help people do great work together.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Kristi LinkedIn / Website / Instagram
It Pays to Play by Kristi Herold
JAM Group: https://jamgroup.com/
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