A Gallup study from 2024 found that 69% of employees are disengaged at work, while 17% are ACTIVELY disengaged. That’s not a motivation issue—it’s a community issue. People aren’t just craving better culture. They’re craving belonging.

At BoredLess, I help leaders move beyond surface-level culture work to create workplaces rooted in shared purpose, psychological safety, inclusion, and flexibility. This isn’t about adding one more initiative; it’s about shifting your foundation.

Through Playful Work Design and the emerging approach of Community Architecture through the IGN!Te Framework, we equip teams to co-create culture instead of just consuming it. Whether you're reimagining employee engagement, reworking your values, or just tired of the “fun committee” not moving the needle, you're in the right place.

Play at work? Yes!

Transform your workplace with Playful Work Design by focusing on the four pillars: flexibility, psychological safety, mission alignment, and inclusion. These key elements go beyond traditional team building to foster a culture where creativity thrives, and employees are more engaged and productive. These pillars are the conditions that make real community at work possible.

Discover the tangible benefits and success stories from companies that have already made the shift. (Learn more in this article).

Play isn’t just about fun and games - these solutions enable you to build a more innovative, collaborative, and successful team, leading to increased productivity, profitability, and employee satisfaction.

What is Community Architecture?

Culture is the output. Community is the infrastructure.

Community Architecture is a leadership approach rooted in connection, trust, and co-creation. It helps teams go beyond “vibes” and “values” into real belonging—and it starts with shifting from Culture Enforcers to Community Architects.

🔹 Take the self-assessment (coming soon!) to identify your leadership style
🔹 Learn the IGN!Te framework to build stronger communities at work
🔹 Book the keynote speech or workshop to bring it to your organization

Employee Engagement & Retention through Playful Work Design - Consulting - Facilitation - Workshops - Keynote

Employee Engagement & Retention through Playful Work Design - Consulting - Facilitation - Workshops - Keynote

Products

On-Demand Resources

DIY tools to boost trust, clarity, and connection

🔹 Playful Card Decks
🔹 Flow & Play Video Course
🔹 Imposter Syndrome Mini Course
🔹 Playful Facilitation Training Deck
🔹 (Coming Soon) The Playful Edge Library

Use at your pace, with your team, from anywhere.

Corporate Services

Organizational Transformation

For teams ready to work differently

🔹 Culture & Community Audits
🔹 Playful Team Toolkit
🔹 Workshops & Facilitation
🔹 Consulting & Leadership Coaching

We don’t just create culture decks. We build the conditions where culture can thrive.

Speaking

Keynotes, retreats, and events

For audiences ready to rethink culture, motivation, and leadership

🔹 Signature Keynote: From Culture to Community
🔹 Breakout Sessions on Play, Resilience & Leadership
🔹 Leadership Retreats & Sales Kickoffs
🔹 Interactive Workshops & ERG Events

Play is a powerful tool for engagement, innovation, and belonging.

Testimonials

Testimonials

Featured
Ashlee Berghoff

Acey's delivery was also really fun and light. After not interacting with her for very long, I felt like I knew her. It was a really incredible talk. I really appreciated everything I learned. Hear more in this video testimonial! https://bit.ly/video-testimonial-ashlee

Anonymous Attendee

I really appreciated how this was not centered only on neurotypical brains. I tend to be very resistant to PD sessions about burnout and stress because neurodivergent people like myself are usually not considered in those conversations. This session was really affirming because flow and play reminded me a lot of my hyperfocus states (adhd brain) and it was affirming to see that as a strength and skill vs a hindrance or distraction. Thank you for that AND for having sensory toys, fidgets at the table - I felt like I could unmask when usually I’m heavily masking during those types of sessions. Thank you!!!

Tawny P, Principal | Gallup Global Strengths Coach

Focused on work and the monotony of routine, it can be easy to lose sight of “play," and particularly, how it can benefit our daily successes and performance. Thank goodness Acey Holmes from “BoredLess” is here to remind us. In this two hour session we learned the advantages of play, the ways it impacts our feel good hormones and endorphins, and how this subtle shift drastically increases our capacity to “do” with greater gusto. From fidget toys and inspirational stickers scattered down the center of the table, to evidence-based data delivered in a polished presentation you’ll leave this session fully aware of how to reframe the mundane into interesting, stimulating, and entertaining situations-effectively enhancing your team’s amplitude for success. A must have for any team desiring greater employee engagement!

Nicki C, Principal Executive Recruiter

Acey is an amazing presenter and facilitator. She excels at hosting inclusive, informative and engaging events. Here energy and passion are infectious. I love the way Acey balances deep insights and research, with experiential learning exercises that can be applied in real-time.

Katelyn M, HR Generalist

Working with Acey has been a fun and refreshing experience! She brings a new perspective to play in the workplace, a topic that is new, engaging and innovative to our employees. She allows her attendees to think outside of the box and explore new areas of their roles to keep them excited and engaged. We will definitely continue working with Acey to provide our employees a diverse and collaborative learning approach!

Logann Grasteit

Three words to describe my experience working with Acey Holmes to organize a meeting? Friendly, focused, and flexible. Acey was responsive and able to adapt her content and material to a diverse audience of stake holders in a unique meeting setting. She delivered a presentation that was enjoyed by all.

Alexis Fowkes, Events Manager

Acey was wonderful to work with – she was incredibly responsive and easy to communicate and work with. Our attendees absolutely loved her session, “The Power of Play for Adults.” They particularly loved how interactive the session was, and how it was a great way to break up a long day of conference sessions.

Denver Workforce Development Board

Your passion for engagement coupled with play, really made for an invigorating presentation. Thank you for sharing your time and enthusiasm.

Logann G, Senior Management Analyst

We really enjoyed learning the theory behind your practice. Your ability to intertwine engagement and passion into work and adult learning is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your talents and expertise with us!

Barbara Brooks, CEO, Second Act Women

Acey and BoredLess provided strategic and purposeful playfully designed break options for our two-day conference. A large percentage of the participants participated and it was clear they had renewed energy throughout the day. They exhibited a readiness to learn even late in the afternoon because of the playful breaks Acey provided. She was organized in her planning process and communicated well with my team. I enjoyed working with her and would utilize her services again.

Valerie R., Facilitator & Business Strategist

(re: following attendance of “Creating a Meaningful and Engaging Work Environment” workshop.)

“Excellent learning today, and great insights that people can put to work ASAP.”

Kristy H, Chamber Professional

I really enjoyed the Failure Awards that Acey conducted at our ACCE conference. In the world of Chambers, and probably in other worlds too, comparison becomes discouraging and often toxic/unmotivating. When we sit around with other Chamber executives, we usually only focus on our successes and achievements. To actually peel back layers, get raw and discuss things that didn’t go well was a refreshing twist on the “comparison” game! I learned from the other people at my table and in the room that there are definitely more strikeouts than successes in life, but you only get the big hits by continuing to swing and strikeout! It was refreshing to be vulnerable and honest and admit failure…knowing that I wasn’t alone!

Jillian R, Global PMO Lead

Acey recently facilitated a team building workshop for us at Schneider Electric for our virtual team of 10 employees. It's not easy to make something fun when everybody is calling in via Teams but Acey managed to start out the day Tuesday and Thursday with 15 minutes to wake us up and then spend an hour on Wednesday getting our brains in the right space for a brainstorming session on strategic initiatives later on that day. She even snuck in a lesson on WHY play is so important for us adults. She did an excellent job of keeping us engaged, having activities that we didn't expect but turns out we had fun with, and everybody truly enjoyed team building virtually (which is a very tall order if you've ever tried to engage a global team from Singapore to the States to Serbia!) It was a pleasure working with you!

Leah B, COO

I always love starting meetings or events with something fun to break the ice and get people laughing, but I often run out of ideas or feel nervous about picking something that no one else will think is fun. It was wonderful to work with Acey to have her facilitate 'fun' to kick-off an all-day strategy session with a newly developing team. We laughed, worked together, and got comfortable being vulnerable with one another. Also, the fidget toys that she left for us for the rest of the day were fantastic! Highly recommend working with Acey to facilitate 'fun' and get the creativity and team building flowing!

Community Event Organizer Partner

Acey had a strong facilitator voice and made the session easy because she put as much energy into it as she wanted the participants to give.

Erica W, toy industry professional

Acey’s contributions tremendously impacted the energy and engagement of every WiT “Casual Friday” and “Virtual Recess” event she facilitated. Backed by her stellar attitude and contagious positivity, our interactions were always the highlight of my work week. 10/10 would recommend to a friend or colleague!

Amanda Gummer, PhD, Good Play Guide

Acey quickly understood the project presented using professional insight to complete the task independently. The product she was delivered was well-written, comprehensive, and applicable for the client to affect positive change.

The Playful Team Toolkit:

Unlocking Engagement, Productivity, and Innovation

FOR COMMUNITY ARCHITECTS

Embark on a journey of discovery and transformation through the power of play. This quarterly workshop series will provide you with the insights and skills you need to create a more positive, engaging, and productive work environment.

I’ve created this free deck template to help you secure leadership’s support!

$7k per quarter includes:  Four (4) 2.5-hour workshops (1 per quarter, virtual or in-person), Twelve one-hour leadership strategy calls (monthly)

Options: make-up calls for new hires or those that missed the workshop, office/workspace design consulting, curated toy packages.

Workshop Topic Descriptions are listed below.

One year, four workshops, and limitless benefits.

Benefits to your organization:

  • Increased productivity: By fostering a sense of ownership and motivation among employees through a playful and engaging work environment, organizations can achieve increased productivity. Engaged employees are up to 18% more productive than their disengaged counterparts.

  • Increased profitability: By cultivating a highly engaged workforce through a playful and engaging work environment, organizations can achieve increased profitability. Engaged employees are more likely to be productive, creative, and innovative, leading to a 23% increase in profitability.

  • Enhanced creativity and innovation: Playful environments encourage exploration and risk-taking, which can lead to new ideas and solutions. When teams are able to think more creatively, they are able to come up with innovative solutions to problems that can lead to increased revenue.

  • Improved employee engagement and retention: Playful and engaging work environments can help attract and retain top talent. Engaged employees are more likely to be loyal to their employers and these workforces experience 43% less turnover than disengaged teams. This can lead to significant cost savings for organizations in terms of recruiting and training new employees.

  • Reduced absenteeism: Engaged employees are less likely to take sick days. A study by Gallup found that companies with highly engaged employees have 81% lower absenteeism rates. This can lead to cost savings for the organization in terms of reduced sick pay and lost productivity.

  • The Science of Playful Culture: Unlocking Transformation Through Play

    In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, creating a positive and engaging company culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent. Play can be a powerful tool for designing a culture that fosters trust, psychological safety, belonging, and engagement.

    Rooted in neuroscience, play helps us develop and support the skills needed to create a culture of transparency and connection. When we play, we are more likely to take risks, be open to feedback, and collaborate effectively.

    During this workshop, teams will:

    ~Explore the neuroscience of play and its impact on company culture

    ~Learn how to incorporate play into routines and behaviors to create a more positive and engaging work environment

    ~Discover strategies for using play to foster trust, psychological safety, belonging, and engagement

    ~Develop ideas for creating a playful community that supports your company culture

    Learning Outcomes

    ~Gain a deeper understanding of the neuroscience of play and its impact on company culture

    ~Learn how to incorporate play into your work routines and behaviors to create a more positive and engaging work environment

    ~Discover strategies for using play to foster trust, psychological safety, belonging, and engagement

    ~Develop ideas for creating a playful community that supports your company culture

    ~Leave with practical tools and techniques for implementing playful work design in your organization

    Organizations that utilize playful work design experience increased connection across teams, 12% more productivity, 41% less absenteeism, 21% increase in profitability.

  • The Failure Advantage: Igniting Learning, Growth, and Innovation

    Failure is an inevitable part of life and work. It can be discouraging, embarrassing, and even painful. However, failure also presents a unique opportunity for learning, growth, and innovation.

    In today's rapidly changing world, the ability to learn from failure is essential for success. Teams that are able to embrace failure and use it as a learning opportunity are more likely to be innovative and adaptable.

    During this workshop, we will:

    ~Explore the power of failure as a transformative tool

    ~Learn how to reframe failure as a learning opportunity

    ~Develop strategies for coping with failure and overcoming the fear of failure

    ~Discover how to use failure to fuel innovation

    Learning Outcomes

    ~Reframe failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback

    ~Identify and analyze your own and others' failures to extract valuable lessons

    ~Develop a growth mindset that embraces failure as a necessary step on the path to success

    ~Apply strategies for coping with failure and overcoming the fear of failure

    ~Collaborate with others to fail together and learn from each other

    ~Celebrate failure and share your stories with confidence and humor

    Failure is not the opposite of success; it is a stepping stone on the path to success. By learning to embrace failure, teams can become more resilient, innovative, and successful.

  • The Playful Team: Leveraging Personal Play Identities for Team Success

    Just as understanding personality archetypes can foster greater understanding, empathy, and appreciation for individual differences within teams, gaining insights into Personal Play Identities can have a profound impact on team dynamics.

    Teams that are able to leverage the diverse play styles of their members are more likely to be creative, collaborative, and successful.

    During this workshop, we will:

    ~Explore the concept of personal play identities

    ~Learn about the four distinct play styles

    ~Discover how to identify your own personal play style

    ~Gain insights into the play styles of your teammates

    ~Develop strategies for leveraging the diverse play styles of your team

    Learning Outcomes

    ~Gain a deeper understanding of the concept of personal play identities

    ~Identify your own personal play style

    ~Gain insights into the play styles of your teammates

    ~Learn how to leverage the diverse play styles of your team to enhance communication, collaboration, and creativity

    ~Develop strategies for creating a more playful and engaging team environment

    By understanding and appreciating the diverse play styles of their members, teams can create a more cohesive, connected, and successful work environment.

  • The Power of Flow: Cultivating Peak Performance and Experience

    Flow is a state of heightened focus, engagement, and absorption in which individuals experience a sense of effortless action, timelessness, and complete involvement in the task at hand. It is often described as being "in the zone" or "on a roll."

    In today's demanding and competitive world, the ability to achieve flow is essential for peak performance. Teams that are able to cultivate a state of flow are more likely to be productive, creative, and successful.

    During this workshop, we will:

    ~Explore the nature of flow and its relationship to peak performance

    ~Learn about the neuroscience of flow and the key factors that contribute to its occurrence

    ~Gain practical insights into how to create the conditions for flow in your own life and work

    ~Discover strategies for helping others achieve flow

    Learning Outcomes

    ~Gain a deep understanding of the concept of flow

    ~Identify the key factors that contribute to flow

    ~Develop practical strategies for getting into flow on demand

    ~Learn how to help others achieve flow

    ~Apply the principles of flow to enhance team performance

    Flow is a powerful tool that can be used to achieve peak performance. By understanding the nature of flow and the factors that contribute to its occurrence, individuals and teams can learn to harness its power to achieve their goals.

Invest in the power of play for transformative change.