NEW STUDY: Playfulness has significant power in organizations

NEW SCIENCE! Playfulness at Work as a Leadership Signal

New research reveals that being playful at work can do more than lighten the mood; it can shape how you're seen by your coworkers. A two-part study (a controlled experiment and a real-world survey with over 600 participants) found that:

 Playful employees are seen as more authentic — especially in competitive environments.

 Authenticity boosts social standing, leading to:

• Greater leadership potential in the eyes of peers

• Increased social support

• Reduced risk of being socially undermined

Why? According to signaling theory, playfulness is a visible cue that signals sincerity and alignment with one’s true self. In high-stakes, competitive teams, these signals become more valuable, standing out and fostering trust.

The takeaway: Playfulness isn’t just about taking breaks and supporting personal well-being. In the right context, it can position you as a genuine, trustworthy, and even leadership-worthy member of your team.

What this means for leaders and teams:

• Encourage play even when times are intense; it could ease conflict and build trust.

• Recognize playfulness as a strength in leadership development.

• Build team climates where authenticity can shine through even (or especially) under pressure.

As the study concludes, "it might be fruitful to consider playfulness more frequently in this line of research." I couldn’t agree more.

This is the future of work: human, authentic, and playfully powerful.