For years, I introduced myself as a toy designer. But over time, I realized I wasn’t designing toys — I was designing conditions for play: spaces and systems that invite experimentation, improvisation, and joy.
Eventually, my audience shifted. Companies like Google, Nike, and Disney began calling, asking me to bring my approach to leadership teams.
The question I hear most often: “Do adults really need to play?”
The answer is yes. Play may be the single most overlooked skill that sets leaders apart, and it is necessary in times of uncertainty.
We’re taught that adulthood is about control and productivity. Yet I’ve seen play unlock creativity, resilience, and connection. Leaders who play shift from obsessing over outcomes to embracing curiosity. They reframe failure as exploration, and they discover that a playful team fuels success.
