I’m Kevin Simmons. I help organizations:
Create a culture of belonging
Increase workplace happiness, loyalty, and retention
Increase productivity, contribution, and innovation
Dissolve barriers and reduce conflict
Belonging
Having It
Not Having It
Not Having It
Pretty clear which one you want on your teams. How do you create belonging in your workforce, though? And what if you don’t?
“In the 21st century, high psychological safety will increasingly become a term of employment, and organizations that don’t supply it will bleed out their top talent.”
Clark, Four Stages of Psychological Safety
So we’re talking about survival here.
Serious stuff. So much so, that it’s time to play.
Yes, play. As in, with each other.
Play
- awakens joy and curiosity
- yields invention and kinship
- refreshes imagination and purpose
- lights up our midbrains
- builds presence
- requires risk and vulnerability
- bestows belonging
The games I bring were developed by masters in actor training. They work to dissolve barriers between people. Barriers like class, race, gender, and hierarchy.
Making playmates of workmates.
Right now, your people are saying
“Give me a reason to commit, to give more, to bring my best ideas, my best self to work.”
Maybe it’s belonging. It’s an excellent guess.
A leader’s guess.
So smash that button now. Don’t play with it. Playtobelong.
Introducing Playtobelong:
Where work and play unite to unleash extraordinary potential.
How Does PlaytoBelong Work?
PlaytoBelong is offered in 60-90 minute workshops. When you schedule a PlaytoBelong session, we’ll discuss and plan a meeting location – somewhere with space enough for your team to move around. I will provide everything that is needed for the session.
What will participants do? What is the experience like?
It is all physical play. First are slower, gentler games for warming up. We will work in pairs, threes, fours, teams, and with the entire group. Occasionally, we will take turns being audience. The experience is inclusive, supportive, embodied, simple, challenging, and both hilarious and profound.
What about older or physically limited participants?
While there will be physical movement, there won’t be “exercise” involved (no ropes course or trust falls here), so this will work for people of all ages and abilities. We’ll be breaking into teams and playing specific team based games that foster involvement, roles, trust and most of all – FUN!! Of course, I welcome specific questions and concerns as I plan sessions.
What is included or required to be in a Playtobelong session?
Only one thing required: you in your play clothes, with an open-minded and nonjudgmental attitude. What’s included is my guidance and expertise in curating a safe and fun experience.
Why am I, Kevin Simmons, uniquely suited to do this?
I love these games and I’ve both played and run thousands of hours of them. I also love belonging and connection and it’s my mission to increase them. These games do that.
So is this a one-shot deal?
While the benefits of play are immediate, the offering is envisioned as ongoing: what if you only played with the kids on the block once? We are establishing a culture and a ritual of belonging.
How often would we play together?
Minimally, one 60-90 minute session a month. Once every week or two would be great!
Could we afford that?
Pricing says yes. Consequences of not belonging say yes. So, yes!
What’s the group size?
12 to 20 people. If you are a large organization, prioritize areas of need. Scaling may come later.
How’s this different from other team building events such as ropes courses?
Hmm. It doesn’t take all day. It isn’t once a year. It offers a cultural change, not an “experience.” It’s cheaper. Play is much more open to imagination and invention. Both have risk, but play’s risk is interpersonal vulnerability, so its social reward is higher. It’s all on terra firma, so no acrophobia issues.
Where does this happen?
In private, open, indoor space of around 1,000 square feet. If there’s a good option at your place, great! Otherwise, somewhere close by.
Can people observe?
It is for participants only.