The Importance of Having Fun with Your Team

Last week I had the pleasure of working with the leadership team at First Federal Savings and Loan. We spent three hours together — 28 of us total, spread across the bank’s many branches and divisions.

And here’s the thing: from the outside, it looked like a leadership workshop. On the inside? It was pure, full-throttle, belly-laughing, team-building fun.

Hands-On Learning (and Laughing)

Most everything we did that day was hands-on and done in groups (a few slides…some short stories). We were a room full of people saying “yes,” thinking fast, and supporting each other.

We played improv games like Yes, And, which teaches the power of agreement — how saying yes opens doors to collaboration and creativity. (You can read more about that in my post From No way! To Yes, and... )

We also did One Word at a Time Stories, a hilariously unpredictable exercise that’s all about setting your teammates up for success. (Stay tuned for a future post about that one.)

Of course we did “Woosh”, which is possibly the greatest activity ever. (to learn that one you have to hire me!)

In each group activity, we saw the same pattern emerge: 100% participation, 100% buy-in, and 100% fun. People loosened up, took risks, and connected. That’s what psychological safety looks like — when everyone feels safe to play, share, and maybe even look a little silly in the name of learning.

Leadership Lessons from Jugglers

To mix things up, we watched a few short videos — not of CEOs or motivational speakers, but of jugglers. Yes, really.

We looked at two performers: Anthony Gatto, the record-breaking Cirque du Soleil juggler known for his flawless precision, and Michael Davis, a comic juggler whose charm and humor make him instantly relatable.

Then came the leadership questions:

“Which of these two would you rather be led by? Which one would your team prefer? Which one are you?

The discussion that followed was brilliant. Some valued Gatto’s mastery and discipline; others admired Davis’s warmth and humor. But the real takeaway was this: great leaders can balance both. They can pursue excellence like Gatto while keeping the human connection and levity of Davis.

Building Connection Through Play

We also talked about the importance of connection — that invisible glue that holds teams together. Strong teams don’t just meet deadlines; they know each other. They laugh together. They have inside jokes. They might even play Wordle together. (I wrote a post about that one, too — Wordle and Workplace Culture.)

Those small, intentional moments of connection pay huge dividends. They build trust, empathy, and resilience — the foundations of strong workplace culture.

Leadership Takeaways

Here are a few simple truths that came to life during those three hours:

• Play builds trust. When people laugh together, they let their guard down.

• Saying “yes” creates momentum. Innovation starts with openness, not opposition.

• Connection fuels performance. Teams that know each other work better together.

• You don’t need a retreat to recharge. Sometimes 15 minutes of fun can shift an entire team’s energy.

The workshop flew by. And while the exercises were simple, the impact was anything but. The laughter was real. The insights were deep. And the energy in the room reminded all of us that sometimes, the most powerful leadership development happens when you’re simply having fun.

Scott Parker leads leadership and team-building workshops that blend improv, play, and practical leadership skills. Learn more at www.scottparkerleadership.com.