The Loyola University Magazine for Spring 2025 included a helpful article I wanted to pass along.  Isabel Bilotta, PhD is the head of learning and innovation at Deutser, a Houston consulting company, where she leads research on leadership development and culture initiatives.  She shares the following tips:

1) Get some air!  Create a culture where stepping outside is seen as a productive pause rather than a luxury.  Encourage your team to take breaks outside or hold meetings in outdoor spaces.  Sunlight boosts serotonin, improving mood and focus.

2) Rething Meetings:  Reinvent your meetings to spark engagement and fun.  Incorporate creative elements like sharing a meme to kick off discussions or hosting a Jeopardy style quiz. A little innovation can go a long way in creating excitement, fostering inclusion and boosting morale. 

3) Make it a Game:  Incorporate fun activities that also have a purpose.  Games can be a safe way to explore new ideas, break down hierarchies and encourage collaborative thinking.

4) Allocate "Play" Time: Taking a cue from companies like Google and Patagonia, allocate time for free exploration at work.  Allow employees to use work time to pursue passion projects, experiment with new ideas, or simply play with innovative tools.

5)  Move Together:  Movement is a powerful way to foster collaboration and creativity.  Incorporate walking meetings or use other opportunities to break free of the confines of traditional work settings. 

Thank you to Loyola University for providing this article.