Ep. 113, All Work and No Play Makes Leaders Dangerous

All work and no play doesn’t make you dull—it makes you dangerous. When was the last time you truly played? Not performed, produced, or achieved—but actually played. Most leaders have forgotten how, and it’s quietly costing them creativity, energy, and connection. In this solo episode, Jenn Whitmer unpacks why play isn’t childish—it’s strategic. Drawing from neuroscience, leadership studies, and real-world examples, Jenn shows how play powers mastery, problem-solving, and joyful productivity. Without structures, joy gets swallowed by stress, disorganization, and reactivity.

Here’s What’s in the Episode:

1:12 The accreditation story that accidentally became a 10K run.
4:55 What research says about play, absenteeism, and creativity.
7:00 Why the absence of play leads to burnout, bullying, and toxic culture.
9:45 The five truths about play as a leadership practice.
12:00 How flow states and play circuits make you a better problem solver.
14:55 How to find your own play Persona.

Key Takeaway

Play is serious business. It’s the hidden engine of creativity, resilience, and joy that powers healthy leadership and thriving teams.

About the Host: Jenn Whitmer

Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her upcoming book Joyosity hits shelves December 9, 2025, offering leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results.

Resources & Links:

Preorder Joyosity:

Joyosity: How to Cultivate Intense Happiness in Work & Life (Even If Things Are What They Are) Joy isn’t extra. Joy is how you thrive.

This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish.

Free 99 Steps
Take the Play Persona Quiz. There are eight play personalities. Find your main play style and discover how to use your style to be a better leader, collaborate more efficiently, and have more joy at work.

Ready to Make a Plan:

Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what’s in the way, and how to move forward with traction.

Starting the Journey:

Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots.

Ready to Dive In:

Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership.

A Party for More:

Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter.

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