Episode 62: Jeff Harry - Rediscover Your Play

Today’s guest is Jeff Harry. My conversation with Jeff will feel a bit different than most of the podcasts I’ve done. Instead of my traditional focus of unraveling the stories, takeaways, and lessons from my guest’s life (which we do get into a little), most of my discussion with Jeff centers around one topic – incorporating more play into one’s life and workplace. I know what you might be thinking, who has time for play? I’ve got this business, this job, relationship, kids, etc. Well, what if engaging in more play could help you tap into your truest self and feel happier and perform better every day? That’s what Jeff shows to companies and individuals. He’s worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day. He’s also presented at conferences such as INBOUND and SXSW, and was recently selected by BambooHR and Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020 for his organizational development work around dealing with toxic people in the workplace. Jeff might be the highest energy person I’ve had on the podcast, and I think you’ll find my conversation with him to be an interesting change of pace.

Timestamps

00:02:38 Rise of Superman book passage reaction

00:04:52 When did we decide that play was a waste of time for adults?

00:07:03 When did Jeff's exploration into play begin?

00:09:55 Did his parents encourage him to play?

00:13:30 Affluent deadness

00:15:37 Reconnecting with your childhood

00:19:34 Incorporating play into mechanical engineering

00:20:58 Overview of Rediscover Your Play

00:23:15 Addressing the toxic person at work

00:27:04 Navigating uncertainty through play

00:28:55 Problem with fixating on the result

00:30:55 Will play ever become mainstream?

00:33:05 Why make time for play?

00:34:57 How his work impacts company recruiters

00:37:31 How receptive are companies to Jeff's workshops?

00:40:26 The 8-hour workday

00:42:25 How he's adjusted to the pandemic

00:44:13 Why "play" plays an even more important role during the pandemic

00:48:51 What it means to actually play

00:51:43 Ultimate vision for Rediscover Your Play

00:53:30 What he wants to accomplish 5 years from now

00:54:45 His daily routine

00:56:50 His driving force