(5.05) Leadership and Serious Social Play

Serious. Social. Play. WTF?!?

On this episode, KG and Paul welcomed Chris Maxwell and Marcus Crow, the duo behind the consulting firm 10,000 Hours and the digital product company Pod & Hive to discuss their unique approach to leadership development, built on a conversation that began 18 years ago.

Their methodology centres on what they call "serious social play" - using simulated sandbox environments for teams to practice navigating complexity. These are not typical team-building exercises. 

The goal of these games is to shift the focus from the individuals ('nodes') to the 'links' between them. Most development targets individuals, leaving the crucial work of building effective group dynamics to chance. Marcus and Chris' work explores what happens in those links; how teams handle ambiguity, compete, or collaborate when faced with a novel problem, as they find themselves in a 'complex state'. By shortening the feedback loop between action and outcome, these simulations make the team's invisible dynamics visible and discussable.

This conversation highlights a simple but powerful idea: if you want teams to perform at their best, you have to give them space and time to practice, and to take that practice seriously. By embracing a high 'practice to play' ratio, teams build muscle to improve collaboration and help them navigate inevitable uncertainty of day-to-day organisational life.

Of course, this is only one in many topics of this free-wheeling conversation. What helped make it so fluid and effortless, apart from the amazing generosity of the guests, was an equally amazing wine! Our friends at Annandale Cellars provided a 2023 Gounyan Wines, Murrumbateman Syrah, a delicious, fruity red that will make every conversation an enjoyable one!

Sláinte friends!

Useful resources from this episode:

1. 10,000 Hours
2. PodandHive
3. Shivoo

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on [e-mail] or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!