Play Genius

Rediscover the power of play to transform the way you work, lead, love and live.What if the answer to exhaustion and disconnection has been hiding in plain sight all along?We're told to work harder, climb higher and achieve more. But somewhere along the way, many of us forgot how to play - and our bodies, minds, relationships and workplaces are paying the price.In Play Genius, Portia Tung, The Play Alchemist and founder of The School of Play, shows that play isn't frivolous. It's a form of intelligence we're all born with, and one of the most powerful resources we have for creativity, emotional wellbeing and leadership. Drawing on a decade of research across play science, neuroscience, psychology and systemic coaching, as well as 25 years of helping leaders and teams thrive, Portia reveals why so many adults lose their capacity to play and how to reclaim it.Playful and practical, the book offers sixteen tools and exercises alongside Portia's candid personal journey from emotional disconnection to creative vitality. You'll explore the Four Golden Rules of Play, uncover your own play history, discover how emotions and the body shape the way we play, and learn what play intelligence means for you and the people you lead.Whether you're a leader building a culture where people flourish, a coach or facilitator seeking fresh approaches, a parent longing for deeper connection, or simply someone ready for more joy in everyday life, Play Genius is your invitation to play your way back home - to yourself, your loved ones and your life's purpose.'Even for long-time play researchers like us... after reading this book, we have a renewed spring in our step!' - Sergio and Vivien Pellis, co-authors of The Playful Brain