Absolutely—if done well. Designing playful experiences, whether for a conference or an internal company event, works best when tailored to the participants’ needs, values, and goals.

Three key principles for real impact:

• Don’t be afraid to be provocative. Step outside the usual framework to energise participants.

• Reality is the best raw material. Use everyday situations for authenticity and relevance.

• Humour is the best seasoning. The right light moment can break tension and make people more open.

“The unexpected, surprising, new perspectives bring a sense of ease. And once people loosen up and there’s humour involved, even businesspeople connect more easily—they become more approachable. Then open communication happens faster, and we uncover topics we can learn from—pushing business forward,” says Barathi Tamás.

Want to explore this further? Listen to our latest Game Changers podcast episode with Barathi Tamás, now on our YouTube channel.