142 M C K I N S EY Q UA RT E R LY Author Talks Go behind the bylines as the authors of books about workplace whimsy, accessible luxury, and online trust answer questions from McKinsey. Capstone Why Play Isn’t Just For Children In Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connec tion, and Sparks Creativity - (Avery/ Penguin Random House, 2025), designer Cas Holman challenges conventional views on productivity by inviting adults to rediscover the power of play. Q: You write that play is not the opposite of productivity. How can we achieve both? Cas Holman: They can be the same thing. Playing is productive. Play also has benefits—for mental health, physical health, and our social well-being. Integrating a playful mindset into almost all forms of work can lead to unexpected out comes, which is where innovation comes from. - Q: How can workplaces embrace and implement play? Cas Holman: It depends on what they are hoping for. I’ve worked with organizations where teams did not align. Through play, the teams got to know each other differently and could understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses beyond what was in a job description. In a somewhat hierarchical work- place, it’s often very hard to play. When I work in these environments, I set up ways that teams can really get into playing and collaborating with a new dynamic. One way involves playing so that participants can understand and communicate better. There can be room for bad ideas. A bad idea could mean many things. Sometimes if you can hang out with them or explore them, there’s often something that can be useful. Expanded versions of these interviews are available on McKinsey.com