Creating Belonging
Retention has been cited as the number one challenge facing UK employers in 2024. A recent survey by CIPHR showed that over half of the 300 employers surveyed, gave retaining their employees as their biggest challenge.
So, how can you go about improving retention at your organisation?
Well, we could do worse than turning to my favourite quote for some inspiration for how we can create work environments where people want to stay (and play).
"Man is Most Nearly Himself When He Achieves the Seriousness of a Child at Play" – Heraclitus
There’s something timeless about Heraclitus’ words. This quote, spoken long before smartphones, the internet, social media, and modern workplace movements like Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), and Wellbeing, still resonates deeply. In fact, in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, it may be more relevant than ever, encapsulating much of what we aim for in creating inclusive and healthy work environments where people feel they belong.
The Child at Play: A Perfect Balance
When you think of a child at play, what comes to mind? Creativity, joy, spontaneity, curiosity, focus, and perhaps even a bit of wonder. But look deeper, and you see something more: an intensity, a full immersion in the present moment. Play for a child is not frivolous—it’s a serious activity. The child is fully engaged, learning, growing, and pushing boundaries. This is the kind of energy and focus that we strive for as adults, yet often struggle to recapture.
Children go about their business of play, without prejudice and without fear of ridicule or failure. This is one reason why children are able to learn at an almost exponential rate.
The modern workplace can learn a lot from this. A work environment where people can be their authentic selves, where they feel safe to be curious, to make mistakes, and to explore new ideas without fear of judgment, is one that fosters creativity and innovation. This is why the "seriousness of a child at play" is such a powerful metaphor for the modern worker, especially in environments that are truly inclusive and supportive of wellbeing.
EDI and Wellbeing
In recent years, organisations have made concerted efforts to foster Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and prioritise employee mental health with wellbeing programmes. These initiatives aim to create workplaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to work.
An inclusive workplace allows individuals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique perspectives. It nurtures diversity of thought, and when combined with a focus on wellbeing, it creates an environment where people can achieve their best work -where employees feel fully engaged, their mental and emotional wellbeing is supported, and they are free to innovate.
However, achieving this is more than merely ticking boxes or implementing policies. If this is the aim of your Organisation, then any budget spent on EDI initiatives or wellbeing consultants is a waste of time and money. If you’re serious about cultivating a culture that encourages the type of deep engagement and focus that a child exhibits during play then you’re potential for long-term, sustainable success increases significantly.
Relevance in Today’s Hyper-Connected World
In a world dominated by technology, constant notifications, and the pressure to be "always on," achieving the simplicity and focus of a child at play is harder than ever. But that’s exactly why it’s crucial. The distractions of modern life can pull us away from the things that matter—our work, our passions, and our connections with others.
Positively encouraging creativity, making space for breaks and allowing employees to unplug from the chaos for meaningful work time, can all bring people closer to that state of flow – the "seriousness of play" that Heraclitus referred to. In these spaces, individuals can thrive, innovate, and work in a way that feels natural and fulfilling.
How Do We Achieve This?
Achieving this balance is both an individual and organisational challenge.
This is not about sticking a fussball table in the corner of the office or installing a brightly coloured, twirly slide down from the mezzanine.
For leaders, it means creating an environment where employees feel safe, valued, and supported. It’s about setting expectations that prioritise mental health and encourage engagement over mere productivity. When was the last time you encouraged your employees to ‘down tools’ for the day and bring their talents to bear on something like an innovation day or hackathon? Clients we’ve worked with on such initiatives are always amazed by the level of collaboration, engagement and sheer volume of ideas that result.
A Hackathon is a great way to engage your people and generate innovative, creative solutions for your organisation. The HR Agency provide expert facilitators who combine inspiring methods to create energy and enthusiasm among participants.
For individuals, it’s about learning to set boundaries, engage deeply in tasks, and approach work with the curiosity and openness of a child. This might look like embracing new challenges with enthusiasm, finding joy in problem-solving, or even bringing a playful attitude to collaboration with colleagues. The most innovative ideas often come from a place of unselfconscious exploration—exactly the way children approach play.
Conclusion
Heraclitus’ words offer us an insight into how we can make your work environment a more attractive place – physically and virtually – increasing the likelihood that your employees will want to stick around and contribute to the success of your organisation. If you can create a workplace that is striving for inclusivity, creativity, and wellbeing, this mindset can be a key to unlocking potential. By creating spaces where your employees have a sense of belonging, where they feel free to immerse themselves fully, you can foster an environment where both individuals and your business flourishes.
In a sense, the ultimate goal is simple: to work with the kind of engagement and joy that a child brings to play—and to find in that play a seriousness, a purpose, and a fulfilment that connects us to our truest selves. I mean, who wouldn’t want to work there, right!
