By Shruti Menon Seeboo
In today’s fast-paced and often-stressful work environment, it’s easy to forget the power of play. But according to Jayraj Lutchmun, founder of LetsBe, injecting a dose of childhood fun into the workplace can unlock a wealth of benefits, from increased creativity and employee engagement to improved resilience and overall well-being.
“At LetsBe,” explains Lutchmun, “we’re on a mission to shift our employees’ mindset away from traditional, rigid work habits. We believe that fostering a culture of creativity and groundbreaking innovation requires us to embrace the imaginative possibilities that lie within.” Lutchmun draws inspiration from his own childhood memories, particularly the boundless creativity he experienced playing inside a cardboard box. “Within those corrugated walls,” he recalls, “I could be an astronaut exploring space, a deep-sea diver, or a race car driver. It taught me that limitations are often self-imposed, and that with a bit of imagination, anything is possible.”
This childhood experience serves as a powerful metaphor for Lutchmun’s approach to work. “Just like that box,” he says, “the workplace should be a space where our minds can roam free, where we’re encouraged to think beyond the conventional and embrace the ‘what ifs’.” But how can leaders create a culture where fun and creativity thrive without compromising on professionalism and goals? Lutchmun believes it’s about finding the right balance. “Innovation is crucial for any company’s survival,” he emphasises. “While some departments may focus on routine processes, even those teams can benefit from a playful approach. It can spark new ideas for improving efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and ultimately, driving business success.”
Lutchmun underscores this point: “The moment a company doesn’t innovate, it’s dying. There are different segments of the company: those who are in innovation and those departments which are just process. Still all companies have customers and even those working in the routine process department are serving a customer at the end of the day. Culture of fun, creativity and playful moments enhances the way employees’ ability to think outside the box and come up with new ideas: new ways of doing business, how to make existing processes more efficient, or even on how to increase the customer satisfaction experience.”
Research consistently shows a link between happiness and productivity, and Lutchmun’s experience echoes these findings. “Injecting fun into daily routines,” he explains, “boosts morale, reduces stress, and increases employee engagement. It refreshes the mind, leading to greater focus and creativity. Plus, shared enjoyable experiences strengthen team bonds, fostering collaboration and driving better outcomes.”
Moreover, shared enjoyable experiences strengthen team bonds, essential for effective collaboration and successful outcomes. A fun-filled workplace also promotes a positive company culture, attracting and retaining top talent, and encourages a safe environment for risk-taking and learning. Overall, integrating fun into the work environment not only improves individual performance but also contributes to a healthier, more collaborative, and innovative organisational culture.”
Lutchmun also emphasises the valuable life lessons learned in childhood. “Building a kite with my friends,” he recalls, “taught me the importance of teamwork, creativity, and perseverance. These lessons are incredibly valuable in the workplace, fostering collaboration, encouraging innovative problem-solving, and building resilience to overcome challenges.”
He further elaborates on this point: “The childhood experience of collaboratively building a complicated kite and then watching it soar can serve as a profound metaphor for fostering a dynamic and successful work culture. This example teaches the importance of teamwork, as diverse skills and collective effort are essential to complete complex tasks successfully, much like assembling and launching a kite. It also underscores the value of creativity and innovative problem-solving, encouraging employees to think outside the box and experiment without fear of failure. Moreover, the perseverance required to tweak and retry a kite that doesn’t fly initially mirrors the resilience needed to overcome professional setbacks. Finally, the joy and satisfaction derived from seeing a kite fly echo the importance of celebrating team successes in the workplace, boosting morale and motivating employees. Integrating these lessons can create a more collaborative, innovative, and resilient organizational culture, enhancing both employee satisfaction and productivity.”
In today’s demanding work environment, many employees struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance and cope with stress. Lutchmun believes that adding fun elements to the workday can be a powerful antidote. “For parents juggling multiple responsibilities,” he explains, “work can sometimes feel monotonous and overwhelming. But mind and fun activities, like team-building exercises or creative challenges, can break this monotony, stimulate the mind, and provide a much-needed respite from stress.”
He further elaborates on this point: “For an employee who is also a parent, days typically filled with routine tasks—from preparing kids for school to managing household duties and navigating work responsibilities—can quickly become monotonous, affecting creativity and resilience. This repetitive cycle can make coping with sudden stress at work even more daunting. Introducing fun elements at work, such as team-building activities, creative challenges, or playful breaks, can significantly break this monotony. When an employee participates in enjoyable activities, it not only stimulates different areas of the brain, enhancing creativity, but also builds resilience by providing a joyful respite from daily stressors. This shift in environment transforms their approach to work, making them more productive and better equipped to handle stress. The infusion of fun into the workday changes their entire mindset, offering a fresh perspective that can make even routine tasks feel more manageable and enjoyable. Ultimately, adding excitement and enjoyment to the workplace is crucial for employees, especially those balancing demanding home and work lives. It not only enhances their work performance but also improves their overall well-being and work-life balance.”
By fostering a culture that embraces play and creativity, leaders can unlock a wealth of benefits for their employees and their organisations.
As Lutchmun concludes, “Adding fun to the workplace isn’t just about having a good time; it’s about creating a more engaging, productive, and fulfilling work experience for everyone.” In essence, Jayraj Lutchmun’s message is clear: Embrace your inner child, unleash your creativity, and watch your work flourish!
