Gaming at Work: How UPLIFT Desk Builds Stronger Teams Through Play
We’ve all been there – you’ve been working hard for hours, and your brain needs a little break. But will the boss come down on you when the games come out? Gaming at work has long been dismissed as a distraction, but research shows it can actually be great for building teams, driving collaboration, creativity, and productivity.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “gaming can build cognitive, social, and emotional skills that are highly relevant to organizational success.” As more companies recognize the benefits of play, it’s clear that integrating gaming and other creative activities can transform workspaces into dynamic, high-performing environments.
At our UPLIFT Desk offices in Austin, TX, we’ve seen this firsthand. It all started with Nerf guns in the office—a fun but admittedly distracting way to blow off steam for team members in an open office space. To balance the chaos, our sales team began working on group puzzles during breaks. It was such a hit that the marketing team followed suit. Now, sales and marketing take turns tackling puzzles together, creating a shared experience that strengthens bonds across departments. These moments remind us that play isn’t just fun—it’s a tool for building trust, creativity, and recharging for the challenges ahead.
Play Hard, Work Smarter: How A Gaming Workplace Builds Better Teams
1. Building Trust Through Shared Experiences
Trust forms the bedrock of high-performing teams, yet many organizations struggle to nurture it effectively. Strategic activities like gaming create informal spaces where employees can authentically connect and build lasting camaraderie. When coupled with transparent communication that drives meaningful collaboration and teams develop deeper trust.
For example, the UPLIFT Conference Table (Ping-Pong size) is a versatile way to encourage team bonding. Employees can engage in friendly competition during breaks, strengthening trust and rapport. For added excitement, try adjusting the height of the table during a match (with everyone’s consent, of course) to create a memorable and dynamic experience.
2. Encouraging Open Communication and Healthy Conflict
Fear of conflict often stifles innovation. A gaming workplace encourages constructive debates and problem-solving by allowing employees to collaborate in low-stakes environments. Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons are particularly effective at fostering creativity, teamwork, and communication.
To ensure these activities don’t disrupt the rest of the office, the new UPLIFT Spaces Wall System can help create defined areas for gaming, brainstorming, or even coloring book sessions. Its modular design allows teams to create private spaces that balance fun and focus, ensuring that play enhances rather than distracts from work.
3. Recharging for Better Focus and Results
Burnout is a real challenge for modern teams, and short breaks for engaging activities can reduce stress while boosting productivity. As the Harvard Business Review notes, gaming improves cognitive skills like memory and reaction time while also managing stress. Activities like puzzles or coloring books are equally effective for providing mental resets without overstimulating.
Creating dedicated zones for these activities equipped with versatile office furniture like height-adjustable desks or providing recharging areas to game and relax like the UPLIFT Desk Hammock—can help employees return to work with renewed focus. These areas can also double as collaboration hubs, reinforcing team dynamics.
4. Mixing and Mingling for Collaboration
Company parties and social gatherings are more than just a perk—they’re essential for fostering cross-departmental collaboration and breaking down silos. Incorporating playful activities like ping pong tournaments or collaborative games into these events can create a relaxed atmosphere that sparks new ideas.
At UPLIFT Desk, we believe that blending work and play leads to stronger, more cohesive teams. We use the Dillo collaborative furniture system in our spaces. The modular Dillo collection allows you to create flexible spaces that encourage mingling without compromising the productivity of the office environment. Our team re-arranges them every month, depending on how our team needs change or how our team grows.
How to Start a Culture of Play
Here’s how you can integrate gaming and creative play into your workplace:
- Create Dedicated Spaces: Equip areas with flexible furniture like the UPLIFT Ping-Pong Sized Conference Table, modular walls, and UPLIFT Desk Hammocks to balance play and focus.
- Start Small: Introduce one new activity, such as a team puzzle table or game night, to gauge interest and participation.
- Include Everyone: Offer a variety of options, from video games to analog activities like coloring books, to cater to diverse preferences.
- Foster Team Spirit: Use team-based games to build collaboration and accountability, reinforcing shared goals over individual accomplishments.
- Encourage Inclusivity: Normalize gaming and creative activities by incorporating them into team chats and regular meetings.
Workspaces That Balance Productivity and Play
At UPLIFT Desk, we’ve always believed that great workspaces are about more than just productivity—they’re about connection, creativity, and yes, even play. From our early days of Nerf battles to today’s collaborative puzzles and ping pong tournaments, we’ve seen how play transforms teams and strengthens bonds.
Whether it’s providing tools to help teams collaborate or creating spaces for recharging through play, our solutions help organizations build better, more dynamic teams.
Ready to create a workspace where work and play thrive together? Explore UPLIFT Desk office solutions today.