Why you should laugh and play at work | Blake Cohen | TEDxWilliam James College

Organizations everywhere are facing a growing crisis of employee disengagement — from quiet quitting to rising turnover — all while struggling to maintain a positive, energized workplace culture. Without an engaged workforce, companies risk lower productivity, higher burnout, and less employee loyalty. But what if the solution isn’t stricter rules or higher expectations... what if it’s laughter and play? In this TEDx Talk, Blake Cohen, Leadership and Corporate Speaker, explores how humor, playfulness, and connection at work aren’t just fun — they’re essential. Backed by research from neuroscience, social psychology, and organizational psychology, this talk introduces two culture-shifting ideas: Trickle-Down Silliness and Professional Playfulness.

If you take anything away from this talk, let it be this: Work can still be productive, meaningful, and successful — while also being playful, connected, and fun. It’s time to build workplaces people want to show up to. Let’s laugh a little more. Let’s play a little more. And let’s make work a place where people get their work done while enjoying the work they're doing. Blake Cohen is a human-driven leadership and organizational psychology consultant who has set out to shift workplace dynamics toward connection, purpose, productivity, and engagement. Finishing his doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Psychology at William James College, Blake holds a master’s degree in Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Formerly a successful entrepreneur in mental healthcare, he now focuses his diverse expertise on executive coaching, workplace training, and organizational consulting. Blake is also a best-selling author, international speaker, and host of "The Workplace Wonderers” podcast. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx