The Power of Play: Why Teams Crave Connection in a Digital World

The Return of Connection

In an era of constant notifications and hybrid calendars, something surprising is happening. People are looking for ways to reconnect, not just online, but in person.

Recent studies show that while digital tools make communication faster, they don’t necessarily make it richer. According to research published in Nature (2023), face-to-face interaction has a stronger impact on emotional well-being and social trust than digital communication.

And in 2025, Gallup reported that only 32% of employees in the U.S. are engaged at work, with “disconnection from purpose and mission” emerging as a leading challenge for leaders. In short, people aren’t just tired. They’re disconnected from meaning, from each other, from why they do what they do.

As organizations double down on AI tools, dashboards, and automation, employees are quietly longing for something deeply human: moments of presence and belonging.

Why Experiences Matter More Than Content

That’s where experiential learning comes in and why experiences like the Unlock Your Brilliance Game are resonating with teams across industries.

Board games might seem like a nostalgic escape, but they’re actually a reflection of what modern work is missing: shared focus, open dialogue, and collective purpose. Around a table, people don’t hide behind titles or screens. They collaborate, listen, challenge, and co-create in real time.

It’s not about competition. It’s about clarity.

In these sessions, leaders and teams surface what’s working, identify what’s draining energy, and design strategies together without the heavy formality of meetings or slide decks.

That alignment is where real transformation happens, not when everyone thinks alike, but when diverse perspectives move in the same direction.

 

 

Gatherings That Bring Meaning Back

November naturally invites reflection, gratitude, and connection. For organizations, it’s also a time for performance reviews, strategy discussions, and planning sessions for the year ahead.

What if those conversations could be both strategic and human?

What if clarity, collaboration, and inclusion didn’t have to feel like another meeting, but like a meaningful gathering?

Experiences like the Unlock Your Brilliance Game are designed for exactly that. They create a space where professionals can pause, think, and engage with purpose regardless of hierarchy, personality type, or generation.

Because across generations, industries, and backgrounds, there’s one thing all teams share: the desire to feel connected, seen, and part of something that matters.

Try This Before the Year Ends

Before you rush into next year’s planning cycle, try this small experiment:

Gather your team, not for another meeting, but for a conversation.
 

Ask:

• What gave us energy this year?
  
  
• What drained it?
  
  
• What do we want to build together next?
  
  

Then, watch what happens when people are given space to think, listen, and play with purpose.

Because Connection Isn’t a Trend. It’s a Need.

Technology can help us communicate.

But only connection helps us understand.
 

And sometimes, the most strategic thing a team can do is gather around a table, roll the dice, and remember what working together truly feels like.

With brilliance,
Lu