FUEL FOR THOUGHT: Kelsey Kates on Play at Work

What happens when you bring play into the workplace? According to Kelsey Kates, Google’s Global Head of Play, you unlock collaboration, confidence and ideas that would never surface in more rigid environments. In our latest FUEL For Thought session, Director of Brand Experience Jonny Boyle sat down with Kelsey to explore how playfulness can shape culture, strengthen teams and spark better work.

Kelsey’s role sits at the intersection of creativity, psychology and experience design. Her work focuses on creating moments that encourage people to think differently, connect more openly and rediscover curiosity in their day to day.

Why Play Belongs in the Workplace

Kelsey spoke about the way play removes the fear of getting things wrong. When that fear dissolves, people take risks, challenge assumptions and build ideas together with less hesitation. Play creates psychological safety. It opens the door to collaboration and makes room for the type of thinking that leads to genuine innovation.
She also shared the research behind play and its influence on team performance. When people feel energised and engaged, their problem solving improves, communication becomes more fluid and new possibilities emerge. Play, she explained, is not a distraction from work. It is a catalyst for better work.

Designing for Curiosity and Connection

Inside Google, Kelsey’s team crafts experiences that prompt people to reconnect with creativity. Sometimes these are small, simple moments designed to shift perspective. Other times they take the form of large scale experiences where teams share, explore and build together. Each initiative acts as a reminder that creativity thrives when people feel supported and free to experiment.
The conversation also highlighted how leaders can embed playfulness into their own teams. It begins with permission to approach challenges differently and continues with intentional design. When curiosity is encouraged, people feel more confident to contribute, collaborate and try new approaches.

Kelsey’s insights reinforced something we see every day at FUEL. When people feel connected, seen and energised, creativity flourishes. This edition of FUEL For Thought offered a powerful reminder that play is not an add on. It is a mindset that can transform culture and unlock better work across organisations. More conversations with leaders, makers and innovators are on the way.