Join Jolynn Ledgerwood, certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, on "Play for Performance," a podcast dedicated to transforming workplaces through play and creativity. Each episode features insightful conversations with professionals who integrate fun and innovative strategies to enhance leadership, communication, and team building. Discover how incorporating LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and other playful approaches can boost team performance, foster collaboration, and create a vibrant organizational culture. Whether you're a leader, manager, or team member, tune in to gain practical tips and inspiring stories that will elevate your workplace dynamics. Available on all major podcast platforms.
https://elevateyourtalent.co/
Human Connection as a Leadership Strategy with Lee Colan and Julie Davis-Colan
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews CEO advisors Lee Colan and Julie Davis-Colan about how human connection drives leadership effectiveness and business growth.
31 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
From Autopilot to Alignment: Leading with Values, Curiosity, and Play with Ann Sheu
Some careers end with a closing argument. Ann Sheu started there—and then shifted when life forced a reset. After losing her father and watching her in-laws separate, she and her husband had to confront a hard question: were they building the life they actually wanted, or just following the script.
That moment led Ann from law into coaching and EOS implementation, where she now works with entrepreneurial families and leaders to align values, vision, and daily rhythms so success doesn’t come at the cost of the people who matter most. As a mother of four, she brings a practical lens to the real tension between ambition and family life—especially the part most plans forget: play.
In this conversation with host Jolynn Ledgerwood, Ann explains why curiosity beats quick problem-solving, how feedback becomes normal (not personal) when it’s built into the operating cadence, and what values have to do with the triggers that show up in leadership and at home. You’ll leave with clear ways to strengthen culture, reduce friction, and make progress without burning out.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:12 - "Life's Wake-Up Calls"
05:03 - "Embracing Values and Play"
09:28 - "Becoming a Better, Clearer Leader"
10:38 - Balancing Visionary Leadership Challenges
15:40 - Work, Play, and Team Focus
17:42 - Creating Playful Breaks
21:11 - "Leaders Must Slow Problem-Solving"
23:37 - "Connect Through LEGO Conversations"
27:27 - Outro
Quotes:
"When you really know who you are and what you want, you can filter out the noise and distractions and truly live life intentionally."- Ann Sheu
"Transforming workplace culture doesn’t happen overnight, but every small step toward play and connection makes a difference."- Jolynn Ledgerwood
Key Takeaways:
Define Success on Your Terms
Lead with Emotional Awareness
Normalize Open Feedback
Infuse Play in Everyday Life
Lead with Curiosity, Not Just Solutions
Know Who You Are and What You Want
Nurture Playful Engagement
Connect with Ann Sheu
Website: http://www.mpoweredjourney.com/ (http://www.mpoweredjourney.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpowered-journey1/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpowered-journey1/)
Connect with the Host:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Jolynnledgerwood/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolynnledgerwood/)
Website:https://elevateyourtalent.co/ (https://elevateyourtalent.co/)
Powered by: http://heartcastmedia.com (http://heartcastmedia.com)
17 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Innovation That Actually Works: Psychological Safety, Play, and Leading Across Cultures with Natalie Born
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews Natalie Born, founder and CEO of Innovation Meets Leadership, about fostering psychological safety and innovation across cultures.
3 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Leading from the Heart: How Creativity Transforms Workplace Culture with Dr. Erika Powell
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews Dr. Erika Powell, CEO of Powell Consulting Group, about using creative rituals to transform workplace culture and drive performance.
2 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT
Storytelling, Creativity, and Disruptive Branding with Jeff Abracen
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews communication expert Jeff Abracen about using storytelling and creativity to build strong business connections and help brands stand out with engaging narratives.
18 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Kate Byrne on Intentional Leadership, Civil Discourse, and the Power of Play
Kate Byrne, CEO, discusses intentional leadership and civil discourse with Jolynn Ledgerwood, revealing how incorporating play and humor enhances team dynamics and fosters a positive workplace culture in this interview.
4 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
Maximizing Learning and Development at Microsoft with Monesh Bulchandani
Microsoft Learning Lead Monesh Bulchandani discusses with host Jolynn Ledgerwood how learning and development strategies drive organizational growth, emphasizing empathy and creativity in the age of AI in this interview.
21 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
Redefining Work: How Play Sparks Innovation with Steve Rix
CEO Steve Rix discusses with host Jolynn Ledgerwood how integrating play transforms workplace culture, boosts team energy, and enhances productivity, offering insights for leaders to foster innovation in this interview episode.
7 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
Strategic Whimsy & Joyful Leadership with Bob Goff
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author, about strategic whimsy and joyful leadership, revealing how playfulness transforms work and inspires meaningful impact.
30 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Play Boosts Workplace Performance with Gary Ware
Gary Ware, Breakthrough Play founder, shares with host Jolynn Ledgerwood how professionals use play as a strategy for resilience and high performance in the workplace, in this interview.
23 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
Transforming Work Culture Through Playful Innovation with Chris Bent
Founder Chris Bent discusses with host Jolynn Ledgerwood how Piccles uses collaborative drawing to foster creativity and connection among professionals, offering insights into playful innovation in the workplace in this interview.
16 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
Transforming Teams Through Play with Jen Ables
Event facilitator Jen Ables discusses with host Jolynn Ledgerwood how incorporating play into team-building activities, both in-person and virtually, cultivates collaboration, boosts workplace satisfaction, and enhances overall productivity in this interview.
9 Sept 2025
Mastering Event Engagement and Community Building with Liz Lathan
Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews Liz Lathan, CEO of Club Ichi, exploring how to build engaging communities and design events that foster belonging and authentic connection.
3 Sept 2025
Master Authentic Storytelling and Public Speaking with Will Greenblatt
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews Will Greenblatt, CEO and co-founder of Out Loud Speakers School, on mastering authentic storytelling and public speaking to build deeper connections and achieve professional success.
26 Aug 2025
Practical Play Techniques for Teams with Kirsten Anderson
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews play expert Kirsten Anderson, founder of Integrate Play Solutions, about practical techniques for integrating playfulness into team dynamics and leadership.
28 May 2025
Workplace Culture and Team Engagement with Jeff Harry
Positive psychology speaker Jeff Harry discusses with Jolynn Ledgerwood how incorporating play strategically enhances leadership, fosters innovation, and creates psychologically safe workplaces in this interview.
21 May 2025
Podcast to Pipeline Strategies with Molly Ruland
Host Jolynn Ledgerwood interviews Molly Ruland, founder of Heartcast Media, about podcast strategies that drive business growth.
14 May 2025
Enhancing Team Innovation with LEGO Serious Play with David Ledgerwood
Welcome to Play for Performance. In this episode, David Ledgerwood takes on the role of interviewer to introduce Jolynn Ledgerwood, the driving force behind the podcast. Together, they explore the impact of workplace play and how strategies like LEGO Serious Play can unlock potential within organizations. Jolynn discusses her mission to transform traditional business environments into hubs of innovation and engagement. Whether you’re a leader looking to enhance team dynamics, a coach seeking effective facilitation methods, or someone who values a more interactive work culture, this conversation offers valuable insights. Discover how integrating play into performance fosters better ideas, stronger teams, and meaningful growth at every level.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:10 - "Coaching with Lego Creativity"
05:11 - Empowering Collaboration through LEGO Play
08:15 - Creative Expression with LEGO Builds
12:25 - Building Complexity with Lego Models
13:50 - Collaborative Building and Negotiation
19:13 - Stakeholder Management Strategy Insights
21:26 - "Active Workplace Benefits for Engagement"
26:52 - Personalized Coaching Through LEGO Play
29:47 - Global Network of Play Facilitators
31:34 - "Podcast Interview and Contact Info"
32:08 - Outro
Quotes:
"Play unlocks our brainpower, uniting us as a team ready to build and grow together."- Jolynn Ledgerwood
"Accessing 80% more brainpower through play delivers incredible returns. Play drives our collective progress."- David Ledgerwood
Key Takeaways:
Play Isn’t Just for Kids—It’s for Creative, Effective Teams
Everyone Gets a Voice, a Build, and a Say
“Hard Play” Means Fun with Purpose
The Science Behind Hands-On Play is Real
Custom Kits, Custom Breakthroughs
Play Welcomes Everyone to the Table
Practical, Proven, and Global
Coaching That Empowers Individuals and Teams
When You Bring Play Into Work, Everyone Wins
Call to Action:
To connect directly with Jolynn via email: joelynn@elevateyourtalent.co
Curious about the Primal Question quiz? Take the quiz at: joleneledge.coach (https://joleneledge.coach) and send Jolynn your results for a quick chat about your outcome.
Connect with the Host:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolynnledgerwood/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolynnledgerwood/)
Website:https://elevateyourtalent.co/ (https://elevateyourtalent.co/)
Powered by:http://heartcastmedia.com (http://heartcastmedia.com)
10 Mar 2025
Pilot Episode
Join Jolynn Ledgerwood, certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, on "Play for Performance," a podcast dedicated to transforming workplaces through play and creativity. Each episode features insightful conversations with professionals who integrate fun and innovative strategies to enhance leadership, communication, and team building. Discover how incorporating LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and other playful approaches can boost team performance, foster collaboration, and create a vibrant organizational culture. Whether you're a leader, manager, or team member, tune in to gain practical tips and inspiring stories that will elevate your workplace dynamics. Available on all major podcast platforms.
https://elevateyourtalent.co/
Inside a recent episode
Human Connection as a Leadership Strategy with Lee Colan and Julie Davis-Colan
Published 9 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So these programs really aren't making a difference. And so we contend, and that's why we're working on this new book on how do we take a more one-to-one approach, equip leaders with the ability to be able to create connections with their team and equipped as team members on ways to connect so that we can get the real benefits of human connection in a way that's effective, not a programmatic approach. And I think even if you looked at a family as an example, a little microcosm, you can all be in the same room, but without intentionality, those connections and that fabric isn't woven together. And I just think for many years, we've kind of been laissez-faire about that. […]
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