Why Play Might Be the Leadership Skill You’re Missing
Play is often dismissed as something we leave behind in childhood, but what if it’s actually one of the most important leadership skills we can develop? In this reflection inspired by a recent conversation with Dr. Linda Schubring, Nathan explores why play helps us get out of our heads, build stronger relationships, and become more resilient leaders. From coaching youth cross country to watching his own kids embrace new challenges, Nathan shares how play is really practice in disguise—and why the healthiest teams aren’t necessarily the ones that work the hardest, but the ones that create space for curiosity, trust, laughter, and shared experiences. If leadership is about helping people grow, perhaps it starts by remembering something many of us have forgotten: how to play.
