The Business of Being Brilliant · 2026-02-15 · 30 min
Is fun at work a nice-to-have or a must-have? In this episode, Helen Beenham sits down with Group HR Director and people leader Alys Martin to explore how organisations can create a culture of authentic, inclusive fun and why it matters more than ever in high-pressure work environments. Drawing from her strategic HR experience in tech, engineering, and publishing, Alys shares practical wisdom on why laughter and levity are vital for mental health, boosting team engagement, and creating genuine bonds at work. Helen and Alys discuss: ⭐️ Why fun needs to be authentic and driven by teams, not imposed from the top-down ⭐️ How “forced fun” and how exclusive social activities can inadvertently leave people out ⭐️ Why fun can be “emotional oxygen” and how it helps people break up serious, stressful days and recover resilience ⭐️The best ways for leaders to humanise their role, build trust, and show vulnerability ⭐️ Tips on how leaders can read the room and ensure fun doesn’t end up hurting or excluding anyone ⭐️ Why fun isn’t always frivolous and how a few minutes of laughter can restore perspective and balance in tough times.
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