A recent study found that playful people are more optimistic, manage life’s stresses better, and derive more joy from life in general, than the rest of us. For me, that immediately raised the question: how can speakers – and leaders – be more playful?

We have a deadly epidemic of seriousness—and even gloom—permeating our Western world right now (I’m not attempting to speak for the East, but I’m guessing there too). And while there are plenty of real reasons to see life as a half-full container, it’s precisely in times like this that we need to show our resilience. We need to remind ourselves—and each other—that we are not just problem-solvers and task-completers. We are also joy-makers, connection-builders, and, yes, sometimes even goofballs.

Playfulness is a great way to respond to life’s challenges—not by denying the reality of hardship, but by refusing to let it define us. And in the realms of leadership and public speaking, playfulness isn’t frivolous. It’s powerful.

So, again, how can leaders and public speakers demonstrate their playfulness in ways that lift the spirits of their employees and audiences?

Start with your tone. Playfulness doesn’t have to mean telling jokes or donning clown shoes. It can begin with your attitude—how you enter the room, how you greet people, how you react to the inevitable surprises and missteps. A leader who smiles easily, who uses self-deprecating humor, who isn’t afraid to laugh at a mistake, instantly lowers the collective stress level of the group. A speaker who opens with a light story, a moment of humanity, or even a curious observation invites the audience to relax and engage.

Playfulness is also about curiosity. Curious people explore, question, and experiment—without the fear of looking foolish. Leaders who model curiosity signal that not knowing is okay. That’s huge. It makes it safe for others to speak up, to brainstorm, to challenge the status quo. It creates psychological safety, which, as Google’s famous internal research found, is the #1 predictor of high-performing teams.

Likewise, playfulness fosters creativity. If you’ve ever seen a speaker use a prop, a movie clip, or an unexpected twist in a story, you’ve witnessed how a playful approach can make an idea stick. A leader who turns a weekly meeting into a themed check-in—“What superhero are you this week and why?”—isn’t just having fun. They’re creating novelty, which fires the dopamine, which fuels motivation.

Of course, playfulness must be grounded in purpose. Too much levity at the wrong moment can come across as tone-deaf. But purposeful play – delivered with awareness and sincerity – can connect us to each other and to the moment.

At a time when the world feels tense 24/7, uncertain 365, and often just heavy, playfulness might be one of the most underrated leadership skills we have. It’s not about making light of serious issues; it’s about lighting the way through them.

So, the next time you lead a meeting or step on a stage, ask yourself: where’s the joy? What’s the surprise? How are we going to light a spark?

The people in front of you are waiting for you to light them up.