#144 Play Is the Secret Weapon of Great Leadership | Aden Date

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Why are smart people so stupid?

It's the question Aden Date wanted me to ask him, and the answer reframes how I think about being a business owner.

Aden is a Perth-based performing artist, consultant, trainer and business owner, and to his knowledge, the only person in Australia doing improvised theatre for a living. His clients are scientists, surgeons and exhausted executives — some of the most serious people in the country. He is the author of Funny Business and has spoken on the ABC about the importance of play in adulthood.

In this conversation, we unpack what most leaders miss when they treat play as the opposite of productivity, why intelligence itself can become the thing keeping smart business owners stuck, and what it actually costs a business when its people stop being curious.

If you've been telling yourself you'll rest after the next launch, this is the episode I'd want you to hear first.

Mentioned in This Episode:

09:27 The Drucker creativity study and what five-year-olds know that adults forget 

27:41 The real cost of burnout, turnover and disengaged teams 

30:43 Why psychological safety is the number one predictor of team performance 

35:38 Why Netflix is the enemy of a well-lived life 

40:34 Deep tissue listening and what to actually hear when your team brings you an idea 53:22 What Daoism understands about business that MBA programs miss 

56:23 Why are smart people so stupid? 

About Aden:
Aden Date is a Perth-based performing artist, consultant, trainer and business owner. He helps scientific, technical and clinical teams communicate and collaborate better using play-based learning, cognitive science, and progressive work design. He is the Founder and General Manager of Only the Human, a theatre company which uses improvised theatre training to help individuals be more present, playful, and adaptable. He has studied and performed improvised theatre in Canberra, New York, and Chicago.

He is the author of Funny Business, a book about what improvised theatre teaches us about creative thinking, and has spoken about the importance of play in adulthood on the ABC.

Aden's approach is grounded in the belief that work is more creative and impactful when we think of it like a game. He wants managers and leaders to shift from managing people to managing constraints so that employees can approach their work with autonomy, discernment and energy.

Connect with Aden:
Websites:   onlythehuman.com | adendate.com | LinkedIn

This episode is proudly sponsored by Cuppa Cartel. To celebrate, our listeners and the Cuppa Familia can enjoy a special rate on all coffee beans using code TRBLC at checkout.

Discover your brand's potential with a free Brand Discovery session at designstudioperth.com.au/brand-discovery 

About Tracy:
Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real-blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success.

Connect with Tracy Fryer:
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