The more I work on the Human Growth Model (HGM),
the clearer one thing becomes:

Humour and play are not “extras” —
they are the deepest, fastest, most human ways of learning.

And yet, most organisations still hold on to an old belief:

Work must be serious.
Learning must be serious.
Humour is risky.
Play is unprofessional.

But here’s the paradox.

Play creates focus.
Humour increases learning retention by 400–500%.
Laughter reduces stress and opens the mind.

People learn faster, connect more deeply,
and collaborate better.

So why aren’t we using it?

Because humour dissolves hierarchy.
It builds connection.
It exposes the absurd.
It creates psychological safety.

And old corporate systems were never designed for that.

But the new ones are.

Today, some of the most progressive organisations are already showing what’s possible:

  • Duolingo — playful learning as a global standard
  • LEGO Group — creativity as a way of working
  • Spotify — human onboarding and playful rituals
  • Air New Zealand — the world’s most entertaining safety training
  • Atlassian — culture designed for openness
  • Coffee Stain Studios (Goat Simulator) — humour as a genuine teaching tool

These examples point to something simple — and profound:

If you want people to truly learn,
don’t make it heavier.

Make it lighter.
Make it playful.
Make it human.

And maybe this is where HGM really begins.

Not with
364 days of adult seriousness
and one day of “team-building fun”.

But with
364 days of childlike presence, curiosity and creativity —
and perhaps one brief day of adulting,
when absolutely necessary.

Because the child-self in all of us still learns the same way:

Curiosity.
Humour.
Connection.
Play.

If you’re building or experimenting with humour-driven or play-based learning,
I’d genuinely love to hear from you.

This is where culture, wellbeing and performance finally meet. ❤️