Snack 18: How Playfulness Can Save Your Relationships

In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re talking about the kind of conflict resolution that doesn’t involve a six-part text thread or passive-aggressive dishwasher loading. We’re diving into how playfulness—yes, even mid-fight—can be your secret weapon for stronger, happier relationships. Whether it’s your partner, roommate, or that one family member who treats the group chat like a TED Talk… this snack is for you. The Problem: You’re crushing deadlines at work—but stuck in a weird silence at home. Maybe it was about socks. Or the dishes. Or nothing at all. And now you’re trying to lead a team while low-key simmering with resentment. Spoiler: unresolved tension doesn’t stay home. It follows you to Zoom. Why It Matters: Research shows emotional residue from personal relationships impacts performance, presence, and psychological safety at work. You can't be fully present in the boardroom if you're still replaying last night’s kitchen argument. The Improv Hack to Try: The Silent Scene Yes, it’s as ridiculous—and effective—as it sounds.  Next time things get tense with your partner, skip the serious convo and act out a mundane task (like folding laundry) with exaggerated mime and facial expressions. No words. Just play. Why it works: Interrupts the fight-or-flight cycle Sparks laughter and connection Rebuilds rhythm and sync—without a 45-minute processing session It's improv for intimacy. Lucille Ball meets couple’s therapy. Coming up Wednesday: Ready to take this playful practice even deeper? Don’t miss Episode 295 — Play More, Fight Less: The Secret to Happier Relationships featuring improv power couple Greg Tavares and Amber Nash (yep, Pam from Archer). Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy. Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.” Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back. Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s website Erin’s Instagram Erin’s TikTok Erin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram