How to Infuse Fun & Positivity into Your Team Culture: Expert Insights by Scott Parker
Welcome to another energizing episode of the Sticky Note Marketing Show! I’m your host, Mary Czarnecki, and I had the absolute joy of chatting with educator, team-building facilitator, and award-winning comedy performer Scott Parker. If you’ve ever wondered what improv comedy, Wordle, and the Lewis and Clark Trail have in common — this is your episode.
Scott has built a career on helping people connect, communicate, and collaborate — all while having a seriously good time. And spoiler alert: he’s also a professional juggler.
“Every meeting doesn’t need to be all business.”
From Improv to Impact
Scott’s journey started with one of the most powerful tools in his toolkit: improv. “Life doesn’t have a script,” he said. “So why not learn how to thrive in that uncertainty?” That mindset became the foundation for his unique approach to corporate training and leadership development.
Through games rooted in improv — emphasizing positivity, fun, and teamwork — Scott creates environments where people gently step out of their comfort zones. “They don’t even realize they’ve left it,” he joked. But the results? Powerful. Teams start laughing together, thinking creatively, and forming authentic connections — often with people they’d otherwise never really engage with in the workplace.
The Power of the Quiet Ones
Scott’s work is especially sensitive to introverts — those team members who may have powerful ideas but feel overshadowed in traditional meeting formats. “I’m super aware of that,” he said, noting that introverts often have just as much to contribute, and just need the right context to feel safe doing so.
That’s where Scott’s creativity shines. In one of his workshops for 150 women in the ski industry, he used a simple game called “Whoosh” — a creative circle exercise where people pass an imaginary object in wildly imaginative ways (think: bouncing it, blowing it, crushing it into fairy dust). By the end, everyone’s laughing, engaged, and ready to bring that same energy back to their own teams.
One participant even told him she couldn’t wait to bring “Whoosh” to her next staff meeting — to wake things up and make meetings less… boring. (We’ve all been in those meetings, haven’t we?)
“Play and Slay”: Why Team Bonding Shouldn’t Be Saved for Retreats
Scott and I both agree — this kind of intentional play shouldn’t be reserved just for offsite events or retreats. Infusing just a little bit of levity and creative connection into regular meetings can completely shift team dynamics.
“Every meeting doesn’t need to be all business,” Scott explained. “Adding fun helps coworkers get to know each other. That builds trust, openness, and stronger collaboration — especially across personality types.”
He encourages even quick moments of personal connection, like asking team members to share one unique thing about themselves (not about their kids or spouses). You might discover your quietest teammate plays cello in a local orchestra — and suddenly, you’ve got something to bond over.
“But My Team’s Remote…”
No worries. Scott has ideas for that too.
One of his favorite rituals is playing Wordle with his mom and sister. They text their scores — along with a silly meme — to each other every day. “It’s a small thing,” he said, “but it keeps us connected.”
He recommends remote teams use similar daily rituals or micro-games to check in and spark fun. Something everyone does together — at the same time — with zero work pressure. “It’s simple, but it’s bigger than the game,” he noted. “It’s about connection.”
Wait… He’s Also a Professional Juggler?
Yep! Scott didn’t learn to juggle until college. A friend offered to teach him, and within five minutes, he was juggling three balls like he’d been doing it forever. The secret? It’s all about learning the rhythm, step-by-step.
“It’s the perfect metaphor for learning,” he said. “You don’t start by juggling three balls. You start by mastering the toss of just one.”
Now he brings that same philosophy to his workshops — breaking down big challenges into approachable, engaging experiences. And yes, sometimes juggling is involved.
Key Takeaways from Scott Parker’s Approach to Team Building:
🌀 Improv isn’t just for the stage — it’s a powerful tool for corporate communication and collaboration.
🧠 Introverts have incredible ideas — create safe, playful spaces for those voices to be heard.
🌀 Games like “Whoosh” build trust and creativity — no slides or status updates required.
🧩 Even remote teams can connect through daily rituals — like sharing Wordle scores or a team meme.
🎯 Don’t wait for a retreat — make play part of the everyday work culture.
Whether you’re running team meetings, facilitating a workshop, or just trying to build stronger connections at work, Scott’s message is clear: make room for play, creativity, and genuine human connection. Because the best teams aren’t just productive — they have fun together.
🎧 Catch the full episode of Sticky Note Marketing Show for more stories, strategies, and laughs with Scott Parker.
And if you take nothing else from this episode: get your sticky notes out and write this down — levity leads to loyalty.
