A perspective on creativity at work
Injecting fun and play into the workday
We’re taking a short break from regular programming for from Our Perspectives—personal essays from team members sharing reflections on internal project management. This week, we’re featuring Britt with a perspective on creativity and the power of play at work.
In my ongoing effort to guide our team with the best tools and systems—for both our company and our clients—I recently came across a new Notion feature: Notion Faces, a tool for creating custom avatars.
We have a standing weekly meeting for our team of generalists, typically focused on sharing work updates, solving problems, and learning from each other. But this time, I thought it might be a good moment to break from routine. Instead of our usual meeting, I invited our Notion-savvy generalists to spend the session simply creating their own avatars. One week away from traditional collaboration and documentation felt like the kind of shift we needed.
Our lead generalist led the way, and her reflections on the experience captured exactly why this mattered:
A Small Change That Sparked Connection
"We did this during our weekly team meeting, where we usually align on weekly work and share insights. I was a little nervous about introducing Notion Faces—it felt so different from what we usually do. But as soon as I presented it, the whole team lit up.
People dove right in, laughing and chatting about which eyebrows to choose or whether a certain smile made their avatar look too serious. One teammate even joked about the lack of bald hairstyle options!
It was a great reminder that people crave fun and connection, even in the middle of the workday. This small, creative exercise gave everyone a chance to engage in a different way, deepening relationships beyond the typical work talk.
The energy in the room completely shifted. For a moment, it wasn’t about tasks or goals—it was about being playful together. And that simple shift opened up new conversations and brought a fresh sense of connection to the team."
Watching our team fully embrace something as simple as making cartoon versions of themselves was unexpectedly joyful. It was a reminder that even the most talented, hardworking people need space to play.
What Can Startups Take Away from This?
Be creative. Play. Give people space to connect in new ways.
At a startup, it’s easy to fall into the rhythm of constant problem-solving and execution. But creating moments for your team to step back, laugh, and engage differently can unlock new energy and deepen trust.
Fun and productivity aren’t opposites—they fuel each other. Sometimes the best way to support your team is by letting them step outside of their usual roles and simply enjoy being together.
How can you bring more creativity into your workday? Start small. Make space for fun. You might be surprised by what it sparks.
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Writer: Britt
Collaborators: Caleigh
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