City Research Online

Abstract

This article explores how playful techniques have been used in the delivery of a Masters level module on leadership development. Using playful practices in this leadership module has two main aims; firstly the use of playful practices to deliver leadership education effectively and secondly, how these in turn can be used to develop playful leaders. This dual lens looks at how the development of various leadership skills and characteristics can be enhanced and developed using playful practices and then uses more recently developed models that define playful leadership as a theoretical framework for the design of this module. The article considers both the use of play to support developing leaders in higher education as well as the role of play in itself as a vital facet of leadership practice. This leads to a consideration of the playful techniques and practices used in the module as supporting ambition to develop playful leadership practice. Whilst playful techniques have been introduced into the module organically to support engagement, the article explores how these can be seen to act as a structure for developing both leaders and playful leaders. The impact of these practices on the participants on the module is also considered as a means of evaluating the success of this approach, although more work is needed to be done here.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright Susannah Quinsee, 2026. Published under Creative Commons License 4.0.
Publisher Keywords:	leadership development, playful practice, playful leader, higher education
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Departments:	Presidents's Portfolio
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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