It is a happy talent to know how to play.

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dr Russya Connor

 is the Creative Philosopher and expert in Creativity and Play for better thinking and doing.

Play is the shortest distance between a problem and a creative solution.

My work is grounded in the science of play.

At the core of my work lies the profound belief in the transformative power of play. Playfulness, in its essence, is the foundation of creativity. I view play as a dynamic force, that fuels innovation, ignites creativity, fosters collaboration, and drives lasting change. Play connects people, enhances well-being, clarifies individual and organisational goals, and makes us feel vibrantly alive. Creativity is an innate human trait applicable to both daily life and work. Yet it can be easily lost or suppressed, as to fully engage in the creative process requires a complete surrender from thinking about it.

Nurturing everyday creativity, on the other hand, can cultivate open-mindedness, persistence, and intrinsic motivation. Achieving extraordinary results, we must liberate ourselves from preconceived notions and institutional norms and have willingness to explore unconventional routes.

The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, demanding businesses and individuals to adapt with agility and creativity. Staying  adaptable isn’t just a strategy – it’s a necessity. In this landscape, play is a smart and strategic response. It’s a tool that equips teams with the ability to navigate challenges, find innovative solutions, and harness change for their advantage. The result? Improved productivity, stronger team dynamics, and a workplace culture that thrives on creativity. In the ever-evolving landscape of business, change is the only constant. 

According to the World Economic Forum, innovation, creativity, and critical thinking are among the top 10 skills for 2025. Creative arts-based learning is increasingly being used in many Fortune 500 companies to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, high-performance teamwork, change management and intercultural communication.

 

The Approach

 Experience

Providing transformative experiences through play provokes deep thinking, evokes emotions, and drives positive behavioural change

Playfulness

Boosting critical and creative thinking to breakfree from conventional ideas & uncover hidden oppertunities

Empathy

Visualization techniques and performative actions can turn abstract concepts into tangible actions

Collaboration

Encouraging teams to approach challenges with a sense of play, to navigate and conquer obstacles with a sense of excitement and collaboration

Acceptance 

Being comfortable and safe  to transform issues, engaging the whole person, the body, the brain, the senses, the emotions and the spirit – the good, the stunning and the not so stunning

Curiosity

Embracing the unexpected, developing strategies on the fly, cultivating a cohesive team, thriving in the face of uncertainty

Background

Dr. Russya Connor’s extensive experience encompasses working with diverse communities and sectors, including prisons, indigenous communities, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and arts and media. She is a multi-faceted educator with 20 years international experience, comfortable on stage, backstage and in online and face to face settings

Her journey has taken her to diverse spaces – from boardrooms to prisons – all with the goal of demonstrating the profound impact of playfulness. She has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of play in seemingly disparate environments, further affirming its universal relevance. Whether we’re crafting innovative strategies in a corporate setting or fostering personal growth within challenging circumstances, play has a profound role to ‘play’.

Her collaborative approach involves designing tailored interventions that cater to the unique needs of different population groups, emphasizing creativity, resilience, and spontaneity.

Furthermore, she has accumulated a wealth of experience in lecturing, facilitating, conducting professional development, implementing leadership programs, and providing executive coaching for corporate, academic, government, and nonprofit organizations. With her combined expertise as a speaker, trainer, and creative consultant, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her engagements, providing unique perspectives and insights.

Her creative journey as an award-winning performance artist and theater-maker has fueled her passion for the transformative potential of the creative arts. Her doctoral research at WAAPA focused on the impact of emotions on physical and cognitive abilities, as well as the connection between the body and self-expression, creativity, and resilience.

Alongside her lecturing roles at Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and the University of Melbourne, Dr. Connor actively contributes to the academic and professional discourse by presenting workshops and papers at state, national, and international conferences. Her commitment to human development, self-mastery, and experiential learning drives her to utilize creative approaches in solving organizational and life issues.

Her unwavering passion for creativity and playfulness infuses everything she does, creating transformative experiences for individuals and organizations alike.

Her philosophy centers around embracing playfulness and curiosity as transformative catalysts.
Her belief is that these qualities ignite profound changes in both personal and business spheres. This approach isn’t about chasing predetermined goals, but about staying open to unexpected insights and innovative solutions that emerge from a playful mindset.

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Creativity is intelligence having fun.

– Albert Einstein

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