playfulness Archives - Tom O'Leary

5 03, 2021

The Power of Play

Tom O'Leary - Moment Maverick2022-01-17T11:17:26+00:00

Reading Time: 2 minutes A couple of times in the past weeks I’ve been asked variants of “So, what’s all this play stuff about? Why is it play so important and how can it help adults?” It isn’t complicated. Study after study over the past decades has shown links between a whole host of benefits from increased creativity to general all-round better health. And yet we still limit the amount of play we allow into our lives. Work is still primarily seen as serious business where play isn’t appropriate and people hold back out of fear of [...]

The Power of PlayTom O'Leary - Moment Maverick2022-01-17T11:17:26+00:00

13 01, 2021

Nourishing our Playfulness

Tom O'Leary - Moment Maverick2022-01-17T11:27:10+00:00

Reading Time: < 1 minute As many of you know I’m currently researching play in coaching but my passion for play goes well beyond this. I’m also really curious how adults nourish their playfulness. It is so easy to drift out of play as an adult and increasingly shut it away. Carl Jung argued that as many of us grow older we take on the Senex (wise person) archetype, essentially eschewing play that isn’t somehow practical or productive. And yet there is a strong argument for keeping that child alive and nourishing their play and not taking ourselves too seriously. [...]

Nourishing our PlayfulnessTom O'Leary - Moment Maverick2022-01-17T11:27:10+00:00

23 11, 2020

Taking Play Seriously in Coaching

Tom O'Leary - Moment Maverick2022-01-17T11:27:25+00:00

Reading Time: < 1 minute I'm currently researching play in coaching as part of a Master's programme and have been surrounding myself with the work of some amazing play theorists and researchers. I've been blown away by how much work on play has been done over the past decades showing the wide range benefits of play and yet many of the organisations I’ve encountered over my life have failed to harness the benefits. The same is arguably true of the coaching profession despite some great research over the past number of years. Anyway, I just thought that I would share [...]

Taking Play Seriously in CoachingTom O'Leary - Moment Maverick2022-01-17T11:27:25+00:00

Tom’s innate ability to listen and empathise enabled me to relax and really explore the issues that were causing me some anxiety. Our sessions provided me with an enhanced sense of self-awareness and a considered plan of action. The benefits in terms of relationships and self-confidence this process has given me are invaluable, in both work and life in general!

Testimonial from Sean, Ireland

I went for coaching with Tom, without knowing what I wanted but knowing that I needed some help after having a number of setbacks with interviews. By the end of the first session, I was beginning to realise my problems. By the end of the second session, I was beginning to realise what I wanted. In our final two sessions, Tom helped me to identify a strategy for achieving my goals.
I thoroughly enjoyed our sessions. Tom listened without judgement, guided without being opinionated and ultimately helped me to help myself. You can’t ask more from a coach.

Testimonial from Paul, Ireland

I didn’t think I had a specific need for a coach, however, having met Tom outside of our professional roles we decided to set up a coaching programme. I’m delighted we did. Tom’s approach is based on taking it slow, listening first and asking questions you won’t have thought of second. The latter always result in positive actions to take away and implement immediately. Now, I’m really looking forward to continuing our working relationship.

Testimonial from James Crothall, Account Director at AMO DIGITAL