Portia Tung
The Play Alchemist
Edition
ACE! 2025
Topic: Play Tectonics: The Secret Life of Systems
Are you eager to constantly learn and develop yourself? Do you long to enable change and transformation in your daily life with more verve and joy? Or perhaps you’re looking for answers to deeper life questions so you can make your next big leap.
According to Playful Leadership, the first system to work on is our own. It is from this place that our gifts flow so we can soar or our blocks emerge which prevent us from taking flight.
In this playful and experiential talk, you’ll learn about the latest research on developmental play science alongside the secrets to creating happy and life-supporting systems so that you, as well as those you serve, can merrily thrive and belong.
This interactive talk explains the fundamentals of how change happens and what we need to do so systems, including the people in them, can thrive now and for many years to come.
Workshop: Play Genius: Emotional Mastery Through Our Play Circuitry
Are you curious about the secret life of systems and are undaunted by a good challenge? Do you sometimes feel befuddled by the shenanigans of human beings when they come together in groups such as teams and organisations? Perhaps you long to decode the mystery and magic of how to enable systems to flourish for the individual and the whole? If so, you’re in for a treat.
Join Portia Tung The Play Alchemist and Organisational Leadership Coach to explore the concept and a few basic principles of Systemic Constellations - an embodied approach for visualising and resolving limiting dynamics in groups, teams and organisations.
In this interactive, fun and eye-opening talk, you’ll learn a handful of fundamental principles of flourishing such as belonging, safety and recognition which you can apply at work right away with good effect.
Play your cards with a soft heart and an open mind and systemic prosperity will be yours!
TAKEAWAYS
* Core principles of systemic flourishing
* Increased awareness of what constitutes a healthy system
* Insights on how to change yourself in order to enable transformational systemic change
Biography:
By combining her skills with her desire to bring about positive and enduring change, Portia has stumbled upon a wholesome way of leading she calls Playful Leadership through harnessing the power of Play Alchemy. It’s a way of enabling transformational change that is fun, effective and efficient – at work, at home and anywhere you go.
Portia is the author of The Dream Team Nightmare: Boost Team Productivity Using Agile Techniques, the first ever Agile novel where your decisions determine the outcome of the story.
Portia is well-known for her fun, practical and thought-provoking talks and workshops at Agile conferences, and is also the creator of creative concepts such as Agile Fairytales and TEDxMiltonKeynes concept of Enterprise Gardening. Find out more about Portia’s musings through her The School of Play blog and Agile Coaching blog.