--- title: "Flow, Failure, and Fun: Why Experimentation Unlocks Better Team Performance" description: How Does Fun And A Childish Attitude to Failure Unlock Performance? image: https://www.centreforteams.com/hubfs/Experimentation.webp --- [\+ 020 4538 9923](tel:+%20020%204538%209923)[info@centreforteams.com](mailto:info@centreforteams.com) [\+ 44 20 4538 9923](tel:+2045389923)[info@centreforteams.com](mailto:info@centreforteams.com) [![CFT-Nav-Bar-Logo-NEW](https://www.centreforteams.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CFT-Nav-Bar-Logo-NEW.webp?width=414&height=69&name=CFT-Nav-Bar-Logo-NEW.webp "CFT-Nav-Bar-Logo-NEW")](https://www.centreforteams.com/) [![Screenshot\_2024-06-19\_104847-removebg-preview](https://www.centreforteams.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot_2024-06-19_104847-removebg-preview.png?width=190&height=48&name=Screenshot_2024-06-19_104847-removebg-preview.png "Screenshot_2024-06-19_104847-removebg-preview")](https://www.centreforteams.com/) - [Home](https://www.centreforteams.com) - How We Work - 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Yet our most recent [White Paper](https://www.centreforteams.com/fun-at-work-its-beyond-a-joke) argues that teams reach their highest levels of enjoyment and performance precisely when they are free to experiment, learn visibly, and fail safely together This is the territory of 'second-order' fun — the satisfying, energising experience of collective problem-solving. From a psychological perspective, experimentation activates intrinsic motivation: autonomy, challenge, and mastery. Research by Csikszentmihalyi (1990) shows that flow emerges when people are stretched just enough to grow, but not so far as to shut down. In teams, this becomes a shared state — the “leaning-in together” moment described in the spaghetti-tower vignette. Peter Skillman’s marshmallow challenge offers a powerful demonstration of how different audiences approach this game. The business students’ hesitation — driven by low psychological safety — impeded progress. By contrast, the kindergarteners “failed fast,” iterated constantly, and turned mistakes into information. Their fun wasn’t childish; it was the natural by-product of a supportive, feedback-rich environment. This aligns with research showing that rapid prototyping accelerates both learning and innovation (Edmondson, 1999; Sawyer, 2012).  The [Adaptable Team Framework](https://www.centreforteams.com/adaptable-teams) reinforces these principles through its focus on mindset (purpose, identity, trust), action (team habits), and outcome (learning, enjoyment, performance). When teams normalise visible learning, experimentation stops feeling risky and starts feeling rewarding.  For leaders, the practical question is: *How do we create this environment?* Several habits stand out:  - **Encourage cheap, fast experiments** rather than long debates. - **Minimise egos, agendas** **and silly politics** so ideas can flow freely. - **Celebrate adjustments**, not just outcomes. - **Use structured debriefs** to turn activity into learning. These behaviours cultivate a rhythm where failure becomes information, effort becomes shared, and enjoyment becomes collective. Under these conditions, second-order fun naturally emerges — not as a distraction, but as evidence that the team is operating near its learning edge.  When organisations embrace experimentation, they unlock not only innovation but also the deeper, more meaningful form of fun that fuels engagement and performance.  References:  Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.  Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams.  Sawyer, K. (2012). Explaining Creativity.    [![Centre For Teams - Large CTA (4)](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/7628916/interactive-161174640054.png)](https://www.centreforteams.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIO8bARxySfyuMUPpFehcEwWQnIbxVp1EYAfroHA2i%2BPYaagwhtoewqjPgMABWPXG8CYQevIG6pSbab5cWitdFt%2BmTK1bxcmusfVbDC1q6j9RQgYjMnf%2BiT%2B5FoIP3cwS1vcl0MG1WIwQaBHH3KZooB6GiqO%2Bx5kjaaFh19kZ1bsdErogyfWv9fBc1GgfrvEENLmX3Vnvp6HJoqmhq3kQaXAV5pZsgGsZbUdEJJJEt%2FgwMaBjM%3D&webInteractiveContentId=161174640054&portalId=7628916) Image reference: https://www.consolpartners.com/ Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.centreforteams.com/blog/flow-failure-and-fun-why-experimentation-unlocks-better-team-performance&text=Flow,%20Failure,%20and%20Fun:%20Why%20Experimentation%20Unlocks%20Better%20Team%20Performance) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.centreforteams.com/blog/flow-failure-and-fun-why-experimentation-unlocks-better-team-performance&t=Flow,%20Failure,%20and%20Fun:%20Why%20Experimentation%20Unlocks%20Better%20Team%20Performance) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.centreforteams.com/blog/flow-failure-and-fun-why-experimentation-unlocks-better-team-performance&t=Flow,%20Failure,%20and%20Fun:%20Why%20Experimentation%20Unlocks%20Better%20Team%20Performance) Previous story [← The Importance of Team Coaching to Support Succession Planning in Employee-Owned Trusts](https://www.centreforteams.com/blog/the-importance-of-team-coaching-to-support-succession-planning-in-employee-owned-trusts) Next story [Why Does A Team Need A Common Purpose? →](https://www.centreforteams.com/blog/why-does-a-team-need-a-common-purpose) ### Get Email Notifications ### No Comments Yet Let us know what you think  **Phone:** [+44 20 4538 9923](tel:+020%204538%209923)  **Email:** [info@centreforteams.com](mailto:info@centreforteams.com?subject=Enquiry%20from%20Centre%20for%20Teams%20website) 1 Park Road, Hampton Wick, KT1 4AS, United Kingdom VAT Number: 843986478 Company Number: 5161533 [Join us on Slack](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-centre-for-teams-limited/) Our Solutions - [Leadership Coaching](https://www.centreforteams.com/leadership-coaching) - [Strengthening Leadership Capability](https://www.centreforteams.com/strengthening-leadership-capability) - [Leadership Circles and Supervision](https://www.centreforteams.com/leadership-circles-and-supervision) - [Team Development](https://www.centreforteams.com/team-development) Our Solutions - [Team Leadership](https://www.centreforteams.com/team-leadership) - [Team Learning Summits](https://www.centreforteams.com/team-learning-summits) - [Partnering & Joint Ventures](https://www.centreforteams.com/partnering-joint-ventures) - [Cultural Change](https://www.centreforteams.com/cultural-change) Resources - [Blog](https://www.centreforteams.com/blog) - [Case Studies](https://www.centreforteams.com/blog/tag/case-studies) - [Podcast](https://www.centreforteams.com/podcast) - [Free Guide](https://www.centreforteams.com/download-creating-adaptable-team) - [Book a Meeting](https://www.centreforteams.com/book-a-meeting) - [FAQ](https://www.centreforteams.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [Teamship in a VUCA Environment](https://www.centreforteams.com/teamship-in-a-vuca-environment) Copyright © 2026 The Centre for Teams Ltd. 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