SPEAKING

Want to learn about the Eight Play Personalities or Employee Journey Mapping in a more condensed manner? We give talks on these two subjects on the regular!
 
These talks make for great keynotes or breakouts at conferences and events, whether in-person or virtual. We do give talks to associations on a regular basis. They’re also great for the following:

  • Lunch & Learns
  • Team Offsites
  • Leadership Retreats
  • Professional Development Days
  • AGMs
  • Higher Ed Faculty Workshops
  • Nonprofit Development Sessions
  • Board Meetings

    • CONTACT US

    Creating Better Cultures Through The Eight Play Personalities

    In the quest to cultivate a vibrant corporate culture, many workplaces adopt trendy perks—think ping pong tables, kombucha on tap, and kindergarten-styles office spaces. Ones that mimic the offices of Silicon Valley. Yet these fancy perks can create issues. These perks don’t cater to all employees and can promote cultures of forced fun.

    There is a better way to create a more vibrant culture. Join Paul Lopushinsky, founder of Playficient, for a unique session on the Eight Play Personalities. You will learn what the Eight Play Personalities are, and how they apply to your own life.

    We’ll discuss the Eight Play Personalities, and how to tap into them in your workplace. By understanding the different play personalities of your team, you’ll be able to create a culture that is engaging and fun for everyone.

     

    Learning Objectives:

    • Learn what the Eight Play Personalities are and how they apply to your own life.
    • Learn why most organizations only cater to 1-3 of the Eight Play Personalities.
    • Learn how to integrate the Eight Play Personalities into the workplace.
    • Discover how to identify and celebrate the Play Personalities within your team.

    Who is This Talk For?

    • HR Professionals
    • People & Culture Teams
    • Organizational Development Specialists
    • Corporate Trainers & Facilitators
  • Conference Organizers & Program Planners
  • Team Leaders & Managers
  • Executives & Leadership Teams
  • Learning & Development Professionals

    • Do note that we can customize this talk on the Eight Play Personalities. We’ve done talks that focus on the following:

    • Team-building
    • Creating Better Board Meetings
  • Improve Employee Mental-Health
  • Using the Eight Play Personalities in Your Community

    • CONTACT US

    Paul facilitated a play for work session for one of our 7Geese lunch and learn sessions. We found the session to be interactive, engaging and I could really tell that the team enjoyed the opportunity to discuss how this could apply in their day to day work. Thank you, Paul for facilitating this session and shifting our thinking around how play can facilitate positive work outcomes.

    Libby Stewart, Head of Professional Services & Research - 7Geese

    Playficient
    2019-02-20T22:47:45-08:00

    Libby Stewart, Head of Professional Services & Research - 7Geese

    Paul facilitated a play for work session for one of our 7Geese lunch and learn sessions. We found the session to be interactive, engaging and I could really tell that the team enjoyed the opportunity to discuss how this could apply in their day to day work. Thank you, Paul for facilitating this session and shifting our thinking around how play can facilitate positive work outcomes.
    Paul’s session was great and super interactive! He was able to talk through how to stay mindful of work, but how to also include the FUN without being disengaged. We really enjoyed that he kept the group entertained and active throughout his presentation. It was very enjoyable and we hope to have him in the future!

    Jermanii Robinson, Programs Co-Chair, New River Valley Chapter of SHRM

    Playficient
    2025-05-05T12:14:34-07:00

    Jermanii Robinson, Programs Co-Chair, New River Valley Chapter of SHRM

    Paul’s session was great and super interactive! He was able to talk through how to stay mindful of work, but how to also include the FUN without being disengaged. We really enjoyed that he kept the group entertained and active throughout his presentation. It was very enjoyable and we hope to have him in the future!
    Paul grabbed the audience's attention from the very start. He lead them through a very engaging and highly interactive workshop. Everyone who attended took something away from the evening's event (including myself). With Playficient, Paul is addressing a need to further blend our social and work lives, and he's doing it in a fantastically creative way.

    Sam Middlewood, Founder - Be Inspired Vancouver

    Playficient
    2018-10-10T04:48:44-07:00

    Sam Middlewood, Founder - Be Inspired Vancouver

    Paul grabbed the audience's attention from the very start. He lead them through a very engaging and highly interactive workshop. Everyone who attended took something away from the evening's event (including myself). With Playficient, Paul is addressing a need to further blend our social and work lives, and he's doing it in a fantastically creative way.
    Paul’s presentation on “Creating Better Cultures Through the Eight Play Personalities” was fun, engaging, and a refreshing change from our usual speaker sessions. It sparked some great conversations within our group, and we came away with meaningful takeaways from both Paul’s insights and the discussion that followed. It was a great reminder of how incorporating play can help build stronger connections and a more positive workplace culture.

    Marissa Curtis, Vice President of Programming, SCHRMA

    Playficient
    2025-06-20T12:04:26-07:00

    Marissa Curtis, Vice President of Programming, SCHRMA

    Paul’s presentation on “Creating Better Cultures Through the Eight Play Personalities” was fun, engaging, and a refreshing change from our usual speaker sessions. It sparked some great conversations within our group, and we came away with meaningful takeaways from both Paul’s insights and the discussion that followed. It was a great reminder of how incorporating play can help build stronger connections and a more positive workplace culture.
    Paul facilitated a “Leadership Through Play” workshop for our international students at ILAC International College. He was very professional with his communication and approach to delivering the workshop. He paid close attention to how the workshop was developed so as to suit our unique needs. What Paul is doing with Playficient is so relevant for today’s demographics in the workplace. I would love to bring him back in to speak with our administrative team!

    Cassie Savoie, Academic Manager - ILAC International College

    Playficient
    2019-06-18T19:12:55-07:00

    Cassie Savoie, Academic Manager - ILAC International College

    Paul facilitated a “Leadership Through Play” workshop for our international students at ILAC International College. He was very professional with his communication and approach to delivering the workshop. He paid close attention to how the workshop was developed so as to suit our unique needs. What Paul is doing with Playficient is so relevant for today’s demographics in the workplace. I would love to bring him back in to speak with our administrative team!
    Paul Lopushinsky’s session on The Eight Play Personalities for the Proposal Industry Experts community was an inspiring push to think about how often we overlook something as fundamental as play in our work. Metrics, process, and structure often dominate the conversations in our industry, but Paul brought a deeply human energy to this presentation. His dive into the Eight Play Personalities gave us a new lens to think about engagement, not as another framework to implement, but as something more personal and dynamic. What stood out most was how many people walked away inspired! Conversations have already started about how to weave these ideas into proposals, team culture, and our community.

    Rachelle Ray, Co-Founder & Chief Bakers Officer - Proposal Industry Experts (PIE)

    Playficient
    2025-10-02T12:33:24-07:00

    Rachelle Ray, Co-Founder & Chief Bakers Officer - Proposal Industry Experts (PIE)

    Paul Lopushinsky’s session on The Eight Play Personalities for the Proposal Industry Experts community was an inspiring push to think about how often we overlook something as fundamental as play in our work. Metrics, process, and structure often dominate the conversations in our industry, but Paul brought a deeply human energy to this presentation. His dive into the Eight Play Personalities gave us a new lens to think about engagement, not as another framework to implement, but as something more personal and dynamic. What stood out most was how many people walked away inspired! Conversations have already started about how to weave these ideas into proposals, team culture, and our community.
    Paul Lopushinsky’s session on The Eight Play Personalities was a standout experience for our AAP YEG members! His engaging style and insights sparked meaningful conversations throughout the workshop. The questions Paul posed really encouraged attendees to reflect deeply and share their own experiences, creating an atmosphere of genuine connection and learning. His fresh approach to workplace culture made a compelling case for how play can foster inclusivity, engagement, and creativity in professional environments. Our participants left feeling energized and equipped with practical strategies to bring more joy and collaboration into their workplaces. A truly impactful and memorable session!

    Brenda Smith, Association of Administrative Professionals President, Edmonton Branch

    Playficient
    2025-11-07T12:02:44-08:00

    Brenda Smith, Association of Administrative Professionals President, Edmonton Branch

    Paul Lopushinsky’s session on The Eight Play Personalities was a standout experience for our AAP YEG members! His engaging style and insights sparked meaningful conversations throughout the workshop. The questions Paul posed really encouraged attendees to reflect deeply and share their own experiences, creating an atmosphere of genuine connection and learning. His fresh approach to workplace culture made a compelling case for how play can foster inclusivity, engagement, and creativity in professional environments. Our participants left feeling energized and equipped with practical strategies to bring more joy and collaboration into their workplaces. A truly impactful and memorable session!
    From the beginning of the session, Paul made everyone feel very comfortable about what was about to take place. Each activity was something I felt I could accomplish. Never once did I feel uncomfortable during an activity or that I was unable to be vulnerable with my partner(s). It felt empowering to open up in front of a group of strangers and feel heard. I now know that no matter who you are, where you work, or what you do; engagement through “play” can and should take place on a more frequent basis.

    Melissa Lasure, Pricing Support Specialist - Finning

    Playficient
    2019-01-18T20:07:04-08:00

    Melissa Lasure, Pricing Support Specialist - Finning

    From the beginning of the session, Paul made everyone feel very comfortable about what was about to take place. Each activity was something I felt I could accomplish. Never once did I feel uncomfortable during an activity or that I was unable to be vulnerable with my partner(s). It felt empowering to open up in front of a group of strangers and feel heard. I now know that no matter who you are, where you work, or what you do; engagement through “play” can and should take place on a more frequent basis.
    Paul Lopushinsky’s presentation on The Eight Play Personalities for the ATD Greater Philadelphia chapter was a refreshing reminder of how easily we overlook the role of play in our professional lives. In a world dominated by metrics and processes, Paul brought a human-centered approach that resonated deeply. His exploration of play personalities offered a new lens for engagement—something personal, dynamic, and far beyond another rigid framework.

    Sean McCullough, VP of Programs, ATD Greater Philadelphia Chapter

    Playficient
    2025-12-03T11:32:01-08:00

    Sean McCullough, VP of Programs, ATD Greater Philadelphia Chapter

    Paul Lopushinsky’s presentation on The Eight Play Personalities for the ATD Greater Philadelphia chapter was a refreshing reminder of how easily we overlook the role of play in our professional lives. In a world dominated by metrics and processes, Paul brought a human-centered approach that resonated deeply. His exploration of play personalities offered a new lens for engagement—something personal, dynamic, and far beyond another rigid framework.
    Starting the new year with Paul Lopushinsky's The Eight Play Personalities was a win for the West Central Minnesota chapter of SHRM. Learning and embracing that people have different personality styles when it comes to having fun, and that those styles can change over time, put our members in a great mindset to kickoff 2026. People walked away with valuable insight to positively impact their organizational cultures. His calm demeanor and practical suggestions made the presentation relatable and useful.

    Karen Hunt - Programming Director, West Central Minnesota SHRM

    Playficient
    2026-05-04T12:32:18-07:00

    Karen Hunt - Programming Director, West Central Minnesota SHRM

    Starting the new year with Paul Lopushinsky's The Eight Play Personalities was a win for the West Central Minnesota chapter of SHRM. Learning and embracing that people have different personality styles when it comes to having fun, and that those styles can change over time, put our members in a great mindset to kickoff 2026. People walked away with valuable insight to positively impact their organizational cultures. His calm demeanor and practical suggestions made the presentation relatable and useful.
    Paul Lopushinsky’s presentation on “The Eight Play Personalities” for the SHRM Western North Carolina chapter was a great reminder that inclusion doesn’t have to be complex. We especially appreciated the reminder that we don’t have to design experiences for all eight play personalities at once – simply weaving them into different aspects of work can have a meaningful impact.

    Melanie Mooney - VP Programs, SHRM Western North Carolina

    Playficient
    2026-05-04T12:34:36-07:00

    Melanie Mooney - VP Programs, SHRM Western North Carolina

    Paul Lopushinsky’s presentation on “The Eight Play Personalities” for the SHRM Western North Carolina chapter was a great reminder that inclusion doesn’t have to be complex. We especially appreciated the reminder that we don’t have to design experiences for all eight play personalities at once – simply weaving them into different aspects of work can have a meaningful impact.
    Paul Lopushinsky’s session at the Utah ATD chapter event on the Eight Play Personalities was an eye-opening experience that challenged the traditional approach to workplace culture. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all perks, he demonstrated how understanding different play personalities can foster a more inclusive and engaging environment for all employees. His insights helped us recognize why many organizations unknowingly cater to only a fraction of their workforce’s play styles. This session provided practical strategies to create a workplace culture that feels genuinely fun and meaningful for everyone!

    Bryce Revelli, VP of Professional Development, Utah ATD

    Playficient
    2025-04-03T09:52:45-07:00

    Bryce Revelli, VP of Professional Development, Utah ATD

    Paul Lopushinsky’s session at the Utah ATD chapter event on the Eight Play Personalities was an eye-opening experience that challenged the traditional approach to workplace culture. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all perks, he demonstrated how understanding different play personalities can foster a more inclusive and engaging environment for all employees. His insights helped us recognize why many organizations unknowingly cater to only a fraction of their workforce’s play styles. This session provided practical strategies to create a workplace culture that feels genuinely fun and meaningful for everyone!
    Paul Lopushinsky’s session on The Eight Play Personalities was an absolute game-changer! His fresh and thought-provoking approach to workplace culture had our audience fully engaged from start to finish. With his dynamic delivery and eye-opening insights, he made a compelling case for fostering inclusivity and engagement through play. Attendees walked away not just inspired, but equipped with powerful, actionable strategies to transform their organizations. A truly outstanding session!

    Mark Halushka, Chair, PIHRA Long Beach Chapter

    Playficient
    2025-04-03T10:00:09-07:00

    Mark Halushka, Chair, PIHRA Long Beach Chapter

    Paul Lopushinsky’s session on The Eight Play Personalities was an absolute game-changer! His fresh and thought-provoking approach to workplace culture had our audience fully engaged from start to finish. With his dynamic delivery and eye-opening insights, he made a compelling case for fostering inclusivity and engagement through play. Attendees walked away not just inspired, but equipped with powerful, actionable strategies to transform their organizations. A truly outstanding session!
    From the beginning Paul made me feel comfortable. Each activity was something I felt I could accomplish. And contrary to putting me in a spotlight with no instructions, I had clear instructions and always at least one willing partner that ensured I didn’t fail. It was later that I learned that is a key element of improv – that you never let someone fail.That has really resonated with me as a leader. If I can remember that a team should be built and supported so everyone embodies this belief, it lays a different foundation.

    Tracey Lovejoy, Co-Founder - Catalyst Constellations

    Playficient
    2018-10-16T23:40:08-07:00

    Tracey Lovejoy, Co-Founder - Catalyst Constellations

    From the beginning Paul made me feel comfortable. Each activity was something I felt I could accomplish. And contrary to putting me in a spotlight with no instructions, I had clear instructions and always at least one willing partner that ensured I didn’t fail. It was later that I learned that is a key element of improv – that you never let someone fail.That has really resonated with me as a leader. If I can remember that a team should be built and supported so everyone embodies this belief, it lays a different foundation.
    0
    0
    Playficient

    How To Improve Your Employee Experience Through Employee Journey Mapping

    Employee Journey Mapping is a powerful tool to help organizations understand and improve the stages of an employee’s journey. It can help organizations understand the “moments that matter” for employees and improve the employee experience. They can help you gain a better understanding of employee’s needs.

    In this talk, you will learn about the fundamentals of employee journey mapping. By understanding the learnings an employee journey map can offer, you can find those critical “moments that matter” for employees.

    Paul Lopushinsky, founder of Playficient, will work through a practical example of building an employee journey map by navigating through the map that comes from a cumulation of past client work and best practices.

     

    Learning Objectives:

    • What is an employee journey map and the benefits of creating one?
    • How to decide what and who to focus on with your employee journey map.
    • How to conduct interviews and collect feedback for your journey maps.
    • How to prioritize solutions and improvements identified through building your employee journey map.

    Who is This Talk For?

    • HR Professionals
    • People & Culture Teams
    • Organizational Development Specialists
    • Employee Experience Designers
  • UX Designers
  • Onboarding & Recruitment Specialists
  • Executives & Leadership Teams
  • Learning & Development Teams

    • CONTACT US

    Paul gave an excellent presentation to our Green Bay SHRM Group on the topic of employee journey mapping. He kept the audience engaged throughout the session and created an environment where participants felt comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. Drawing from his own experience, Paul highlighted why understanding the employee journey is so important for organizations today. His clear explanations, practical perspective, and engaging delivery made the session both informative and enjoyable for our group.

    Justin Aman - Programming Committee, Green Bay SHRM

    Playficient
    2026-05-04T12:35:51-07:00

    Justin Aman - Programming Committee, Green Bay SHRM

    Paul gave an excellent presentation to our Green Bay SHRM Group on the topic of employee journey mapping. He kept the audience engaged throughout the session and created an environment where participants felt comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. Drawing from his own experience, Paul highlighted why understanding the employee journey is so important for organizations today. His clear explanations, practical perspective, and engaging delivery made the session both informative and enjoyable for our group.
    Our Kalispell, Montana SHRM Chapter recently hosted Paul Lopushinsky as our featured March 2026 speaker. Paul dealt seamlessly with some bothersome technical difficulties and delivered a powerful and insightful presentation on Employee Journey Mapping. Our members loved the talk...Paul's style is upbeat, positive and engaging, and he explained crisply and clearly how to use Journey Mapping as a talent development force multiplier. Following his talk, I heard several members say things like" I can put this tool to use immediately" and "Paul spoke our language--I can't wait to introduce Journey Mapping to our people.

    Phil Quigley - Program Manager Flathead Valley Chapter SHRM

    Playficient
    2026-05-04T12:37:03-07:00

    Phil Quigley - Program Manager Flathead Valley Chapter SHRM

    Our Kalispell, Montana SHRM Chapter recently hosted Paul Lopushinsky as our featured March 2026 speaker. Paul dealt seamlessly with some bothersome technical difficulties and delivered a powerful and insightful presentation on Employee Journey Mapping. Our members loved the talk...Paul's style is upbeat, positive and engaging, and he explained crisply and clearly how to use Journey Mapping as a talent development force multiplier. Following his talk, I heard several members say things like" I can put this tool to use immediately" and "Paul spoke our language--I can't wait to introduce Journey Mapping to our people.
    Paul delivered an outstanding presentation on employee journey mapping to our HR Chapter in Northwest Connecticut. His ability to engage the audience and thoughtfully address questions throughout the seminar made for an insightful and interactive experience. He shared valuable insights from his own experiences, emphasizing the significance of employee journey mapping for organizations. Paul introduced five key questions to ask employees, each building upon the previous one, fostering deeper understanding. Our group especially enjoyed the "magic wand" question and how it complemented the mirroring and reflecting process. His expertise, clarity, and engaging style made for an excellent session.

    Michelle Ferrari, President, Northwest Connecticut Human Resources Association

    Playficient
    2025-04-03T09:58:21-07:00

    Michelle Ferrari, President, Northwest Connecticut Human Resources Association

    Paul delivered an outstanding presentation on employee journey mapping to our HR Chapter in Northwest Connecticut. His ability to engage the audience and thoughtfully address questions throughout the seminar made for an insightful and interactive experience. He shared valuable insights from his own experiences, emphasizing the significance of employee journey mapping for organizations. Paul introduced five key questions to ask employees, each building upon the previous one, fostering deeper understanding. Our group especially enjoyed the "magic wand" question and how it complemented the mirroring and reflecting process. His expertise, clarity, and engaging style made for an excellent session.
    0
    0
    Playficient

    Talks Given:


    About Paul

    Paul Lopushinsky (Law-puh-shin-ski) is the founder of Playficient, a consultancy helping organizations create better employee experiences.

    Areas of focus for Playficient include the following:

    • Employee Journey Mapping for identifying the strengths and shortcomings of the employee experience
    • Utilizing the Eight Play Personalities to create better work cultures that don’t rely on  fancy office perks or forced fun 

    Paul has worked with organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, The British Columbia Lottery Corporation, UXPressia, and Culture Amp.

    Paul’s work has been featured in the BBC, Harvard Business Review, Association for Talent Development, and People Managing People.

    Do note that I no longer have that beard and hat. That said, if you have one on-hand or would like me to wear something like it, do let me know!

    CONTACT US

    Featured In:

    Guest Articles:

    Podcasts:

    Contact Playficient:

    We will get back to you as soon as possible.

     

    Back to Top