I'll add to this: for me, the office game was (eventually, after many years) a gateway into more serious playing at the club.

Yeah, I'm now a better player than most at work, but I wouldn't say work games aren't interesting to me. I have so many fundamentals to work on! It can be a challenge for me to even consistently hit a ball back in a way that a novice can continue the rally (especially when dealing with a trickier shot).

I definitely think the higher level games are crucial for success, too; I just find that I get some value out of almost any game (if I look for it).