What’s the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the phrase ‘strong team culture?’ We think of skilled and committed people in the workplace.
The real meaning also includes the working environment where trust, respect and collaboration grow. So creating this kind of culture is the biggest job of any manager. But what if all the tools and methods we’ve tried don’t work and team discord is growing? Then we need to look for more creative ways and approaches.
Open communication, fun and empathy are the three strategies discussed in this article as ways to boost team spirit. Read on to see how modern technology can help too.
Add some humor to the agenda
While it’s great to take work seriously, constant seriousness creates interpersonal tension and creates barriers between colleagues. That will change dramatically with the addition of some fun to the daily routine.
One of the best ways to do this is team building activities. Whether a manager organizes some outdoor picnics, trips to another city/country or mystery nights with psychics from the Nebula website, an fun time spent will create more bonding.
Another is to make a habit of celebrating all company wins and events. From completing big projects to celebrating a colleague’s birthday, common celebrations can bond the team together.
Last but not least strategy is to inject humor into casual conversations. Lighthearted stories and jokes can lighten up the day and spark creativity. Teams that have small, fun chats during work hours feel more inspired, connected and therefore more productive.
Lead by example
As we see, empathetic teams handle issues more smoothly and get along very well. But how do we develop empathy among colleagues? It’s always better to see than to hear a thousand times. So if the manager wants to push a culture of compassion, he/she has to lead by example.
Building empathy in the workplace starts with acknowledging every team member’s contribution, efforts and personal struggles. Even the simple phrase ‘How are you today?’ can make a big shift to positive teams.
Noting each person’s individuality is no less important. When managers acknowledge everyone brings valuable insights and solutions, team morale grows as performance does.
A good team culture also links to a mentally healthy workspace. Leaders can show appreciation and empathy by providing psychological counseling or flexible working hours. In return they will get a team of emotional resilience and mental clarity which means more productivity.
Drive communication through active listening and clear goals
Any manager will agree that communication has a huge impact on the success of the company. It’s the foundation of a healthy team culture. Lack of proper understanding can create gaps and inefficiencies and hold back progress and growth.
Team centric tools are great for driving communication. Leaders should encourage team members to speak up, share ideas and give feedback on the company site or relevant apps. This will speed up the workflow and add to the smooth relationship among colleagues.
Active listening is also an art to create a good team culture. It means listening carefully to colleagues without interrupting or jumping to conclusions. Like in real life, people who feel heard at work tend to speak up and open up more.
Another aspect of communication is goal clarity. If everyone knows their role and the overall purpose, the journey will be smooth. So whether it’s a weekly task or a long term project, the manager must state clear goals.
More ways to build positive in-team vibes
- Personal thank you’s and rewards programs
- Encourage permanent learning and expertise within the team
- Be more transparent to build mutual trust
- Balance structure with flexibility to accommodate team needs
- Create a space where mistakes are allowed
- Conduct regular pulse checks to stay on top of team mood
Top tech solutions to build stronger team bonding
Compassion centric apps for emotional and mental wellbeing
The team atmosphere is directly dependent on the mental and emotional state of its members. Apps like Calm and Happify will provide tools for stress management, corporate mindfulness and emotional resilience.
Apps like BetterUp will help to create a culture of empathy among team members. Habitual use can reinforce interpersonal gratitude and enable employees to tackle challenges with ease.
Platforms for connection and communication
Whether online or offline workflow, teams should be aligned, efficient and engaged. Microsoft Teams, Slack and Zoom are great tools to provide perfect channels, organized conversations and collaboration features.
Working with them can give you unparalleled interaction, to build positive vibes among colleagues. If a manager wants to break silos within his/her team. Integrating Donut into their system for coffee chats every week will be super useful.
Fun tools to build team spirit
Fun tools can add color to the greyness of work life. In other words they are important to ignite creativity and collaboration.
For example team tailored games like Kahoot! and QuizBreaker at the start of the week can create a very inspiring atmosphere and friendly competition. If a manager sees poor problem solving Miro with its fun brainstorming activities will be a great fit.
Lots of companies will use Matter inside Slack or Microsoft Teams to promote employee recognition, rewards, and surveys.
