The necessity to revitalize the soil of workplace cohesion is not a novel concept. Regular and cyclical tilling of the team is essential due to the nature of standard turnover, staff training, and maintaining motivation. However, unlike pre-pandemic corporate upkeep, today's endeavors demand an additional effort to reach teams that now spend less time in the physical office than they used to.
It's no secret that the pandemic was a tsunami for corporations and the workplace. Businesses closed and teams furloughed. As companies began to rebuild, they discovered that the residual damage left in the wake of the pandemic was more profound than at first glance. It was more than just the challenge of supply issues or rebuilding pipelines. The erosion and subtle decay had infected the pilings of company culture. As remote work, hybrid models, and focusing on the more apparent struggles of rebuilding took center stage, morale corrosion was spreading. Desiccated engagement made way for the devastating waves of Quiet Quitting and The Great Resignation.
As the gardeners of this new work environment, leaders must devise a new method to connect employees' mobile pods to the vine of company culture. Instead of starting from scratch, they are resorting to a familiar ally: team building. In this digital age, where face-to-face interactions are limited and the boundaries between professional and personal life blur, effective team building is emerging as a vital tool for nurturing employee morale, fostering relationships, and driving productivity.
The Link Between Company Culture and Team BuildingCompany culture isn't static; it's a living, breathing organism with a life of its own that influences every aspect of an organization. Effective team building serves as the lifeblood of a vibrant company culture, infusing it with energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of belonging. When team members engage in collaborative activities, whether it's problem-solving challenges, brainstorming sessions, social gatherings, or outdoor adventures, they develop an understanding of each other's strengths, weaknesses, and working styles. This heightened awareness fosters appreciation and empathy, laying the groundwork for a culture of respect and support.
Consider the case of Chewy, the pet product retailer renowned for its exceptional company culture. Chewy invests heavily in team-building activities, including monthly game nights, happy hours, volunteer activities, and seasonal events. These initiatives strengthen interpersonal bonds and reinforce the company's core values, enabling a cohesive workforce aligned with a shared vision. As a result, Chewy boasts the coveted top spot in employee confidence from a recent review by Comparably. The website, which compiles tens of thousands of anonymous employee rankings, announced Chewy's position as a leader with a bright outlook for the future — a testament to the profound impact of effective team building on company culture.
Managers are instrumental in setting team culture, and providing opportunities for remote employees to get to know each other shows that you value cohesiveness. However, it's important to walk the fine line between creating an opportunity and creating a burden. Try implementing some of the below ideas that help a team bond without adding to everyone's workload.
VIRTUAL WATER COOLERIn-person teams often have time to chat as they trickle into a conference room before a meeting. Create the same effect by opening a virtual meeting room 10 minutes before it's scheduled. Also consider allowing the room to remain open when the meeting ends. The team manager should log off according to the schedule, perhaps allowing for greater candor among team members during the meeting after the meeting.
SHARE THE BURDENIf your virtual team is spread across the country — or even across the world — rotate through time zones so that everyone shares the burden of attending sometimes inconveniently scheduled meetings. If they're always scheduled at a time convenient to the team lead's time zone, you might be inadvertently sending the message that team members outside of that time zone aren't as valued.
BODY DOUBLINGCreate a virtual co-working space that takes advantage of body doubling, a productivity tool that uses the presence of others to create accountability and enhance focus. A virtual space allows for spontaneous questions, quick discussions, and even an occasional joke. But it should be entirely optional — some folks work better with no distractions.
One of the most significant impacts of team building activities is their ability to bridge gaps. In traditional office settings, employees can easily become isolated within a team silo, rarely interacting with colleagues from other departments. However, in a remote work setup, this isolation is amplified by the physical distance. Team building initiatives provide an effective platform for employees to collaborate across departments, fostering a deeper understanding of each other's roles and responsibilities. This shared experience leads to a greater appreciation for the diverse talents and contributions in the organization, which, in turn, creates a cohesive and interconnected workforce.
This gap-closing is successful in the digital realm as well. Effective communication lies at the heart of any successful team, and remote work environments amplify its importance. Without the luxury of spontaneous conversations or impromptu meetings, people must be intentional when it comes to facilitating collaboration. Team-building activities catalyze meaningful dialogue, encouraging team members to collaborate, share ideas, and support one another. Whether through structured team-building exercises or casual virtual hangouts, these activities create opportunities for individuals to voice their opinions, express their concerns, and work together toward common goals. By fostering an environment of open communication and collaboration, team building prepares the soil for increased efficiency, innovation, and success that can easily transcend the digital divide.
Team Building Makes Dollars and SenseThe value of a strong company culture extends beyond employee morale — it directly influences revenue. One of the primary ways in which team building drives revenue growth is by enhancing collaboration and productivity. When team members trust and respect each other, they're more inclined to communicate openly, share ideas freely, and collaborate effectively toward achieving common objectives. Each one of those branches is firmly rooted in profitability.
A recent Gallup survey found that companies that have engaged employees experience less turnover, shrinkage, and absenteeism, and increased sales and productivity. Effective team building isn't a luxury reserved for high-performing organizations. Instead, it's a strategic imperative that underpins revenue growth. By investing in team building, companies directly cultivate a culture of success and ultimately, a bountiful bottom line.E
