As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, it’s clear that many of us are feeling more isolated and disconnected from each other than ever before. Many organizations are recognizing the need to build a sense of team as people are starting to come back to working in the office for at least some part of the work week. Many of them have never met in person.
But now, as we start to return to the workplace, it’s more important than ever to focus on building connections and fostering relationships with our colleagues. When you’ve only ever connected on screen as “headshots in a box”, it takes time, initiative and intention to rebuild a sense of trust and community. This is not just a matter of improving morale and well-being, but also of improving productivity, collaboration, and innovation.
One activity I often start my retreats with is to ask participants “What would I most like to receive?” as a result of being at the retreat. People populate a knowledge wall with sticky notes asking for what they want. I was facilitating an in-person off-site retreat for a client recently and one of the key objectives was to give people a chance to get to know each other. The vast majority of the requests were about getting a chance to meet each other, to talk and learn from each other, and to feel a sense of community among them. It was a stark reminder of how crucial it is to pay attention and makes the workplace more relational than simply transactional.
Here are three strategies for busy workplaces looking to build connections and reinvigorate a more relationship-centered culture:
1. Create regular opportunities for conversation and interaction
One of the biggest challenges facing many workplaces today is the lack of opportunity for casual conversation and interaction. Many of us are so focused on our work that we don’t take the time to connect with our colleagues on a personal level. Those “water cooler” conversations may not look “productive” but they are valuable for forging interpersonal bonds that build trust.
Create regular opportunities for conversation and interaction. This might include things like informal social events, team-building activities, or even just regular coffee breaks or lunchtime chats. The key is to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and included, and that there’s no pressure to talk about work-related topics.
Everyone adapts and responds to change, stress and uncertainty differently, so these more informal opportunities to connect can help people feel like they are not alone in their experience and to learn from one another. A sense of team support is an important contributor to building an adaptive culture.
2. Encourage cross-functional collaboration
Even before the pandemic, ensuring strong cross-functional collaboration and communication could be tricky. Not only does this help people get to know each other better, but it also promotes knowledge-sharing and helps to break down silos between different parts of the organization.
Bringing together people from different departments or areas of expertise to work together on common projects or initiatives helps people to understand and appreciate different perspectives. It helps employees recognize that you’re all in this together, and to better understand your individual contribution to the success of the whole organization.
Consider setting up cross-functional teams or task forces to tackle specific challenges or opportunities, and make sure that everyone has a chance to contribute and learn from each other.
3. Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements
It’s important to recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements. This not only helps to build morale and motivation, but it also helps to create a sense of connection and shared purpose among colleagues. Even small acts of appreciation go a long way in building a sense of community, generosity and tone in your culture.
Make sure that you take the time to acknowledge and celebrate individual and team successes, whether it’s through formal recognition programs, informal shout-outs, or even just a simple thank-you note. This sends a powerful message that you value and appreciate the contributions of your colleagues, and helps to create a more positive and supportive workplace culture.
