5 Creative Ways to Reconnect Your Team

We may no longer be wearing masks, but the pandemic has permanently shifted the working landscape. Many would argue that it’s changed things for the better: the universal 9 to 5 has been discarded in favour of flexible working. Not only are hours more flexible, but many companies have opted for a hybrid model. This allows team to alternate between working remotely and coming into the office.

Social distancing may be a thing of the past, yet many companies are habitually prioritising Zoom calls over face-to-face meetings where they can help it. It makes sense: Zoom is far more accessible, allowing colleagues from all corners of the UK – and internationally – to join a meeting of minds.

However, with all the perks of our new hybrid working world come some inevitable cons. Some teams feel disconnected from each other – and even the outside world in general. If this sounds like you and your employees or colleagues, don’t fret. At Global Training, we specialise in helping teams refresh and reconnect, and below, we’ve come up with 5 creative ways to bring your team together, helping you to become reacquainted – without the barrier of a screen.

1) Get Out of The Office

And no, we don’t mean work from home. Whilst this popular trend provides valued flexibility, it tends to be a solitary activity. Instead, we recommend transporting your team to a new, refreshed environment – whether this is a co-working space, or even just a stroll outdoors! A change of scene can easily inspire a change of mindset.

And you don’t have to stop there. Not only could you encourage your team to abandon their desks for an hour or two, but you could even arrange an entire day out! Work socials allow employees to leave work stresses behind, and also see friends and colleagues in a different light (literally!).

From restaurants to rooftop bars, and from crazy golf to escape rooms, there are a plethora of fun, sociable activities on offer - which cater to different budgets, too. If it's nice weather, you could even ditch the restaurant and arrange a picnic in the park! Or create your own outdoor escape room in the form of a treasure hunt!

2) Work AND Play

Speaking of treasure hunts, it’s important to find – and nurture - the element of fun in your team. Not only is it important to have fun whilst at work, but creative exercises can also help colleagues feel more connected to each other. Recently, Global Training worked with London real estate agency Anderson Rose, where I took the team out of their usual work environment (not to mention their comfort zones!).

Through a series of light-hearted games and challenges, the team built on skills such as resilience and innovation, whilst also bonding with their colleagues – and having a jolly good time! Despite being fun and frivolous, there is profound learning to be found in creative play, from developing as an individual to crucially strengthening relationships.

3) Build Trust

Have you heard of ‘The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team’? The first on the list is absence of trust, and I’m sure we can all agree that, without trust, the foundations of any relationship are bound to be rocky. Trust is built by being open and vulnerable with each other.

Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of the working day, it can be difficult to delve past the surface in conversations. You may make small talk about your dinner plans that evening, or any outstanding tasks, but it can often feel unnatural to dig deeper in a work setting. For example, do you know your colleagues’ hopes and dreams? Their values? Their greatest fears?

During our day away with Anderson Rose, I led a story sharing session, which required team members to work in pairs. Here, they had to ask their partner several questions, and then share these with the group in the most engaging and celebratory way possible.

If you would like to try this out with your team, here are some example questions you can use:

What is your greatest dream?
What was your happiest moment?
What's your signature dish?
How would your best friend describe you?
_What’s your best dance move/party trick? _
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Are there any other burning questions you can think of? Be as creative as possible!

4) Creative Challenges

As we all well know, there is no ‘I’ in team! Work is so often about collaboration, so why not try out some extra-curricular, out-of-the-box challenges together? At Global Training, we encourage teams to work together in new, creative ways. Celebrate your inner child with a shared mission, which will help you to learn about yourself and each other – and have fun along the way!

As I mentioned earlier, a treasure hunt of some description can work wonders for team bonding – and this is exactly how I rounded off the day with Anderson Rose. You could also set mini challenges, such as building a sculpture out of stationary, or each having three minutes to make a friend on the street. Think about your team, and what would best unleash their inner child!

5) Self-care and Reflection

Finally, it is always of utmost importance that you take time away to check in with yourself and your team. Self-care and reflection will help you to better pave the way towards healthy working behaviours and patterns. Encourage regular feedback, particularly after engaging in team building activities, as this will allow you to tune back into your own needs, and elevate your understanding of your colleagues – and their day-to-day needs, too.

Is your team moving into a new office? Or have you perhaps been promoted? Or even moved on to a new company? Change doesn't just smooth itself out, it has to be carefully considered. It is easy to feel lost in unfamiliar territory, but give yourself time to adapt – and this will allow you to have a sense of ownership of this change. If you are currently starting a new chapter at work, all the above tips will be particularly relevant to you, but especially this last one. Self-care is always important, but all the more when navigating change within our professional and personal lives.

If you would like more guidance on creative ways to reconnect your team – or would like an entire day designed for you – look no further! At Global Training, we will happily take the task off your hands, and create a bespoke away day for you and your team.

Anderson Rose were certainly thrilled with theirs: “The team loved strengthening their already strong relationships with one another which cements the foundations we are built on. Taking the day away from their desks and inboxes to work on self-reflection, gaining more insight and understanding into each other, and, most importantly, having fun!”

For more information, get in touch today!