Executives, women and teams clapping beside laptops for notifications, deals or modern success… [+] Office. Group, senior leaders and business people working on computer getting news, feedback and project agreement
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During a recent “walking meet” with my colleagues, we trekked through San Francisco’s Financial District to source pastels de nata for a teammate’s birthday. This wasn’t just a sweet treat trip; it was a sign of a deeply ingrained tradition within the team: We celebrate birthdays with personalized treats and celebrations, fostering camaraderie even in a hybrid work environment.
Why team practice is important
In a fast-paced, technology-driven environment where screens dominate interactions, intentional team practices are more important than ever. They are an important reminder that we’re not just colleagues, but individuals with our own preferences and personalities. Celebrating milestones like birthdays and years of service strengthens team bonds, fosters a sense of community, and combats the potential for isolation in a digital-first world.
The strategic value of team practice
As I discuss in my book, ReCulturing, team and organizational practices are the foundation of a thriving company culture. Culture is a complex system of behaviors, processes, and practices. When these elements work together and are intentionally cultivated, they create a self-reinforcing cycle that fosters a positive, productive work environment.
Practices include a wide range of activities, from communication and collaboration to learning and development, recognition and relationship building. Allowing teams to develop their own practices while ensuring alignment with the broader organizational culture is essential to foster a sense of ownership and engagement. This approach allows individuality and creativity to emerge, and sustains a cohesive company culture.
Evolving Practices in the Modern Workplace
I interviewed Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and co-author of the company’s famous culture deck, for my book. We discussed the importance of evolving practices to meet the changing needs of the modern workforce. She warned against clinging to outdated practices out of nostalgia and advised focusing on what’s possible now. She reminded me that Netflix’s culture deck took more than a decade to develop and is still evolving. They embrace a philosophy of continuous improvement and are constantly “ReCulturing.”
The rise of remote and hybrid work makes the importance of adapting work practices even more pronounced. Impromptu hallway conversations that once fostered connection and innovation are less frequent in the virtual world. To maintain a strong culture and sense of community in a distributed workforce, organizations must intentionally evolve their work practices to meet the unique challenges of this new era. In a 2023 report, OC Tanner highlighted that employees with a strong sense of community are five times more likely to be successful and 11 times more likely to be engaged in their work.
The power of connection
How can we foster connection in this new era of work? Personal celebrations and shared professional goals play a key role in fighting social divisions. Celebrating milestones like birthdays and company anniversaries is a powerful way to build camaraderie and common purpose.
Evolving team practices
When my team recently doubled in size, I realized I needed to change how I do things to meet the changing needs of a growing team. I’m switching from weekly hour-long meetings to biweekly 90-minute sessions and rotating facilitators to lead team-building activities to foster deeper connection and understanding. I’m also overhauling our core accountability documents to keep everyone aligned on projects, updates, and potential collaborations.
In addition, we implemented several other practices:
Weekly Slack check-ins on priorities and accomplishments, semi-annual in-person meetings, Thursday lunches for office team members, and “Thought Leadership Jam Sessions” for the leadership team.
These efforts aren’t just perks, they’re strategic investments in your team’s culture, engagement, and ultimately, success.
Conclusion
Team engagements, big or small, play a key role in shaping a positive, productive work environment. Intentionally nurturing these engagements and adapting them to the changing needs of your team can foster a sense of community and ultimately improve business outcomes.
