5 leaders share best practices for bringing employees together

July 22, 2024 12:00 PM

Employees sitting at restaurant table, cheers, toast, happy

Employees feeling connected to each other is an important part of a healthy workplace culture, and leaders who implement opportunities for this to flourish are seeing both short- and long-term benefits.

Workplace connectedness is improving, but managers can do more. According to onboarding platform Enboarder, 63% of employees said their peers were the ones fostering feelings of connection, while only one in four said their leaders were making this a priority. Their research also found that those who establish connections with others at work are 2.5 times more likely to be engaged, which can translate into reduced turnover and absenteeism, and 3.2 times more likely to maintain happy customers.

"When the employees win, everyone wins," says Mark Kaley, public relations manager at Otter Public Relations. "A company benefits, as well as the company's clients because the employee's personal satisfaction translates into improved service to its clientele and a motivation to support the efforts of the company."

From daily habits to annual events, leaders share their favorite connection-building ideas and how these impact vital areas of business success.

Daily doses of progress and gratitude

Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO ofLawn Love

"We have a daily huddle, even with our remote employees. Knowing where everyone is in terms of project progress, and knowing where assistance is needed, helps facilitate teamwork and encouragement. Daily huddles often provide the space for employees who primarily work independently to ask for help or simply have a bit of social interaction. I have also found that these kinds of meetings are a great way to boost morale and offer employee recognition, which are both incredibly important for encouraging connectivity."

Pre-holiday dinner and games

Mark Kaley, public relations manager at Otter Public Relations

"[We] organize a yearly Ottersgiving, which takes place a week or two before Thanksgiving at the company headquarters in St. Petersburg, [Florida]. As a company with employees all over the country, Otter brings all its employees together for team-building activities and a Thanksgiving dinner. One of the team-building activities that stands out in my mind is our scavenger hunt throughout downtown St. Petersburg, with an "Amazing Race" twist. It brings out the competitive spirit, but solving the clues and challenges (some of which reflected company history) helped reinforce teamwork."

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A recipe for success

Margaret Ricci, founder and CEO of Cultural Strategies

"During an all-hands meeting, we discussed what it would take to grow and can our own salsa, then came up with the two- to three-person teams we needed to tackle the project. Tasks included determining the recipe, researching and buying the plants, selecting the growing location on the company lot, preparing the pots, planting, weeding, watering, staking, harvesting, salsa prep, canning, and cleaning out the pots for the winter and putting them into storage.

We had fun all summer long watching the vegetables and herbs grow. But we also had to problem-solve some things and talk to each other on every side of us. Those who researched the plants also had to help the folks with pest control, and our original staking system didn't work and we needed the researchers again to find a better system.

It helped us become one company with different talents. We learned how to become more cross-functional and communicate better. Our success depended on every person doing the job they signed up for, and we held each other accountable when needed.

We did an even better job in year two. The camaraderie we created and learning how to troubleshoot the process was even better than the salsa!"

Inclusive family connection

George Yang, founder of YR Fitness

"We have regular social events for bonding, which include a monthly happy hour, holiday parties, themed events and other similar activities. Such events help staff members socialize, share experiences and create lasting friendships apart from the work environment.

One such event that was most memorable was our annual summer barbecue, when employees and their families were invited for a whole day filled with food, games, and fun activities. The event not only drew the team closer, but also allowed families to come together, communicate, and be there for one another.

These initiatives have had an extraordinary impact on me both personally and professionally. Personally, needless to say, I found participating in team-building activities and social gatherings helped me be closer with colleagues and make the workplace more enjoyable and supportive. Professionally, this has fostered better communication, collaboration, and a sense of unity within the company."

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Expanding beyond regular roles

Christopher Pappas, founder of eLearning Industry

"One of the most impactful initiatives that fostered deep connection within our team was the introduction of a cross-functional project collaboration week. During this dedicated period, employees from different departments were randomly grouped together to work on innovative projects unrelated to their daily roles. This initiative was not only an ongoing effort but became a highly anticipated event twice a year.

Personally, this experience broadened my perspective on our team's capabilities and strengths. Working closely with colleagues I rarely interacted with on a daily basis allowed me to appreciate diverse skill sets and problem-solving approaches. Professionally, it encouraged cross-departmental knowledge sharing and enhanced our ability to tackle complex challenges collaboratively. Inspired by its success, we've integrated similar cross-functional project weeks into our annual calendar, ensuring continuous team bonding and fostering a culture of creativity and mutual respect."