5 tips for team building with hybrid teams

Many companies have shifted from a completely in-person staff to a hybrid system where some people work remotely a couple days a week. While some companies made this move in part because of the pandemic, others feel that this flexibility and removal of commuting time was actually better for morale and employee productivity. So while these hybrid teams have a number of benefits, it can be a little harder to feel connected to the rest of your team when you don’t see everyone in person on a regular basis.

While it may be a little harder to feel connected, it’s certainly not impossible. You just have to be a little more creative in how you foster team connectedness. With that in mind, we wanted to share five tips for team building if you work in a hybrid team environment.

Block Out Time On Everyone’s Calendars Weekly For A Casual Catch Up, Whether It’s A Virtual Lunch, Happy Hour Or Breakfast

Carve out a little team each week for your whole team to catch up and connect. Whether it’s 15 minutes at the beginning of the week or before the team takes off for the weekend, set a regular time for your team to get together. If it’s always at the same time, it’s easier for people to always make time for it. And if you’re meeting for a virtual lunch or happy hour, every once in a while consider sending a food or alcohol gift card so that everyone can share a meal or a drink on the company dime.

Recognize And Celebrate Team Members’ Wins Publicly Via Email Or Slack

If someone closes a big account or one of your team members has the best sales for the company that month, recognize them publicly in your team emails or Slack. Accomplishments should be recognized, so let your team know that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Email blasts and Slack channels are great places to shout out the accomplishments of your team members.

Organize Virtual Activities And Games To Bring Your Team Together For A New Experience

If your team can’t always get together for a team building activity, bring the team building to them with the help of virtual games. We have virtual trivia packages that work great for corporate team building, and we have other icebreaker-style games that get people talking and challenge each other’s wits. Trivia and games like Survey Says or Scavenger Hunt naturally get people to work together, which will only make it easier to do the same in a work environment. Don’t underestimate how a team building exercise can fuel success in the business world.

Encourage Your Team To Set Up Monthly One-On-One Catchups With Other Members Of the Team For Knowledge Share

A lot of businesses have regular one-on-one meetings between managers and their staff, but it’s also important for team members to be able to set aside a little time each month to connect with one another. They can bounce ideas off one another, plan or organize specific tasks, or find new ways to problem solve. Catchup sessions between team members can be just as important as one-on-ones with superiors, so consider carving out some time each month for team members to sync up with one another.

Generate A List Of Ideas For Your Team To Choose From And Ensure That It Covers Something For Everyone

Finally, it’s important to vary your team building activities every so often. Some people may love a good trivia game, but it may not be for everyone, so switch up activities once in a while. If you’re looking for some creative ways to switch up your team building events, check out this blog that’s full of great ideas! Find what people like best, but don’t get stuck in a rut.

And if you want some help taking your team building events to the next level, consider filling out this form and working with the team at Bar None Games. We’d be happy to run a trivia game or host a triathlon event to help improve your hybrid environment. For more information, or for answers to any questions you might have, head over to our contact page and let us know what we can do for your team!