Here at Fox in a Box we use immersive games to help teams connect and build healthy work relationships. We also like to share tips to use inside of your office to foster productive habits and provide tools and tips to make operations run smoothly! Here are some few key learnings that we would love to share with your team!

Team-Building Activities for Hybrid Teams

Making sure that both in-person and remote members of a hybrid team feel included and connected requires additional logistical effort and planning. “We can’t assume it’s going to happen,” says Keswin. “As the team leader, you need to prioritize it.” Here are some ideas for activities and practices that work well for hybrid teams.

1. Create fun rituals.

Shapiro recommends kicking off hybrid team meetings with lateral thinking exercises and puzzles. Spending just five or 10 minutes on these activities helps team members engage with each other in new and different ways and perhaps form new friendships and meaningful connections. These activities quickly become a team favorite, she says. “It also creates a ritual that people look forward to and encourages them to be at the next team meeting on time because they don’t want to miss it.”

2. Give your team customized swag.

Team-branded merch can be a subtle yet powerful way to boost unity and reinforce a sense of belonging, according to Hadley. “When you’re wearing the jersey, you feel like you’re part of a team.” Similarly, customized items such as coffee mugs create a tangible connection and shared identity between teammates — almost like a mission statement, no matter where they are located.

3. Share origin stories.

Inviting team members to share their personal origin stories creates understanding and connection among colleagues, according to Keswin. These narratives — where people can share as much or as little as they want — might cover why they joined the organization or how they chose their career. The process of delivering these short presentations can reveal shared interests and build bonds, Keswin adds. “Discovering similarities, such as hometowns or a common hobby, can forge deeper connections.”

4. Conduct regular pulse checks.

Using internal communication software or an employee engagement dashboard — a tool designed to do sentiment analysis of employees’ thoughts about their jobs, organizations, and teams — can be a good way to gauge energy levels as well as how team members feel about team dynamics. These systems often include short questionnaires with response options like face emojis or stop lights to represent emotions and current mood. This approach allows managers to identify potential issues and take action, which in turn nurtures a sense of team trust. “If you see too many frowning faces, you hold an emergency team meeting,” says Hadley. The key is to establish a consistent routine for these pulse checks as it reinforces the idea that your team’s input is valued. Importantly, she adds, “Don’t collect data if you’re not going to do anything about it.”

5. Attend a conference together.

Going to a conference or professional development workshop offers your team an opportunity for a shared experience. These team-building events break the monotony of day-to-day routines, spark conversations around industry topics, and strengthen professional relationships. “You’re learning new things, but you’re also bonding,” says Hadley.