In my class, we were discussing ways to build camaraderie and a positive culture without spending much time or money. This is especially important for organizations with hourly employees who may be unable to participate in out-of-office activities without clocking out.
Studies have shown that informality fosters candor and connectedness, both important qualities for your team. Some ideas for quick ways to interject occasional levity at work:
- Have different employees pick their favorite song to start the day
- Start with a crazy question, with the winner getting a goofy prize (e.g., the number of feet in the household [dogs = 4])
- Have a potluck just with snacks
- Hold office pools: for sports, for when the first snow will fall, for when the first 90-degree day occurs, etc.
- Have taste tests: Red Vines vs Twizzlers, Pepsi vs Coke, etc.
- Post pet photos and guess their owner
- Hold a donation drive for a charity
- Have employees wear shirts from their favorite team, color, band, etc.
- Bring in coffee and donuts to enjoy during morning break
- Pick a color, and go crazy with it: (e.g., wear orange, bring in orange foods, use orange in emails)
- Play silly games — one office rolls balls down the hall into a box in the boss’s office, again for a “fabulous” prize
- Share some of the many different flavors of Oreos or M&Ms and rate them
- Play Bingo to see when jargon or catch phrases are used
- Repeatedly share 1 can of pop with another person — have a conversation and build the relationship
I’m sure you (and your team) can add many more ideas to the list. The activities may sound silly, but fostering some connectedness is nothing to laugh at.
