Spark Some Creativity and Connection Amongst Your Team
Socializing with your team when you're working remotely can be a challenge. With back-to-back external meetings, nonstop client calls, and dedicated calendar blocks, connecting with coworkers on a fun, casual level tends to fall to the wayside for many remote or hybrid teams. Let's have some fun and dive into virtual team-building activities that are sure to break down digital barriers.
Embracing Virtual Team Building
Team building is an invaluable investment for any organization, offering a host of benefits that extend beyond community. Team building activities also nurture trust and communication within the team, a cornerstone for successful collaboration. As individuals engage in shared experiences, they develop a better understanding of each other's strengths, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support.
Remote work has become the norm in many organizations. According to Upwork, by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, which equates to about 22% of the workforce. This projection indicates that remote work hasn't gone anywhere, and if anything, it will steadily increase as we inch closer to 2025. During the pandemic, the work from home movement was a necessity to keep companies running. Now, nearly four years later, remote work has become a culture in and of itself, becoming a new business pattern. While remote teams may not be able to gather in the break room or participate in traditional in-person workplace activities, they can still meet virtually to socialize. It may take some creativity, but virtual team-building activities keep teams engaged and connected.
Let's take a look at our ten favorite team-building activities for remote teams:
1. VIRTUAL BINGO
Virtual bingo brings teams together in a lighthearted way. It's not just about shouting "Bingo!"—it's about the laughter, shared moments, and celebrating wins together. Virtual bingo provides an escape from the typical work routine—a little friendly competition never hurt anyone!
2. GROUP MEDITATION
The benefits of mindfulness are myriad – whether it helps to refocus after an interruption, creates calm in a sea of change, or enhances productivity in the workplace. Practicing mindfulness can help increase focus, creativity, and resilience to distractions, leading to a more productive and fulfilling workday. Group meditation is a great way to bring the team together for an easy mindfulness activity that will benefit them through the workday and beyond.
3. Hobby Show & Tell
Virtual show and tell allows individuals to showcase their passions and hobbies. This humanizes the virtual workspace and breaks down communication barriers, encouraging conversations that help team members get to know each other better. Sharing items or stories sparks creativity and discussion, providing an organic avenue for team members to bond over their team's unique post-work activities.
4. "How to Draw" Session
Are there any artists in your group? If not, no worries. Plenty of online "How To Draw" videos can teach your team step-by-step how to draw popular characters from movies and television shows. Take 30 minutes out of your workday and create a meeting with your team where you screen share the video and, at the end, have your team show their results. Some people may be artists—and others not so much—but regardless of the outcomes of the drawings, it is a fun way to get some laughs from the team!
5. Zoom Background Themes
Looking for an easy team-building activity that can be built into the beginnings of your weekly meetings? Try having your team set their Zoom background to a specific theme each week, such as Favorite Movie, Favorite Snack, Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream, Favorite Childhood Cereal, Pet Photos, Planned Vacation Spot Photos, and more. It is a really simple way to start conversations with your team and learn more about them using topics we don't bring up daily.
6. Online Games
Whether it's navigating a virtual escape room, strategizing in a digital board game, or engaging in friendly competition in an online trivia contest, online games bring the team together. The shared experience of overcoming obstacles, achieving goals, and, of course, the occasional friendly banter in the virtual realm creates a sense of connection that transcends the pixels on the screen.
7. Movie or Book Club
Picture this: team members gathering virtually to chat about the latest blockbuster or dive into the plot twists of a new book. Depending on your team's style and schedule, having a virtual movie or book club once a quarter is a great way to get the team involved and start unique conversations!
8. Coffee Breaks
Recreating the casual interactions that happen during coffee breaks in an office setting is crucial for team bonding. Scheduling virtual coffee breaks where team members can join a video call, discuss non-work-related topics, and simply catch up can help build personal connections. If you wanted to make this even more personalized, you and your team could sample new coffee types each month and discuss whether they like or dislike them.
9. Leadership Workshops
Virtual workshops have emerged as a transformative tool in the modern professional landscape, offering a host of benefits that cater to the dynamic nature of remote work. One key advantage is accessibility, as participants can engage from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating geographical constraints. Virtual workshops also provide flexibility, allowing teams to schedule sessions accommodating diverse time zones and individual work schedules.
10. Virtual Retreats
These retreats bring remote team members together through a combination of collaborative activities, workshops, and interactive sessions, fostering a sense of connection and team cohesion. The activities in virtual team retreats often include team-building exercises, strategic planning sessions, and opportunities for social interaction. The retreats aim to strengthen communication, build trust, and enhance the overall camaraderie among team members.
The activities mentioned above are just a glimpse into how teams can foster connection, collaboration, and a sense of community in the virtual realm. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of remote work, embracing these activities can transform a group of individuals into a cohesive and vibrant virtual team.
Throughout the year, FlashPoint offers a variety of presentations, product showcases, and public workshops where clients and interested participants alike can participate in and learn more about the powerful suite of assessments and programs. Visit our 'Events' page to discover our latest offerings:
