At Gembridge, we are continually uncovering our shared interests and passions, helping foster genuine and nourishing connections. Here are our tried and tested methods to replenish your mental energy and strengthen bonds within your team.
Celebrating Milestones:
We all know how easy it is to get swept up in the motions of the day to day. Have you ever forgotten someone’s birthday? Anniversary? Guilty! Recognising and celebrating personal achievements and milestones, whether big or small, boosts morale and helps people feel valued and supported. Here are some fun ideas to effortlessly embrace team camaraderie!
Games & Activities:
'Who's that baby Gem?' game was a hit.
‘Who’s that baby Gem?’: this simple game is a guaranteed good time. Gather one baby photo from each colleague and embark on a personalised game of guess who! (pictured to the right)
An alternate but similar ‘guess who’ style game can be produced through combining the headshots of two team members using apps like ‘faceapp’ and getting your team to identify which colleagues are in each photo!
Personalised trivia: if you have a bit more spare time on your hands, and a lot of intel about your coworkers, personalised trivia is a great way to have fun whilst getting to know your colleagues better. Keep it light and professional of course, with questions like “who on the team grew up on a cattle farm?” or “who on the team is a secret black belt?”.
Gifts & Gestures:
Talented baker Dawn made this yummy treat!
Happy dance: dance like no one is watching! Celebrating each other’s successes through a quick burst of movement both fosters gratitude and will give you a quick and easy burst of dopamine!
Zoom backgrounds: this one is so simple. If you’re working remotely, you can celebrate through a vibrant Zoom background. There are plenty available for free on Google, but if you’re particularly creative, you can try making your own bespoke background!
Homemade baked goods: (store-bought is also fine for those less skilled in the culinary arts!) Taking time out of the day to enjoy good food and one another’s company is key to enhancing a positive culture, and one of our personal favourites at Gembridge. (pictured to the right and below)
A team that 'cheesecakes' together...
Business as Usual:
A culture of daily gratitude encourages a sense of belonging, as well as boosting motivation and productivity! Here are our simple but effective tips on curating a harmonious and supportive team dynamic.
Trying new things together: this is such a simple but captivating way to have a little fun amongst the hustle and bustle. Set aside 15 minutes to gather and try something new! Some of my favourites include brewing and enjoying different types of tea or sharing snacks from different cultures like ‘Chocolate or Chip of the Week’ – take turns bringing in a snack from a different culture to the office each week for everyone to share and review.
3pm Boost: preparedness is key! Help negate the 3pm slump as a team through maintaining a stash of snacks (healthy or not so healthy, admittedly ours boasts more KitKat’s than apples). Encourage each other to get up and move around, have a stretch or a walk around the block.
Recommendations: Exchanging your favourite reads, films or interests creates space for meaningful conversations and encourages people to celebrate their individuality. Sharing interests may help you discover new perspectives whilst fostering a cohesive team dynamic.
Volunteering: making a positive impact as a team provides a true sense of purpose and fulfilment, whilst reinforcing your team’s commitment to social responsibility. At Gembridge, we maintain our conscious connection within the ‘for purpose’ space through volunteering our time to help our charity partners including Sisterworks and Our Village. For more on our recent experience volunteering with Our Village, head to this wonderful blog here.
Team Gembridge after a lunch to celebrate Malu and baby in August
Fostering mindful and meaningful connections in the workplace can offer a real boost to team morale as well as encourage a culture that celebrates individuality and cohesion. Incorporating fun activities that nurture creativity, and camaraderie will enhance overall job satisfaction, making the workday a holistic and engaging experience for yourself and your team.
If you try any of these initiatives for yourself, we’d love to hear about it! Share your experiences with us through tagging @Gembridge on LinkedIn.