Who Needs the Water Cooler? Building Connections in the Modern Workplace
In the past, building connections and relationships with colleagues often happened
around the office water cooler. But with the rise of remote work and changes in the
modern workplace, it can be harder to stay connected with your colleagues and build
camaraderie. Whether you're working remotely or in the office, there are still ways
to build connections and strengthen relationships with your team. Here are a few ideas:
Host virtual happy hours
Set up a virtual happy hour where you can catch up with your colleagues over a glass
of your favorite beverage. Not only is it a great way to bond, but it also allows you
to unwind and relax after a long day of work. It's also a great way to keep the team
spirit high and motivated.
Organize team-building exercises
Whether it's a virtual escape room or a virtual cooking class, team-building exercises
are a great way to bond with your colleagues and have some fun together. It's an
opportunity to come together and work towards a common goal, which can help to build
trust and strengthen relationships among team members.
Play online games
Set up a weekly game night and invite your co-workers to join in on the fun. Not only
is it a fun way to bond and de-stress, but it can also help to boost morale and create
a sense of community within the workplace.
Have regular video calls
Schedule regular video calls with your colleagues to stay connected and maintain those
human interactions. It's a great way to keep in touch, discuss work-related topics, and
also catch up on personal matters. It will help you to maintain a sense of personal
connection with your colleagues.
Schedule virtual lunch breaks together
Virtual lunch breaks: Schedule a virtual lunch break with your colleagues where you
can all eat together over a video call. It can be a great way to catch up on personal
and professional topics, and also mimic the feeling of having lunch together in the
office. It will help you to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine in the remote
work environment.
Utilize online collaboration tools
Utilize online collaboration tools such as Slack, Asana, or Miro to work together on
projects and stay in sync with your team. This can also help to foster a sense of
teamwork and collaboration even when you're working remotely. It also helps to
streamline the work process and make it more efficient.
Create a virtual office space
Create a virtual office: Create a virtual office on a platform such as Slack, Microsoft
Teams or Google Meet, where colleagues can drop in and chat, ask for help or just to say
hi, just like in a physical office.
This can help to create a sense of community and also provide an easy way for everyone
to stay connected. It will help to create a sense of belonging and community among the team.
Plan in-person team-building activities
Plan team-building activities such as a company-wide retreat, team building games or a
volunteer day. These activities can help to build camaraderie and strengthen relationships
among colleagues. It's a great way to create a sense of community among the team and also
to have some fun together.
Organize lunch and learn sessions
Encourage people to share their knowledge, skills or interests by organizing lunch and
learn sessions. This can help people to learn from one another and also foster a sense
of community within the workplace.