Many leaders are focussing on facilitating a more cohesive organizational environment. They seek to improve productivity, support connection and collaboration, and ultimately enhance job satisfaction among employees.
To that end, we wanted to share our experience with a team-building approach that you might like to try.
Laridae’s Monday Team Coffee Chats
If you read Valentina Kibedi’s excellent post on team cohesion this past summer, you’ll recognize this example.
Like everyone, when COVID-19 first pushed us to remote settings, Laridae tried to create opportunities for team connection.
Priya Parker author of The Art of Gathering describes connection mechanisms as ways we can create intentional and socially acceptable spaces for people to connect. To work, connection mechanisms need both social permission and social pressure. When one of these elements is missing, the mechanism isn’t very effective.
Our foray into creating connection mechanisms started with optional, open, online drop-in office hours. It was a case of social permission but no social pressure. Not surprisingly, it didn’t work.
A lack of structure meant our conversations devolved into work topics, which didn’t serve to refresh or engage anybody, nor allow us to get to know our changing team members while working remotely. And in a very short time, the meetings became quite awkward because most people stopped showing up.
Obviously, this did little to improve cohesion, because the people who did show up felt no one else wanted to invest in being a team. And the people who didn’t show up felt like the team didn’t value their time.
Realizing the shortcomings of our initial attempt, we adapted our approach to design a more effective connection mechanism. The result was what we now call our Monday Team Coffee Chats.
Here’s what we changed to make it work better:
- Mandatory: We replaced optional with required attendance. Everyone is expected to show up with their cameras on (social pressure and permission)
- Not about Work: We set a rule that the conversation would not be about work (creates permission for a different kind of connection)
- Inclusive: Everyone gets a turn to speak, and they can share according to their level of comfort (inclusion, engagement, and safety)
- Rotating Facilitators: We introduced a rotating facilitator element. Everyone at Laridae is in the rotation. Facilitators have full responsibility for their session (engagement, shared ownership)
- A Fun and Thoughtful Question: Facilitators are tasked with preparing a weekly question that each team member answers when ready and called upon. This could be a fun question, or a deep question – anything to help us get to know each other a bit better.
- Notables: In addition to answering the question, everyone also shares a “Notable” – this can be almost any tidbit that they feel like sharing with the team; anything from past weekend adventures or upcoming plans they are excited about, to a personal hardship they may be experiencing such as family health challenge.
The new format continues to this day.
Productivity boosters for all!
Last week, our Monday Coffee Chat facilitator, Alex Hammond, asked us to share our go-to productivity hacks. As you may be experiencing in your workplaces, in the lead-up to the December holidays, it can be very difficult to stay focused!
The team discussed quick tactics (aside from coffee and snacks) to help give them that extra boost when energy and focus seems low. Here are a few that we thought you might like to try:
- Get your heart rate up with a quick burst of exercise: trampoline jumping, skipping, a short hike or a dog walk.
- Stop the input of information to your brain spend a few minutes in meditation or try a 15-minute nap.
- Switch up your working location inside the house for a new view or take the laptop for a walk to a coffee shop.
- Listen to high-intensity, lyrics-free music, such as fantasy movie soundtracks (LOTR, GoT, Star Wars, etc.).
- Creative writing time! Add to that screenplay or write a heartfelt thank you note.
- Make art: doodle, sketch, or practice calligraphy.
- Disconnect for a few minutes by turning off notifications and stepping away from the computer.
- Switch from a keyboard to a pen and notepad. Draft your next report by hand or make a list to organize your thoughts.
- Move to a standing desk to aid in circulation, muscle tone and improve your posture for easier breathing.
- Time block your calendar for work time and for break time.
- Try a productivity app such as:
At the end of the week, Alex checked back in to see what folks had tried:
What are some things that you can add to your routine for a much-needed boost?
As always, please reach out if you want to talk about Laridae’s consulting and learning services for non-profits, and how they may benefit your organization. We’re here for you.