December is typically when leaders plan to have their team bonding and holiday parties. However, being together this year has become complicated due to the pandemic. The Christmas season is a stressful time for many people, and it is proving to be worse with the added stress of COVID. So, it is a good idea to have some holiday fun, even if it doesn’t look normal. So how can a leader navigate through social distance requirements and still facilitate team bonding?
When things get busy, team building is often ignored. We all get busy at times, but it’s essential to do something to bring people together. Get creative with your team bonding activities, and if you need help, ask your staff for ideas.
Try having a virtual meeting that has a fun theme. While we all miss the usual coffee talk in the office, doing a virtual meeting is socially distanced and allows you to see each other’s faces. Set a theme of ugly sweaters, so there’s a conversation starter about where they got their fun sweater. You can even have ice breaker questions like, what is your favorite Christmas tradition? At the end of the event, have everyone vote on which sweater was the best and give out an award for the ugliest sweater.
Another fun bonding idea that is entirely socially distanced is to have your team show off their pets. Have everyone send in a festive picture of their pet to share with the whole office. If they don’t have a pet, maybe they could send a photo of their best festive baking experiment. As a leader, when sharing the pictures, remind the office of the importance of finding comfort in these times. Pets and baking are a great way to find comfort and can be an excellent icebreaker for newer employees.
If it is safe, you can have a holiday party in person with games and small-talk. Getting together is something that is rare this year, but finding an excuse to meet as one and put away work can be beneficial for you and your staff. Allowing staff time off during the regular workday is a great way to show them you care and that things can be fun at work. It not only allows you to connect with them in a different setting but also with each other. Having staff that feels connected improves motivation and creativity.
Find time in your busy schedule to spend time with your staff. It will boost their morale and make them feel like they belong. It will also help you feel more connected to everyone within the business. For more ideas on how to build a team even during a pandemic, contact us today.