Fostering Team Cohesion in a Hybrid World

As we navigate the return to office strategy, many of us have embraced a hybrid approach, with some team members returning to the physical office in a part-time, full-time or flexible capacity.

Team cohesion is about rapport and a sense of connection that enables us to work together toward a common goal. Meeting goals together is one part of team cohesion, while the other is staying resilient and united as a team in the face of adversity. We’ve been weathering various forms of change together over the past few years, professionally and personally, and have figured out some helpful strategies along the way.

Traditionally, we’ve relied on proximity with our coworkers to create a sense of purpose and connection. In order to cultivate a cohesive sense of team culture and camaraderie moving forward, the things that bring us together have to resonate beyond the physical walls of a workspace.

Many of the things that helped us feel connected before still apply, we might just have to get a little more creative in how we implement them. Here are some basic principles to consider.

8 Ways to Cultivate Team Cohesion

Keep the big picture in mind

Building a successful team is an ongoing process of people working together toward a common goal. In a time where we’re seeing some team members less frequently, it becomes even more important to remind everyone of our shared purpose and common goals – the ‘why’ behind what we do. Leaders can talk about it and cast vision in meetings and team members can find ways to remind themselves and each other why we’re here and what we’re working toward.

Keep everyone in the loop

It might sound obvious but with team flexibility and people in and out of the office, it’s important that people are kept in the loop. It’s easy to have multiple conversations in-person and forget to update those who aren’t there, whether due to remote work or working different shifts. No one likes FOMO (fear of missing out) or feeling disconnected. Maintaining a sense of fairness and connection means keeping everyone updated on opportunities and what’s going on.

Encourage meetups

Grabbing a coffee or having an impromptu chat when we’re working together in person is easy. If you’re continually missing in-person time with certain team members, consider organising a coffee catch-up in-person or virtually to keep that relationship going. Often it is those little unplanned social interactions that help us feel connected, so in a hybrid situation you may have to schedule in a little social time.

Create routines and regularity

There is power in consistency. It gives us a sense of certainty and familiarity. While life is shifting and work schedules are changing, how can you create a sense of consistency within your team? Maybe it’s as simple as a daily or weekly meeting – same time, same place/channel. Knowing something is slotted in regularly can alleviate anxiety. There’s a great Harvard Business Review article about the 'Restorative Power of Ritual' if you want to understand more. And by ritual they don’t mean some elaborate or religious thing, they just mean something that happens again and again and again…aka consistently.

Take regular pulse checks

If you’re a leader, do you know how your people are feeling? If you’re a team member, do you know how your teammates are doing? Take the time to check in on each other, especially if you’re not seeing each other as often. Little touchpoints can go a long way in combatting the sense of isolation or disconnection that can happen during remote or hybrid situations. Like the bystander effect, we can often assume that someone else will do it. Be the someone who does it.

Do a fun team building activity

Whether that’s an in-person event or registering a team for an upcoming team challenge on Synergy Health's workplace wellbeing platform, find fun ways to come together and just have a laugh. Or create some friendly competition. Up to you.

Let's not forget trust

We know that trust is the number one factor in healthy teams. A culture of trust means we can count on others to work toward shared goals, create emotional safety, and prioritise team success over individual gain. Focusing on our common purpose and goals, having clearly defined processes and appropriate behaviours that are adhered to, and effectively communicating all work toward building and maintaining trust.

Learn from each other

Do you know of another team or district that seems to be thriving? Ask them what they’re doing. You might be surprised at what things are effective. It could be as simple as sticking to a regular team meeting time or the power of informal one-on-ones.  

Key Message

There are lots of ways to help your team feel connected. Just start looking for little connection points, take the time to check that people are included in the relevant communication, and remember to have some fun together.