The Secret Sauce to Team Connection
Let’s face it: hybrid and remote work have dropped us into a new era where ‘connection’ feels both more important—and somehow harder to come by. Our teams are getting bigger, our projects more complex, but we’re often not even in the same room.
And here’s why connection matters. Research shows that teams who genuinely connect don’t just get along—they’re more resilient, adaptable, and productive. When people feel close to their team and leader, trust goes up, and with it, the willingness to get vulnerable and solve problems together. It’s like jet fuel for teamwork, especially when things get tricky. Connection is so powerful; I dedicated a whole chapter to it in The Alchemy of Talent. So, if you're up for a deep dive into the science, Chapter 4’s got your back!
In addition to going deep with the research and leadership skills and behaviors, I also love to offer my audience quick, practical guidance that can drive connection on their teams. In my own experience leading distributed teams, even small, intentional connection rituals can foster a connected, resilient team. During the pandemic, my team and I crafted simple yet powerful connection moments that built trust and, frankly, made Mondays a little less... Monday.
Here are two of my favorite rituals that really made a difference:
“Wired, Tired, Inspired” Check-ins: Each week, we’d share what’s got us wired (excited), tired (challenged), and inspired (looking forward to). It sounds simple, but over time, we built a shared understanding that helped us celebrate wins and support each other through tough days. This low-lift ritual became a part of our Monday stand-up and the team shared that they looked forward to it each week.
Fantastic Fudge-Ups: Yes, we celebrated mistakes! Creating a “Fantastic Fudge-Up” moment in meetings allowed us to share learnings without the fear of judgment. The result? A culture where people could innovate and fail forward, all while getting a good laugh. This ritual was particularly helpful to us when we were designing new, innovative programs and products. Whenever you’re in a zero-to-one build, mistakes are necessary for innovation, so a ritual that destigmatized mistakes really helped us build a culture that drove innovation over time.
Remote or in-person, these small but mighty rituals build a sense of connection, making teams not just work better, but feel better too. And let’s be honest—that’s something we can all appreciate in today’s world.
If you like these practical tips, and a little level-up on behavioral science, make sure to check out my new book, “The Alchemy of Talent: Leading Teams to Peak Performance.” Available now from Amplify Publishing or on pre-order (ships December 3rd) on Amazon.
