The holiday season is upon us (yes, really), and it provides ample opportunities to build camaraderie and team spirit at your business with a little effort and a little food.
Making the Effort
Many companies have some form of employee appreciation program, but those that don’t have not realized how gestures, both big and small, truly help build a sense of friendship, teamwork, and loyalty among a staff. And just as with other relationships, the easiest way to approach this is to begin with food. Did you consider passing out candy hearts for Valentine’s Day? Importantly, we’re not talking about setting down a bowl and walking away, but rather recognizing each individual with a token of your appreciation for them being a part of your team. If conversation hearts or foil-wrapped treats aren’t your favorite, how about a smile plus a simple “hey, thanks for your hard work” for each member of your team?
Upgrading to a Plan
When random acts of kindness become too few and too far between, it’s probably time to develop a plan so the urgent voices pulling you in multiple directions don’t drown out the subtle whispers that remind you to be kind. Next up will be St. Patrick’s Day. Although cooking corned beef and cabbage for everyone would be excessive, there are other ways to capitalize on the merriment and mirth of the holiday. It may sound corny, but encouraging everyone to dress in green and awarding small prizes to those who participate is a fun way to bring your team together. The degree of complexity for the contest is up to you, and you can adjust it to make the most sense for your time and place.
If you won’t be ready for St. Patrick’s Day, then how about Easter? The first week of April will be flush with cream-filled eggs and marshmallow peeps. Yes, the actual holiday will have been on March 31, but that’s not the point. The point is to show your team members that you appreciate them!
If you think that Easter doesn’t qualify as an April holiday this year, then how about Tax Day, April 15th? Looking ahead to May, Cinco de Mayo is becoming very popular, but another option is Armed Forces Day. If you’re not a party planner at heart, then delegate! Odds are, you have someone on your team who would love to organize some fun and frivolity.
Teamwork is not all work—it’s also the privilege of building a team. It’s never a bad time to show your appreciation and build some camaraderie too.