It is well-known that routine work engagements and formal office environments often provide open communication channels for employees to relax. However, it took me some time to grasp what holistic team engagement truly means outside the four walls of an office. While regular office dynamics involve numerous meetings, workshops, and routine interactions, they often fail to allow to unwind and unshackle their formal postures. After assessing these equations, I implemented specific out-of-the-box engagement tools to bolster my team-building intent. As leaders, it is imperative that we move beyond traditional engagement approaches to create an ecosystem where our people feel connected, not just as employees, but as valued contributors to a shared purpose.
In my pursuit to build the dream team and extend that spirit throughout the organisation, I introduced several outreach initiatives. Building a high-performing team requires going beyond everyday work tasks and office activities. The challenge lies in devising innovative yet novel strategies. We ensured that these strategies were impactful in strengthening relationships, boosting morale, promoting trust and collaboration, and fostering personal connections.
Some outreach events included a culinary competition for C-suite executives, an annual carnival for frontline workers and a family day out that included employees’ families. We developed these concepts carefully and executed them with thunderous success, which ultimately proved very effective and paved the way for the entire organisation to embrace. These high-impact initiatives transformed how we connect, collaborate, and support one another. Some events even inspired others in our industry to follow suit.
Here are a few examples of these innovative initiatives:
1. Team-building Retreats or Off-Site Events
Organising retreats, workshops, or off-site events allowed team members to bond in a relaxed environment. These activities included problem-solving challenges, outdoor adventures, and casual meetups encouraging open communication.
2. Social and Casual Gatherings
We created a calendar of events, including festive occasions, iftars, and informal gatherings such as dinners, happiness hours, or team outings. These events helped break down barriers, allowing people to connect as individuals and families rather than just coworkers, improving team dynamics and especially family outreach that fostered an extended sense of company loyalty.
3. Collaborative Giving back and Volunteering
We made Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) work an essential team-building activity. This was not only part of our core values but also expanded under our leadership. Engaging in community projects strengthened our organisational commitment to giving back, enhanced team bonding, and fostered a sense of shared purpose. Coming together for such projects gave us a sense of accomplishment and pride outside of work goals.
4. Brainstorming & Learning and Development Workshops
We organised workshops and learning sessions that promoted personal or professional growth, addressing topics like mindfulness, leadership development, and creative thinking. Such interactions led to individual and team growth, often sparking new ideas and enthusiasm
5. Mentorship Programs
Opportunities were created for experienced team members to mentor others. One flagship project, our Young Leaders Program, encouraged knowledge sharing and enhanced individual growth and team cohesion.
6. Celebrating Personal Milestones
Acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries, and personal achievements such as completing a marathon, buying a house or securing a driving license is a Herculean milestone, especially in GCC, demonstrating our value for team members as individuals, not just employees. Such celebrations create a sense of family spirit through small gestures or larger gatherings.
7. Outdoor or Physical Activities
Encouraging physical activities like cycling, sports, or fitness challenges promoted health while providing opportunities for employees to bond outside of work. These events help enhance team collaboration and mental well-being. We held regular sports events, including annual cricket and soccer tournaments, ensuring that diversity and inclusion were upheld across different interests and backgrounds.
8. Fostering Open Communication
Regular, informal one-on-one meetings or open forums where team members feel heard can be very effective. Listening to and engaging with the team outside structured business contexts is crucial for building trust and transparency. I initiated small mixed-team lunches with various levels of staff to foster relationships and break down communication barriers. This initiative was not only undertaken by me but also by other C-suite members, who regularly met with teams from different departments.
9. Encouraging Creativity and Talent Development
We encouraged our teams to participate in non-work-related creative activities such as cooking classes, art workshops, and singing and dancing competitions. These activities allowed our team members to think outside the box and approach challenges from different perspectives while strengthening their confidence and collaborative skills. Additionally, they promoted engagement with team members from other departments by forming social groups. We recognised how this helps build relationships beyond their immediate workgroups, fostering a more integrated company culture and overall team synergy.
I strongly believe that building a feedback culture is vital to strengthening employee engagement. Creating a space for open, non-judgmental feedback outside of typical performance reviews helps employees feel valued. We established a “Speak Out” platform where team members can express their concerns and ideas in a safe, supportive environment that fosters growth.
Engagement in the activities discussed has paved the way for building a powerful connection with our employees. We realised how such efforts can nurture a work environment that values connection, collaboration, and support, ultimately strengthening the team inside and outside the office. Our out-of-the-box approach and creative activities energised the team and significantly boosted morale.