Team bonding has always been tricky for me. I’ve organized my fair share of happy hours and team lunches, but they often feel forced—half the team looks at their phones, and the other half makes polite small talk. Last month, I tried something different: a volunteer day at a local animal shelter. We spent four hours walking dogs and organizing donations, and it was amazing to see everyone connect in a more relaxed, meaningful way. Now, I’m looking for more creative ideas that genuinely bring people together. What’s worked for your team? Any memorable bonding activities you’d recommend?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I totally get what you mean. I’ve organized happy hours and lunches too, but they often feel flat. The volunteer day idea sounds interesting—it’s definitely a step away from the typical “forced” activities. I’m still trying to find something more genuine that actually helps the team connect. Someone recently recommended bowling and it seems so obvious but I think I might actually give a try

Team bonding only works well if the culture in the operating space promotes collaboration rather than competition.

I’ve organized my fair share of these events and eventually realised that the overall culture has a lot to do than the activity itself. You’ll have to make people talk by introducing something interesting like a game or activity during that meetup. As a leader, you’ll have to drive this and get conversation out of people.

But this shouldn’t end right after the meet up. Even in office or during virtual meetings, there should be enough space for chill and open talk. Only then people will actually start bonding.

But yeah, it is also possible that certain people in the team tried talking to but didn’t like each other much so they won’t talk no matter how much you force.

Related Posts

Recommendations for ergonomic office chair? Wfh is going to go on for awhile so want to invest. Budget is about $300

like

Hello all,

I am Himanshu, from Haryana, working in Capgemini Pune,

I am looking for a flat or PG near to the office, if you are living among them and if you have any vacancy, please let me know and DM inbox

Thank you,

like

Hi friends,
I have an offer as per the attached. Can you please suggest how much can i expect in hand per month?

Post Photo
like

Yeah Buddy! We grew by 3 fish last week! Keep them coming! New members, invite a friend and say hello! I’m happy to sub your channel.

Post Photo
like

Did anybody buy a laptop from home computer reimbursement...how did the refund from the company ..was it all at once or monthly for 3 years

like

Today the cash register broke down while a customer was waiting with 4 pallets of Monster. He yelled at me.

like

What’s the best store you’ve ever worked at and why?

like
like

Has anyone’s credit score dropped dramatically? Mine dropped almost 20 points in one month and the reason says because the age of my accounts are low but I haven’t opened any new ones? wondering if it’s covid related somehow?

like

I have sent my letter to negotiate salary. Praying for good news!

like

I keep forgetting to ask about this but I noticed ever since my hysterectomy years ago I have arthritis (I think) in my fingers. Basically I can’t open things that I easily could before like jars, caps, and even ziploc bags. Has anyone else experienced this? Basically your hands and fingers feeling weaker, numb, painful or just not working? Any way to combat this? TIA 🐟

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near... - Isaiah 55:6

#DontMissOut

likeupliftinghelpful

Hi everyone! I will be on Philly for the first time this weekend. Looking for recommendations for breakfast/brunch spots and obviously philly cheesesteak! Any other tips about the city would be greatly appreciated

like
like

I'm looking for referral for EY GDS. For Salesforce Developer/ Sr. Salesforce Developer profile. YOE - 5 Can someone please refer me.EY

like

𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: Universal Reimagined Home Page Upgrade Coming to Preview & Production Instances 1H 2022 Release

Effective December, 2021, new instances by default are provisioned with the Latest (Reimagined) Home Page. 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞. Customers must also go live with the Latest Home Page.

#SAP #SuccessFactors #HomePage

Post Photo
like

Here in Brooklyn, the bishop closed all of the meetings in Catholic Churches. Not sure if that includes the rest of NY? Anyway, some groups have set Zoom meetings, a friend is hosting a small BB study

like

Hi,
I have been working as accountant for past 10 years at a logistics company. I want to change my route and join different industries for better challenges and opportunities. How can I approach new firms with this single industry background.

like

Additional Posts in People Managers

You're a new manager with direct reports. One of your directs is very determined. You consider yourself a good manager so you want to help them grow. They are killing it and taking on an enormous of workload, and executing flawlessly. Do you let them continue killing it? Ask how they're doing? Or warn/advise them on how to avoid burnout?

like

Any books suggestions?

like

What is your toughest challenge hiring someone in their early 20’s?
For lots of different reasons I get the impression that younger people aren’t equipped for the employer, employee relationship.

like

Anyone have suggestions on a team building exercise or consultant/coaching to build/improve energy. I feel 2020 was such a big drain on everyone’s energy and spirit just looking for ways to start the year out on a more positive note. TIA

like

Newer manager here (18 moths). Recent org announcements and hiring holds have put major stress on my team. Some are hyper focused on all the bad, how do I get buy-in that this is temporary and we still have a job to do? I feel it’s more important than ever to show value vs being task takers.

like

Looking for info about the engineering culture at Netflix from the perspective of someone who identifies as a woman or non-binary person and is also a person of color. Do you feel safe and included? Would also love some input from someone in a leadership position, do you feel supported as a leader?

like

Hi! Any career coaches who offer a full support throughout job search?

-Experience: 8 years of project/program management and/or communication
-Companies of interest: Google, Microsoft, Facebook
-Location: Washington DC or VA

Looking to apply for a manager role in my CS team. Any tips for the interview?

4 years of CS experience, no management experience

Whats your biggest challenge as a manager?

What do you enjoy most?

How do you manage your friends/people who used to be in your team?

Any interview tips appreciated! Last time failed the interview cause did not show a proper action plan. Find it tough as I do not know what challenges my manager has

like

I got into Management a year ago and now I miss developing. How do software engineers turned managers feel about their switch over to people management?

What was your salary as a first time manager (and where were you based)?

like

A report opened to me that they are having money problems and wants a raise. We are remote and they moved to a high CoL city. We gave an increase to help with retention 6mths ago. In my response, I helped mentor with best practices on how to ask for a raise professionally since I need to make a case to my Head on finances. But their performance has been avg and not seemingly worthy of another large raise within a short period of time. But how do I respond when they talk about personal finances?

like

Does anyone else just not even want to be a people manager anymore?! The amount of work this is taking, I’m just so over it. In addition to them piling on my work (which is a full time job) the people management stuff is just as much a full time job that no one in management seems to take into account. I have tried countless times to explain this but I end up burnt out, everyone suffers including me. I just left one role bc of it and now this new role, same thing. I’m over it.

like

It feels very telling that there are so few people in this group. Any thoughts on that? It feels like the vast majority of people managers only want the title and don’t want to worry about their people.

likesmart

For the past 25+ years, I've been a devops engineer, cloud architect and team lead on many projects. I would like to make a career move into IT Management (i.e. DevOps Manager, Director of Cloud Ops, etc.). When it comes to skills needed, what should my focus be on and how would that translate onto a resume? I would love to still be hands-on to utilize my tech knowledge.

like

I have issues “delegating” or simply assigning tasks, which as a Manager is a whole thing. Like I feel “bad” asking my people to do things that i know i can do but shouldn’t because it’s not up to me. When I assign a task i try to be super clear with instructions, give examples, help them get started…but I still feel bad. Idk. Anyone goes through this?

like

Hi. People Manager here. I've been one for 12 years now and I encourage my team to not be "yes" people. At this time, it feels like my manager wants me and my team to be yes people for her. How do I deal with this? I've never been a yes person and I don't preach this to my reports. I don't know what to do. Help?

One of my top talents just put in his two weeks notice and I had nothing to offer him to stay. I told upper management this was going to happen! I’ve spent months asking for a promotion for him, trying to push his career forward and got no traction. I know i did my best. He knows i tried. I still believe i work at a good place but i feel like we’re losing focus. I feel my boss is leaving soon. It’s a mess.

like

I have a direct report who is smart, passionate about her job and can be really innovative. However she carries this enormous weight of responsibility, for needing to do everything, do it right, make sure it's perfect, not trusting colleagues to help. It creates dread and panic and overwhelming workload and a terrible attitude for her and I am speaking with her this week to start to shift her mindset. Any tips in navigating how to let go of this heavy idea of "responsibility"?

likehelpful

We interviewed a great candidate, extended a verbal offer and she accepted. We sent the written offer a few days ago but she hasn’t opened it or accepted (it’s expiring tomorrow). Have you ever had to follow up? How did you handle it? My company is small with no HR, so I have to handle the hiring myself.

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal