If you read our most recent article on teamwork skills (if not, look no further), you’ll know that teamwork skills are the foundation of a productive and healthy workplace. At the core of a strong team is camaraderie, a sense of trust and closeness shared by a group of people.
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When identifying whether or not a team has a strong sense of camaraderie, some telltale signs are: 

• Strong communication
• A culture of checking in and making sure each team member is in a good place professionally and personally
• A warm atmosphere 
• Collaboration is a central part of the workday 
• A good balance between work and play

Nurturing a bonded team isn’t something that usually brings happiness from day one. Creating a sense of closeness amongst employees is often a long-term investment, as team members who feel a deep camaraderie will likely stay with a company for the long term. Besides the obvious financial burden it can cause, the benefits of a lower turnover rate are instilling confidence in new employees that your company is a great place to work, demonstrated by a close-knit team that genuinely enjoys being together. 

Now that we’ve established what defines camaraderie in the workplace, let’s go over how to create that bond. Here are ten ways to encourage strong connection amongst team members, whether you’re just starting or have been working together for years.

1. Recognize the importance of onboarding

Introducing a new team member is an ideal opportunity to reassess team camaraderie. Ensure that you have a solid onboarding process that will make integration smooth and open for the new employee and existing team members. 

Set aside enough time for training and group activities to allow the whole team to get to know their new member, such as playing games or going out for after-work drinks. New employee onboarding is an opportunity to make sure expectations are set from the moment and that new members feel included from day one. 

Companies that overlook the importance of onboarding can find themselves dealing with problems down the line, such as poor communication or new employees feeling lost and unable to complete their jobs due to a lack of training. 

2.  Provide clarity

As the workplace shifts, many companies, especially startups, are touting flat hierarchy in the workplace. While it sounds nice in theory it can be difficult to establish boundaries when there isn’t someone who is willing to take the lead. Establishing leadership does not mean that employees have to lose autonomy, rather it gives teams the confidence that someone is keeping track of what needs to be done. 

Leadership should consistently provide clarity regarding tasks, expectations, and needs of the company so that teams can plan accordingly and voice potential setbacks should they occur. When there is a lack of leadership, understanding what needs to be done can get confusing, and lead to employee dissatisfaction in the long run. 

3. Volunteer together

Doing good together is a great way to connect over a shared cause. Choose several local organizations and discuss with your team which ones they feel connected to before you decide where to volunteer. 

Some organizations you could consider:

• Local animal shelter
• Soup kitchen
• Young adults organization, like after school program or summer camp
• Public organization, like painting a mural or setting up a bike path
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If part of your team is remote, consider bringing them out for the event and having them work at the office with the rest of the team for a week or two. 

4. Encourage continuing education

Every company owner and their team knows that a job description is subject to change, especially for those working in the startup world. Company owners must remain vigilant when tracking changing needs in their industry, not just for company performance but also for their team members. 

Keeping a close eye on available tools, online courses, and skills that will enhance your team’s workflow is a great way to show your team that you are dedicated to their growth. Offer to pay for continuing education, send team members to conferences or industry events that will help them make valuable connections and connect to their work more meaningfully. 

5. Talk to your team

Ah, communication is the solution to everything, right? Well, yes, as long as that communication is meaningful. Talking to your team in various capacities, such as hosting monthly check-ins with management or during a Friday cocktail hour. 

Some ways to make sure you are always staying connected can be:

• Regular check-ins
• Employee surveys
• Monthly team meetings
• Open door policy, where management encourages employees to come and discuss issues if they arise
• Ask your team if they need anything to make their job more accessible and more productive

While not every conversation will be easy, making space for regular communication will ensure that issues don’t build up and team members feel that they can be honest and transparent with management. 

6. Show your appreciation 

Your employees work hard (and if they don’t, there’s probably a disconnect happening somewhere in your company culture, in which case this article is sure to help!), so let them know how much you appreciate their efforts. 

Some simple and effective ways to show how much you value your team are:

• Offer a tech budget. Ensure your workers have everything they need that makes their job easier, such as a well-functioning laptop, cellphone, and subscriptions to tools they need for work.
• Prioritize health and wellness. Many companies provide a wellness budget, which could be anything from a discounted gym membership or a stipend for exercise, yoga, meditation, etc. 
• Buy your employees lunch. If you work together in the same office or city, regularly treat the whole team to lunch. Getting together over an office pizza or going for cocktails on a Friday night is a great way to bring everyone together and demonstrate that you value their hard work. 

In addition to taking on these actionable items to show your employees that you recognize their work, showing appreciation will create a positive atmosphere that will make your company a great place to work. 

7. Demonstrate trust

Many of us have experienced an overbearing boss or leader, and that scenario can be a stressful experience. Micromanagement is one of the leading reasons employees leave their jobs, and it’s not just because of stress but because it feels wrong (really bad) not to feel trusted. Without trust, workers doubt their capabilities, resulting in poor performance and often leaving their positions. 

While it’s up to leaders not to micromanage, those who build an employer-employee relationship based on trust from the jump often see a domino effect, resulting in a healthy team culture.

8. Be inclusive

Inclusivity is essential when nurturing team camaraderie. Whether you are all working together in person, virtual, or a combination of both, creating a sense of connection and trust between all team members nearby is necessary. Set aside a time each week or month to get together with the whole team, whether they work in the office next door or call in from a beach in Thailand. 

Tips for virtual and hybrid teams: 

• Establish a regular meet-up. Depending on time constraints, set up a weekly or bi-weekly meeting to review everyone’s professional progress or a roundtable to discuss challenges and success. Hence, everyone in the company understands everyone’s role and can be a source of support when needed.
• Game nights and Icebreakers. In addition to a regular meet-up focused on work-related tasks, make sure that virtual teams get to know one another by playing icebreaker games centered on connection. 
• Establish a group chat. Encourage employees to make a comprehensive profile that includes some fun and personal information about themselves and make a group chat where everyone can chat and joke around throughout the day. An open channel where team members can connect regularly will help create a sense of closeness and is a great way to introduce new members.‍

It can be challenging for hybrid teams, as those who work in close proximity naturally have more opportunities to connect daily, while those working online might get left behind (even if unintentionally). 

Luckily, over the past several years, remote work has become much more commonplace, if not standard, in the modern workplace, making it easier for employers to find ways to bring people together. 

9. Regular get-togethers

Much like showing appreciation, a regular get-together with the whole team lets employees know you value them in and outside the workplace. Whether you are going for a weekly lunch or organizing a day of games at the local park or taking the afternoon off at the end of the week, creates space for spontaneous conversation and establishes a healthy work/life balance.

If you’re pressed for time, throwing an office party is a great way to offset stress during busy periods. Dress up, decorate the office, and have fun together.

10. Team retreats

Packing up and hitting the road (or sky) together to spend a long weekend, week, or even more in a different location with the whole team has a wealth of benefits. Organizing a team retreat is especially important these days, as many teams are spread out worldwide, so making a dedicated time and space for them to connect should be baked into your company handbook!

Make sure you don’t just book an Airbnb on the beach and hope for the best. Planning is integral to making the most of your company retreat, so strategizing and setting times for work-related tasks, including outings and having fun together, is all part of the process.

The Surf Office team are experts in developing and executing productive and relaxing teambuilding retreats based on your team’s specific needs.

Establishing team camaraderie doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t get frustrated if you face challenges or hit roadblocks occasionally. Everyone has their workflows and needs, so taking the time to understand how your employees work best is essential when building a team. Taking these unique workstyles and needs and create a foundation on which you can build a healthy and productive company culture.