As the year winds down, it’s a perfect time to bring teams together for activities that strengthen relationships, celebrate achievements, and set the stage for a successful year ahead. Scheduling meaningful activities can help teams reflect on their progress, build camaraderie, and align on goals. Here are some engaging team activities to consider before the year ends:
1. Reflective Year-End Review and Celebration
Take a moment to celebrate the team’s achievements! Host a year-end review where everyone can share their wins, learnings, and proudest moments. You could create a collaborative timeline of key milestones reached during the year or a “Wall of Wins” where each team member posts their highlights. This activity is an excellent way to acknowledge contributions and build morale. Conclude with a celebration, whether it's a virtual happy hour, catered lunch, or a fun outing, to thank the team for their hard work and dedication.
2. Goal Setting Workshop for the New Year
Setting a clear vision for the upcoming year can be a powerful motivator. Hold a goal-setting workshop where team members brainstorm and set individual and team goals. Tools like Jennifer’s *PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner* can be instrumental here, helping teams outline SMART goals and establish a quarterly action plan. Encourage team members to think about both professional growth and collaborative goals to foster a sense of collective purpose. This workshop can also integrate personal growth objectives, encouraging employees to connect their ambitions to the team’s larger mission.
3. Skill-Building Mini Retreat
Consider organizing a half-day skill-building retreat that focuses on a specific competency relevant to your team. Whether it’s effective communication, creativity in problem-solving, or technical upskilling, dedicating time to growth can be a valuable investment in the team’s development. Bring in a guest speaker, organize interactive workshops, or facilitate group discussions around selected themes. These retreats can not only upskill team members but also reinforce the message that continuous learning is integral to the team’s culture.
4. Team Bonding Activity or Outing
Plan a fun, low-stakes outing to help team members connect in a relaxed environment. Options include a team lunch, escape room challenge, cooking class, or outdoor adventure. For remote teams, a virtual team-bonding activity like a trivia game, online escape room, or virtual paint night can be equally engaging. The aim is to give team members a chance to interact outside of work contexts, fostering camaraderie and strengthening interpersonal relationships.
5. Gratitude and Recognition Session
As the year ends, it’s a meaningful time to express appreciation. Host a “Gratitude Hour” where team members can acknowledge each other’s contributions. Consider using a structured approach, like having each person give “shout-outs” to colleagues for specific acts of support, creativity, or perseverance. Simple gestures like this can leave team members feeling valued and recognized. Closing the session with small tokens of appreciation or thank-you notes from leaders can add a personal touch.
6. Reflect and Recharge Session
A structured session to reflect on challenges faced, lessons learned, and goals achieved can offer valuable insights. Encourage team members to identify what worked well and areas for improvement. This reflection can be combined with a mindfulness or well-being activity, like a short meditation or breathing exercise, to help everyone recharge. Ending the session with personal or team resolutions for the coming year can be an inspiring note to wrap up on.
These activities are more than just a break from work; they’re an opportunity to enhance team alignment, celebrate shared successes, and prepare for the upcoming year with renewed enthusiasm and clarity. Taking the time to connect and reflect can leave a lasting impact on the team’s dynamics and foster a strong start to the new year.
Want support in facilitating these? Contact me to discuss how we can build it out, and/or facilitate it for you, virtually or in-person. Reach out and email me with Team Building Support in the header to [email protected] or give me a call 416.996.8326
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Jennifer
1. Reflective Year-End Review and Celebration
Take a moment to celebrate the team’s achievements! Host a year-end review where everyone can share their wins, learnings, and proudest moments. You could create a collaborative timeline of key milestones reached during the year or a “Wall of Wins” where each team member posts their highlights. This activity is an excellent way to acknowledge contributions and build morale. Conclude with a celebration, whether it's a virtual happy hour, catered lunch, or a fun outing, to thank the team for their hard work and dedication.
2. Goal Setting Workshop for the New Year
Setting a clear vision for the upcoming year can be a powerful motivator. Hold a goal-setting workshop where team members brainstorm and set individual and team goals. Tools like Jennifer’s *PlanDoTrack Workbook and Planner* can be instrumental here, helping teams outline SMART goals and establish a quarterly action plan. Encourage team members to think about both professional growth and collaborative goals to foster a sense of collective purpose. This workshop can also integrate personal growth objectives, encouraging employees to connect their ambitions to the team’s larger mission.
3. Skill-Building Mini Retreat
Consider organizing a half-day skill-building retreat that focuses on a specific competency relevant to your team. Whether it’s effective communication, creativity in problem-solving, or technical upskilling, dedicating time to growth can be a valuable investment in the team’s development. Bring in a guest speaker, organize interactive workshops, or facilitate group discussions around selected themes. These retreats can not only upskill team members but also reinforce the message that continuous learning is integral to the team’s culture.
4. Team Bonding Activity or Outing
Plan a fun, low-stakes outing to help team members connect in a relaxed environment. Options include a team lunch, escape room challenge, cooking class, or outdoor adventure. For remote teams, a virtual team-bonding activity like a trivia game, online escape room, or virtual paint night can be equally engaging. The aim is to give team members a chance to interact outside of work contexts, fostering camaraderie and strengthening interpersonal relationships.
5. Gratitude and Recognition Session
As the year ends, it’s a meaningful time to express appreciation. Host a “Gratitude Hour” where team members can acknowledge each other’s contributions. Consider using a structured approach, like having each person give “shout-outs” to colleagues for specific acts of support, creativity, or perseverance. Simple gestures like this can leave team members feeling valued and recognized. Closing the session with small tokens of appreciation or thank-you notes from leaders can add a personal touch.
6. Reflect and Recharge Session
A structured session to reflect on challenges faced, lessons learned, and goals achieved can offer valuable insights. Encourage team members to identify what worked well and areas for improvement. This reflection can be combined with a mindfulness or well-being activity, like a short meditation or breathing exercise, to help everyone recharge. Ending the session with personal or team resolutions for the coming year can be an inspiring note to wrap up on.
These activities are more than just a break from work; they’re an opportunity to enhance team alignment, celebrate shared successes, and prepare for the upcoming year with renewed enthusiasm and clarity. Taking the time to connect and reflect can leave a lasting impact on the team’s dynamics and foster a strong start to the new year.
Want support in facilitating these? Contact me to discuss how we can build it out, and/or facilitate it for you, virtually or in-person. Reach out and email me with Team Building Support in the header to [email protected] or give me a call 416.996.8326
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton, MES, ACTC – PCC, CHRL, CPT
CEO, Head Coach and Author
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
Instagram:@ReconnectingWorkspaces @CoachingBusinessBuilder
Looking for bite-sized boosts to your work as a coach, leader or during your onboarding process? Check out our Card Decks. Now available on Deckible:
90-Day Guide for Success – Deck 1 – Days 1 – 30 (for new leaders, onboarding or those wanting a sprint) – https://bit.ly/90dayguidedeck1
ACTIVATE Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (for coaches) – https://bit.ly/activatedeck
Pick up a copy of Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World at Amazon – https://bit.ly/reconnectingworkspaces.
Check out my latest TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_coaching_teams_through_chaos
Set up a call with myself or my team to learn more about how we can support you through our card decks, customized team development and leadership training, OR award-winning ICF CCE approved Coach Training programs – https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
CEO, Head Coach and Author
Potentials Realized | Group Coaching Essentials
Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
Instagram:@ReconnectingWorkspaces @CoachingBusinessBuilder
Looking for bite-sized boosts to your work as a coach, leader or during your onboarding process? Check out our Card Decks. Now available on Deckible:
90-Day Guide for Success – Deck 1 – Days 1 – 30 (for new leaders, onboarding or those wanting a sprint) – https://bit.ly/90dayguidedeck1
ACTIVATE Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers (for coaches) – https://bit.ly/activatedeck
Pick up a copy of Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World at Amazon – https://bit.ly/reconnectingworkspaces.
Check out my latest TEDx talk – Coaching Teams Through Chaos at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_coaching_teams_through_chaos
Set up a call with myself or my team to learn more about how we can support you through our card decks, customized team development and leadership training, OR award-winning ICF CCE approved Coach Training programs – https://calendly.com/jennbritton/15-minute-exploration-call
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