Team building events often form the cornerstone of a company’s cultural design, conducted with the utmost rigor, and revered as the ultimate display of a team’s close-knittedness. But after so many years of events (being in both attending and planning roles) and after building a successful remote squad, I think it’s time we stopped measuring the events success with only one metric- turnout numbers.
The impact and essence of the culture we’ve built don’t reveal themselves when scrutinized by sheer metrics. Genuine connections, shared values, and authentic interactions are the intangibles that draw our teams together. Whether it’s a book club with 25 members, a radio hour with just 50 attendants, an assemblage of 300 poetry lovers, or a town hall with record-breaking attendance – every event is unique and just as valuable in its own right.
The softer elements in a team’s cultural fabric weave the most compelling narrative. The micro-moments when team members find common ground – whether that be over their love for the outdoors or for singing – and when they choose to remain connected and practice compassion towards one another – these, I would say, are more telling of your company culture.
Every activity is different and presents a unique platform to nurture diverse connections. As leaders, the best we can and should do is to create avenues for our teams to interact authentically. Rather than only following a number-driven success metric, foster an environment where our culture can grow organically.
After all, it’s about allowing the collective spirit of our teams to shape culture naturally – wouldn’t you agree?