Want to strengthen your culture?
Try a "spark": A simple, thoughtful action that anyone can easily do at any time to enhance the key components of a thriving culture (known, matter, and included). A spark doesn't take much, but it will make a difference to any team or team member who receives one.
Try some of our favorites below...
- Write a thank-you note. A simple thank-you note has incredible power and is often one of the items that gets stored and saved for years to come. As Lisa Jakub says, “if you have someone in your life that you are grateful for—someone to whom you want to write another heartfelt, slanted, misspelled thank you note—do it. Tell them they made you feel loved and supported. That they made you feel like you belonged somewhere and that you were not a freak. Tell them all of that. Tell them today.”
- Send a video thank-you. Hold up your cat (“even Fluffy is appreciative of your extra effort on the presentation!”) or make creative handwritten signs for the camera. The more personal and playful, the more memorable it becomes.
- Give a small gift with meaning. Give a token of your appreciation such as a pair of socks to warm their toes while they toil on the client project.
- Share a joyful photo. Snap a picture of you and your team smiling or giving a thumbs-up and text it to a colleague—it’s a small gesture that spreads connection instantly.
- Have a 5-minute de-stress dance break. It may feel awkward or silly, and it also makes people feel included, even if it's just through witnessing and sharing the story later.
- Give your undivided attention. Next time someone wants your attention regarding an idea, concern, or suggestion they want to share: Stop whatever you’re doing, put your phone down or turn away from your computer, face them, and listen like there’s no one else in the world and nowhere you’d rather be.
- Celebrate a win. Highlight progress or small victories that haven’t yet been acknowledged. You can also add on things like sparklers, kazoos or other fun markers to make the moment memorable and bring the team together.
- Spread the appreciation. Tell someone on another team about something your team member did well—and then ask the person you told to circle back and appreciate your team member. Taking the time to mention their work to someone else is a powerful way to show how much they matter.
- Host a favorite family recipe swap - By having everyone share a favorite family recipe you're nourishing the remembrance of one another as part of a larger eco-system of relationships outside of work. If you're an on-site team you may even choose to host a potluck!
A spark doesn’t need to be big or complicated. What matters is showing your team that they're known, they matter and they are included.
A little spark goes a long way.
Restore Joy & Vitality Framework
80% employees have felt burned out at their current job, according to Gallup. (Burnout is defined as high levels of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy.)
So if you are feeling overwhelmed, or your team is a bit crispy—know you are not alone. Also know you and your team do NOT need to be part of this statistic. After doing this work for many years, we have picked the most powerful practices to take back your vitality and restore joy to your daily workday.
