🌟 Fostering Connections
Connect meetings are about relationships. These meetings foster a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and trust.
They’re essential for team culture, morale, and psychological safety. While they may not always have hard deliverables, they provide the foundation for stronger collaboration across other meeting types.
Icebreaker
Including an icebreaker at the start of a meeting helps set a positive tone, encourage participation, and build stronger team connections. This is especially useful for new teams, virtual meetings, or cross-functional groups.
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Example: "What’s one fun thing you did this weekend?"
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Example: "If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?"
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When to Use: Team check-ins, brainstorming sessions, or when introducing new members.
Non-Work Topics
A brief non-work discussion can create a more engaged, comfortable, and collaborative atmosphere. These moments foster relationships and make meetings feel less rigid.
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Example: "Did anyone watch the big game last night?"
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Example: "Any good book or movie recommendations?"
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When to Use: Before diving into the main agenda to build rapport.
Highlights
Kickstarting a meeting with recent wins or notable achievements sets a positive tone and keeps the team motivated.
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Example: "Last week, we successfully launched [Project Name] - shoutout to [Team Member] for leading the effort!"
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Example: "Our sales team just hit a major milestone - let’s celebrate the hard work!"
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When to Use: Leadership meetings, team retrospectives, and all-hands meetings.
Gratitude
Taking a moment to express gratitude can boost morale and reinforce a culture of appreciation. Recognising effort and contributions helps people feel valued and engaged.
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Example: "A huge thanks to [Team Member] for staying late to finalise the report!"
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Example: "Appreciate everyone’s flexibility last week while we adjusted priorities!"
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When to Use: Weekly team meetings, retrospectives, or any meeting where collaboration was key.
Sample Meetings That Fit This Category:
- End-of-week wind-down or drinks
- Coffee chat or virtual tea time
- Birthday or celebration gathering
- Monthly team social event
- Offsite cultural bonding session
- Informal check-in with a client or partner