As I reflect on our recent end-of-year celebration organized by one team for another, I am left with mixed emotions. On one hand, it was undoubtedly a fun and festive gathering, replete with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and lively music that got everyone on their feet and dancing. However, as I looked around at the familiar faces of my colleagues, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this celebration had failed to achieve its true purpose – fostering connections among our diverse team.
The organizing team is undoubtedly a tight-knit group. Their camaraderie is well-documented, and it was heartening to see them enjoying each other’s company in their usual effervescent manner. However, for those of us from the other side of the organization, this gathering felt like just another event where we were expected to fit in without any meaningful interactions or connections.
The planners’ approach seemed to echo the phrase “if all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.” In this context, it appears that they relied heavily on tried-and-tested formulas for gatherings – plenty of food and drinks, loud music, and dancing – without putting much thought into intentionally creating meaningful interactions among participants. This approach resulted in an event that was enjoyable but shallow, lacking the depth and substance that we truly crave.
As someone who has been part of this organization for a while now, I have to admit that I didn’t feel any closer to my colleagues or the leadership team as a result of this celebration. In fact, I couldn’t help but wonder if our efforts to build relationships and foster a sense of community were being hindered by events like these.
However, I want to emphasize that I believe gatherings can be an excellent way to unwind and socialize, and I’m not suggesting that we should abandon them entirely. Instead, I propose that we take some steps to make future events more intentional and meaningful.
Here are a few suggestions for improvement:
- Incorporate team-building activities: Consider adding some structured activities or icebreakers that encourage collaboration and conversation among colleagues from different areas of the organization.
- Facilitate small group discussions: Encourage participants to break into smaller groups of 5-7 people, allowing them to engage in more intimate conversations and build connections with colleagues they may not have otherwise interacted with.
- Add a personal touch: Consider adding some personal or team-specific elements to the gathering, such as photo booths, customized decorations, or even a group video message from our leadership team.
- Encourage mingling: Plan the layout of the event space to encourage mingling and movement among participants. This could include setting up different stations or areas with unique activities or themes.
- Follow-up with a survey or feedback session: After the event, consider sending out a survey or hosting a follow-up meeting to gather feedback from attendees on what they enjoyed (and didn’t enjoy) about the gathering.
By incorporating these suggestions, I believe we can create events that are not only enjoyable but also meaningful and memorable. Let’s work together to create gatherings that truly foster collaboration, mutual respect, and camaraderie among our colleagues.
I urge the organizing team and leadership to take a step back and reassess their approach to building connections through events like this. With some intentional planning and creativity, I’m confident that we can create gatherings that bring us closer together as a community.