Building a team culture through rituals and practices
The role rituals play in teams
Team culture comprises the little things we do together—the rituals and practices that create a sense of belonging and make people feel like they truly belong to the team. Whether it’s a Monday morning stand-up, a cheeky Friday drink, or a quirky team tradition, these shared moments go far beyond just reinforcing culture—they build connection and camaraderie.
Rituals say a lot about a team’s creativity, playfulness, and trust. Even the light-hearted ones can have a lasting impact. I once worked with an innovation team of 50 people from 17 European countries, and we came up with a simple ‘agile dance’—a fun arm-waving routine to get the energy up during low points. Six months later, they insisted on doing it, proving how powerful those silly little practices can be in forging strong bonds.
There’s also solid psychological science behind why shared activities work so well. Research shows that when people perform actions together, their brain activity synchronises, fostering unity. It’s the same principle behind ancient rituals like the Haka performed by the New Zealand All Blacks or the dances armies used to perform before battle. We might not be shouting war cries in the office (unless you work in a very unusual office!), but we can apply that principle to bring our teams closer together.
Hybrid Work: The challenge of staying connected
With hybrid work now the norm, keeping those connections alive is trickier. Instead of forcing two days a week in the office—because, let’s face it, no one wants to commute to sit at a desk—think about what your team needs to accomplish together and what kind of rhythm works best for them. For instance, sprint-based teams might thrive on monthly hackathons to spark creativity, while others might benefit from quarterly strategy sessions facilitated by an external expert. The key is to make the time together count, ensuring it's purposeful and aligned with the team’s goals.
Time-based rituals: Finding balance
Time is a powerful force that shapes how we work. From the changing seasons to the traditional 9-to-5 grind, time dictates our habits. In today’s flexible world, setting clear boundaries around working hours is more important than ever. Without them, work can easily start creeping into personal time, and let’s be honest, nobody wants that.
Innovation doesn’t fit into a 9-to-5 box, either. As Parkinson’s law famously says, “work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” So, the rituals that help your team manage their time effectively, protect their well-being, and prevent burnout are worth considering. Here are a few time-based rituals to consider:
Regular Team Days: Hold weekly, monthly, or quarterly in-person days where your team can work and bond together.
Daily Stand-Ups: Start the day with quick check-ins, making room for everyone’s personal commitments—whether that’s school runs, family responsibilities, or just getting some time for themselves.
Co-working Time: Schedule silent work sessions on Zoom, with short check-ins at the start and end. This surprisingly boosts accountability and focus.
Time Limit Tax: Meetings that run over? The person who called it has to donate to a “Friday Fun” fund. It keeps things in check and adds a bit of fun!
Celebrating success (and failure)
Rituals also shape how we celebrate the wins—and the lessons learned from things that didn’t quite work out. We often forget that failure is just as important as success when it comes to growth, creativity, and learning. We’re not talking about reckless failures, but those moments when things don’t go according to plan, and we walk away with valuable insights.
It’s also crucial not to get stuck in one form of celebration. The pub is a classic go-to, but it’s not always the best fit for everyone. Some team members may not feel comfortable in that environment due to personal beliefs or neurodiversity, for example. It’s important to mix things up and offer alternative ways to celebrate so everyone feels included.
Wellbeing rituals: Prioritising balance
Well-being is an essential part of team culture, and some mindful rituals can really boost both morale and overall well-being. For example, Cambridge Air Solutions incorporates stretching before each morning meeting, and many teams enjoy short walks or other mindful activities as part of their routine. These activities help to reduce stress and create a healthy team environment.
It’s also important to recognise when work is taking over. A study by Glassdoor found that 72% of UK employees say annual leave is crucial for managing burnout, but 60% didn’t take their full entitlement last year. And let’s not forget the managers—they’re often the worst offenders when it comes to working long hours at the expense of their health. By prioritising balance, you show your team they’re genuinely valued. Here are a few ideas to keep everyone in a healthy rhythm:
Reclaim the Commute: Encourage remote workers to use their “commute” time for a walk or mindful activity.
Monthly Switch-Offs: Try activities like craft days or sports to help team members bond outside of work.
Volunteering Days: Schedule team volunteer days, like those at Octopus, which employees truly appreciate.
Meeting-Free Fridays: Give everyone a bit of breathing room, but make sure to consider the needs of part-time staff when planning.
Creating a culture through rituals
Building a team culture through rituals isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating shared experiences that foster trust, collaboration, and well-being. When thoughtfully designed to be inclusive and meaningful, rituals can strengthen your team and make everyone feel valued.
By embedding rituals supporting creativity, balance, and connection, you ensure your team remains productive, engaged, and happy. And that’s when the real magic of transformation happens—one ritual at a time.
Need some inspiration? Here are a few of my favourite rituals:
CEO for the Day: This one gives an employee the chance to improve the workplace by coming up with one new idea. Ville Houttu, CEO of Vincit, says: “They really think about what benefits us all as a group. We also have fun Friday dinners, company-paid movie tickets, and an Audible subscription.” The Adam Grant Podcast
New Joiner Packs: Think plants, chocolates, or relaxation packages that make new hires feel valued from day one. This beats presenting them with the usual company handbook, hands down!
Paid to Quit: Zappos offered $1,000 for employees to quit after their first week, and when Amazon bought them out, they bumped that to $5,000 for long-term employees.
Friday 15-Minute Social Chat: Wrap up each week with a quick, casual social chat between office and remote workers.
Social Bingo: Get HR to assign you someone new to chat with for a Zoom catch-up. It’s a fun way to network and break up the routine.
Failure Rewards: Google actively rewards people for their failures. When Google Wave flopped, they celebrated the team’s calculated risk. NixonMcInnes also have a Church of Fail where they hold a monthly ceremony to confess and celebrate their failures.
Singing if You’re Late: This quirky ritual makes latecomers sing a song as a fun penalty.
Phone Box: A charity donation box for anyone who makes untimely phone calls during meetings.
These rituals can help bring some fun and positivity to your workplace culture—so, why not try them out?
