A practical activity leaders can use to intentionally shape how teams work together
This article was adapted from an activity I originally shared in Forbes on February 2, 2022. Since then, I’ve continued using and refining this approach with teams across industries who want to be more intentional about how they work together.
Whether teams are working in person, hybrid, or fully remote, one thing remains true: culture is built and maintained through the conversations and interactions people have every day.
Like a path that forms in grass from constant use, culture strengthens when we intentionally walk it; and it fades when we don’t. The best leaders understand this and create simple rituals and moments of connection that help people feel supported, appreciated, and able to do their best work together.
And yet, most teams spend a lot of time planning what they will produce and very little time planning how they will work together to produce it.
This activity is designed to change that.
A Simple Way to Intentionally Design Your Team Culture
As teams face ongoing change, shifting priorities, and increasing pressure, it’s more important than ever to step back and talk about how you want to work together and not just what needs to get done.
The cultural brainstorming activity below helps teams:
- Align on what matters most
- Strengthen relationships
- Create shared ownership for the culture they’re building
It works equally well for leadership teams, intact teams, and cross-functional groups.
Scheduling & Preparation
Block 90 minutes to two hours for this conversation.
You can call the session:
- Cultural Brainstorm
- Working Together
- Designing How We Work
What matters most is setting the right context so people come prepared.
You might include a note like this in the meeting invite:
As we enter a new chapter, I want us to intentionally plan how we build and maintain a team culture that supports us at our best. I came across this activity and thought it would be valuable for us to step back and design how we want to work together. I know everyone is busy, but I’d love for you to reflect on the questions below before we meet. I’m looking forward to designing the year together.
Questions to Reflect On Before the Meeting
Send these questions to your team ahead of time. (And if people don’t reflect beforehand, that’s okay — you’ll build in time during the session.)
Personal Reflection
- How do you want to grow professionally in the year ahead?
- How do you want to grow personally?
- How can the team support you in accomplishing your goals?
Team Reflection
For each area below, think about:
- What did we do in the past that worked well and should continue?
- What new ideas would you like to try?
Learn & Grow
Workshops, conferences, articles, book clubs, skill-sharing
Laugh & Play
Light moments in meetings, team traditions, shared fun
Rest & Rejuvenate
Boundaries, meeting norms, recovery time, sustainable pace
Celebrate & Appreciate
Shout-outs, milestones, small wins, acknowledgments
Connect & Reflect
Check-ins, debriefs, one-on-ones, shared questions
Setting Up the Session
Before the meeting, take 10 minutes to create a simple brainstorming space.
- In person: flip charts, whiteboards, Post-it notes
- Virtual: shared documents, Mural, Miro, or your team’s preferred tool
The goal is to make sharing ideas easy and visible.
How to Facilitate the Conversation
Welcome & Context
Revisit the intention:
We’re here to brainstorm and plan how we build and maintain a team culture that supports us at our best.
Remind people this is a brainstorming session and not a debate.
Instead of “We can’t do that,” invite “How could we?”
Round 1: Personal Brainstorm (5 minutes)
Give people quiet time to reflect on the personal questions.
Round 2: Personal & Professional Sharing (15–20 minutes)
Invite each person to share:
- One professional goal
- One personal goal
- One way the team could support them
Let people share as much or as little as they choose.
Leader tip: revisit these goals in one-on-ones throughout the year.
Round 3: Team Culture Brainstorm (5 minutes)
Have people independently generate ideas across the culture categories.
Round 4: Sharing & Capturing Ideas (20 minutes)
Go category by category and capture ideas in a shared document.
Round 5: Sorting & Planning (10 minutes)
Group ideas into:
- General practices
- Meeting ideas
- Team rituals
- Special occasions
- Other
Identify which ideas people are most excited about and assign ownership.
Reflection & Gratitude (10 minutes)
Close by asking:
- How did this feel?
- What stood out?
Thank people for their openness and willingness to design the culture together.
Why This Matters
If teams want to thrive, it’s not enough to just talk about the work.
We need to actively plan how we work together, how we support one another, and how we build the relationships that make great work possible.
When people help design the culture, they’re far more likely to sustain it.
Additional Resources
- Culture Brainstorm Activity Worksheet (download here)
- Oldie but goodie: Designing Team Culture – YouTube
- 75 Team Building Activities for Remote Teams
If you’d like more insights like this, scroll down and subscribe to The Nudge, where I share short, practical ideas to help leaders build cultures where people feel valued.
Want Support Bringing This to Life?
If you want help facilitating these conversations, strengthening relationships, or creating experiences where people don’t just listen to a speaker — but listen to one another — I’d love to support you.
You can learn more about my programs or reach out directly at BeyondThankYou.com.
Together, let’s build cultures people actually want to be part of.
