Does your team work remotely sometimes? Or do you have staff members spread across locations? Building connection may feel challenging, but it’s often simpler than you might think. You don’t need to plan offsites or overhaul your tools. All you really need are small, intentional moments.
In a post for the Atlassian blog, Tori Kaulins says when you’re consistent with how you collaborate and bring your people together, you can help your team feel less scattered and more connected. She recommends trying a series of 5 micro challenges over the course of the workweek, giving each day a distinct focus. We explain her ideas in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Day 1: Do a 5-minute async standup. Kaulins recommends replacing a meeting with a quick written update that you share in your team’s usual Slack channel or project board. Each team member should share what they completed yesterday, what they’re working on today and any challenges they’re facing. It works, she says, because it creates visibility without taking up time on people’s calendars.
Day 2: Change a ritual. When was the last time you reviewed your team’s rituals? Maybe there’s a weekly standup or status report that feels low value or too long. As a team, Kaulins suggests answering what it’s really for (clarity, decisions, alignment or connection) and what will change to make the ritual work better. She says small changes to familiar rituals can create major momentum. By reshaping a habit, you can reduce friction and build confidence.
Day 3: Share a recent “team changer” moment. According to Kaulins, sharing recent wins helps teams recognize what’s working right now and build momentum for continuous improvement. She recommends thinking of a recent moment when a team member made collaboration easier, shared knowledge or tried a new way of working. Then explain how that change made your work smoother or more enjoyable. Kaulins says that by celebrating small changes, you can inspire your team to keep experimenting and collaborating.
Day 4: Give feedback that lands. A simple format works best. For example, you could say, “When you [action], it helps/hurts [impact]. Could we try [next step]?” or “I see that [action] leads to [impact]. Could we explore [next step] as an option?” She advises sharing privately for sensitive topics and publicly for practices the whole team should adopt.
Day 5: Show us your world. This micro challenge helps build connection because it helps people get to know each other. It can be as simple as sharing a photo of something that made your smile and telling the team a little something about it.
Consistent, everyday behaviors like quick standups and recognition of small wins go a long way at strengthening teams. None of the ideas above require major shifts, but they help people stay in sync and connected.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Tori Kaulins is on the brand marketing team at Atlassian.
