Ah, the hybrid workplace—a realm where the coffee is virtual, the pants are optional, and team cohesion is as elusive as the mute button on a Zoom call. One of the questions I keep getting time and time again at the conclusion of my speeches that emphasize the importance of team cohesion is:

“How do we foster that magical team chemistry when half the team is in the office and the other half is dialing in from their living rooms?”

Here are a few nuggets that I have gathered from award winning organizations and leaders for building a cohesive, high-performing hybrid team.

Fun Matters.

Hybrid teams need to be intentional about creating a sense of belonging. One team, for example, has a running game that keeps everyone engaged, no matter where they’re working from. Each member submits four obscure facts about themselves to their leader. Every Monday, the leader reveals one fact—perhaps something like, "In high school, this colleague was the bowling champion of the Mississippi Valley." On Tuesday, another hint: "This colleague comes from a family of five brothers and sisters." By Wednesday, when the team learns, "This colleague loves to yodel and has competed in the National Yodeling Championship," the guessing game is in full swing. The camaraderie that builds through this simple activity is priceless. You don’t need to set aside a full hour or plan a separate ‘e-vent.’

The Virtual Watercooler

Platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams centralize communication by integrating messaging, video calls and file sharing, but they're not just for work. They can also replicate spontaneous watercooler banter. One organization shared how they use Slack towards this goal. Try creating channels dedicated to non-work topics like ‘Pets,’ ‘Weekend Trips,’ or ‘Funny Memes.’ The conversations flow organically. Interest groups spontaneously bloom from these informal chat groups. Genuine friendships are created when team members get together outside of work because of shared interests in camping, canoeing, concerts or whatever it might be that links them together. 

In an office, spontaneous hallway conversations naturally build rapport. In a hybrid setting, leaders need to create those moments intentionally. Encouraging mentors to host ‘virtual coffee chats,’ or setting up a "Random Lunch Roulette" where employees get paired for an in-person lunch partner from their own team or from a complementary one on days in the office can increase the likelihood members will reach out to each other when they need a hand or have a question. Even a standard team lunch potluck can bring folks away from their workstations long enough to bring up problems they’re encountering or ideas they’ve been germinating with each other. If you’re a manager, plan to attend on these days and supply the drinks and tableware.

Recognize and Celebrate Achievements

Acknowledging accomplishments boosts morale and reinforces a sense of unity. Highlight individual or team successes in meetings or through internal communications. Reserve the first five minutes of meetings for celebrations and kudos. Encourage everyone to participate. Have an icebreaker question ready for the odd day when there’s silence. My favorites include: "What's your favorite ice cream?" or "What was your favorite TV show as a kid?" (For the record, mine was ‘The Six Million Dollar Man.’)

Promote Social Interactions

Human connections are vital for team chemistry. Even in a hybrid environment, social interactions shouldn't be neglected. When you ask folks to cut into what now feels like their personal or productive time to polish themselves and commute, you should demonstrate the purpose of this ask. First, be an example. Be the first one there and last to leave. Bring the donuts. Second, meet with folks in-person when you’ve asked them to come in. Schedule a morning and an afternoon coffee with a mentee or colleague. Plan a team brainstorming, planning or solution-finding time in a conducive space, and ask your team to come ready for this. Lastly, pop-in for a non-work check-in on at least one person. “How have you been?” “How’s the family?” Bitterness rather than connectedness will develop from requiring days in the office without intention where everyone does the same work in a cubicle they could have done from home.

Building team chemistry in a hybrid world isn’t about forcing happy hours or endless Zoom calls. It’s about intentionally designing interactions that foster trust, purpose and connection. With the right mix of structured and spontaneous engagement, your team can thrive—whether they’re in the office, at home or yodeling in the mountains.

So go ahead, create those moments, celebrate those quirks, and build a team culture that sticks, no matter the distance!