I always find spending a little time outside of the office can do wonders. In the context of bonding, it can be really powerful to see someone operate outside of the work sphere. Also it removes the pressure of "is it okay for me to say that here?" I have gained completely new understandings of co-workers (in a good way) by hanging out with them outside of the office. Often seeing people 'with their hair down' or without a 'suit and tie on' provides a lot of insight into who they are on a deeper level, why they operate the way they do, and even how to better interact with them in a professional sense.

Another catalyst for bonding is to create something for a team to accomplish together. I'm not talking about a work-related project either. Community service, for example, allows everyone to participate in a specific task (unrelated to work) and undertake that task as a team. Food drives, marathons, etc. The sense of shared accomplishment is a natural human bond.

Barry Zweibel

Executive Coaching | Leadership Development | Career Acceleration, LeadershipTraction

Posted on Jan. 19, 2011

Here's an exercise I like to call "What I Like About YOU, Parts I and II"

1. Schedule an 'extended' staff meeting so no one is rushed.

2. Pick someone of your choosing and ask the group, "What do you particularly like about [this person]? Remind people to, "Tell [him/her], not me," and keep asking "What else?" until you feel the person has heard enough. (Adding, "Just say what you feel," also helps facilitates participation.)

3. Now ask "Now what would you like to see MORE (or LESS) of from this person? Again, remind people to, "Tell [him/her], not me," and keep asking "What else?" until you feel the person has heard enough.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with each person in the room.

5. Thank everyone for sharing so openly and respectfully.