10 ways to engage your team

Now I’m not usually one for popcorn after many years working part-time at a cinema during University, but when an industrial quantity arrived in the office the other day, I took note. What followed was a great example of team engagement.

Monotony can sap creativity and enthusiasm. We all have projects and deadlines that set the rhythm of our weeks and yes, they matter. But nothing lights up a team like an unexpected break in the routine.

So that’s what happened in our office the other day. Popcorn arrived, a documentary went up on the big screen, and before long the room was full of positive, spontaneous conversations. It wasn’t just a nice treat, it showed appreciation for the major project we’d just finished and gave everyone a lift.

That got me thinking about other practical ways to engage employees at work.

Here are 10 that are tried and tested:

1. Break the routine

Surprise the team with something simple but different. It could be popcorn, a walk-and-talk meeting, or just finishing a little early one afternoon. The unexpected can help motivate employees and spark creativity.

2. Encourage learning

A colleague of mine is happily working away on their “lunch and learn” right now. So provide those opportunities for people to stretch themselves. It doesn’t always need to be a course, sometimes it’s just letting them try something new. Growth opportunities are a proven driver of employee engagement.

3. Celebrate team wins

Don’t just wait for end-of-year awards. Spot the everyday achievements and call them out in the moment. Recognition is one of the quickest ways to boost employee motivation and strengthen team culture.

4. Keep meetings useful

Trim the ones that don’t add value and thank me later. This shows respect for your team’s time and improves workplace communication.

5. Give people a voice

Coming from someone who works at Teamgage, you won’t be surprised to learn that I advocate for making it easy for teams to share ideas and concerns, then empowering them to take action. Nothing disengages faster than ignored employee feedback and a lack of opportunity to have a say.

6. Show trust

Give people the responsibility and freedom to deliver. Micromanagement kills motivation, while trust builds stronger, more engaged teams.

7. Support flexibility

Life happens outside of work. It's why one of my team is coming in late this morning so he can attend a child's school performance. But this little give-and-take goes a long way to building real commitment. Workplace flexibility is one of the most valued engagement factors today.

8. Focus on purpose

Remind the team why their work matters. Connecting tasks and even your survey questions to the bigger picture brings this all to life. Use the phrase “Lived NOT laminated” when talking about your purpose, and you’ll keep it real rather than just words on a wall.

9. Invest in connection

Help the team get to know each other as people, not just co-workers. Shared lunches, run clubs aka the VERY slow run club, an informal “Water Cooler” Teams or Slack channel, or even quick check-ins make a difference. We actually track the number of our social events within my team each week it’s that valuable to us. Strong team culture comes from these connections.

10. Lead by example

Your own energy, attitude, and openness will set the tone. Engaging employees starts with leaders who model the behaviours they want to see.

‍

So yes, engaging a team doesn’t always require a big budget or a complex program. Often it’s about small, thoughtful actions that break up the monotony, show appreciation, and make people feel included.

If you’re wondering how to engage your team, start with one or two of these ideas and see the difference they make!

Let me know how you get on and if you’ve got top tips of your own to share, I’d love to hear them.