How about a virtual potluck, where each member prepares their favorite dish? And then share the recipes, or, if it goes well, they can be collected into a team cookbook. I think interculturally, this could be interesting.

If you have the resources to do so, perhaps a virtual painting class. Something like this:

https://www.canvasncup.com/virtual-paint-parties 

I struggled with this too. I think we are a lot alike, and I would rather eat a bug than do team building. 🤣 But I also recognize the value....

We too are fully remote, scattered all over the US, with a mix of cultures.

The best hit I had was to ask everyone to make a short presentation about something meaningful to you. People LOVED these. Some people shared family photos, or childhood vacation spots, we had a before and after house reno, video/photos of a recent trip, etc.

I was clear with folks I wasn't looking to make anyone uncomfortable, and I asked people to let me know if the entire concept made them want to punch me. 🤣 I was surprused how well it was received.

I spaced them out about once a week or so and people were sad when it was over.

Feathers.. thank you for the ideas!

The virtual pot luck was one of the ideas I was rolling around so I appreciate you confirming that it is a good idea. I especially like it for our November meeting.

Not sure they will embrace the painting party-- we have discussed painting/crafts in the past as one of our team members paints (as do I) but the others noted how non-artistic they are. These are mostly technical folks-- so I DO like the idea of some activities that are artistic and outside of their comfort zone.. I'll think about this more.

Not quite the same thing but kind of parallel? I am also considering a gingerbread decorating contest-- one they can do with their families/children and share in our meeting. I'd have to be pretty sure about this as I would need to send the kits out-- and pay from my pocket (pretty sure).

Thanks again!

Hi Ally.. and thank you!

I do like this idea: The best hit I had was to ask everyone to make a short presentation about something meaningful to you. but honestly, I ask a lot of the team-- especially now as we are pushing a major and important release ... and starting up a new release. I do love the idea.. especially because we are all so different but the time to assemble and then view each of the presentations is more than I can spare. (I am aware I sound like an ogre.. but it is a fixed schedule/fixed budge project and I don't have any superproducers)

What do you think if I have them each share ONE slide for the New Year Kickoff to represent what they are looking forward to in 2026 (a trip, a new house, growing children.. whatever) .. from your experience will that be too limited?

I like the one-slide-for-2026 idea, Funky. And it will be something they'll possibly remember and connect over throughout the year ("Hey, Bob, you're leaving for Ireland next week, right?").

I too like the one slide idea. It allows everyone to contribute something, and is not a hard ask in the process.

I like that too, the one slide idea.

When you described your group, I too went to a multicultural potluck idea. That would be the one that would most interest me. But I would worry just a tad about that. Sometimes people get tired of being "the guy from Iraq," IYKWIM.

Another good one is lessons. We did that a lot over COVID, with our family. Each person would have to teach the rest of us a skill or activity or even just a subject (mini). Non-work related of course.

I just discussed with two of my leads -- they love the virtual potluck idea. None of us are quite sure how it will play out but eh, if it bombs, well-- then we dont do it again.

I know exactly what you mean, Mtn but I don't plan tell them to make something from their country.. but from past meetings and conversations, I know many of the team members like to share info on thei foods, traditions and festivals. I will work on the wording but I will suggest that they make something that reflects who they are.. can be a dish from their native country, their preferred approach to eating (I have 1 vegan and 1 vegetarian) or just a family favorite. I don't really care if they microwave, cook or order out. :)

When we had potlucks with my previous team (in person .. and epic. All the other folks were jealous of our team!)-- some cooked for hours to bring a special dish but one of paid his neighbor to prepare lemon-cumin rice to bring. Another guy brought his favorite chicken wings from a nearby restaurant. It didnt matter! It is about sharing a bit of ourselves, spending time together .. communing over food. It may be weird given it will be on camera. I mean, I am not all that eager to eat on camera -- or watch others eat on camera (eek!) but I suspect the focus will be on the stories and not on the mechanics of eating. I hope!

Thank you all for sharing ideas and helping me think it through. I have at least the concept for the next two big meetings!

And feel free to share other ideas.. I try to do something (not always big) every 2 months.

I have been a team manager for more than 40 years and the truth is that the only people who like team building exercises are HR and the high level managers who can check off a box for their employee engagement / team development goal by delegating some lower level manager to organize fake-fun activities as a thank-you to their team rather than doing the work of actually building a team.

Sadly, all the evidence supporting team building activities miss the mark. Yes, engaged employees are happier and more productive. But they never really address if these team building activities actually increase employee engagement.

This is the only survey that I have ever found that actually asked the pertinent question:

You take this information and pair it with the information that you are working with IT architects and developers, who most likely fall into a Briggs introvert personality type (get exhausted by interactions with people vs energized by others) and you probably double the number who dread these types of activities and would prefer to be sitting at their desk doing their work.

I also work with an IT Team and found that they participated because they were loyal to me, not because they really wanted to be there.

With a small team I challenged my staff to come up with a holiday team building exercise that they would enjoy. For a few weeks before the party they got together without me and put together their Santa's Reindeer Selections: They each picked a few of their teammates and listed why Santa selected them to join his reindeer team, but as part of the fun they listed all the reasons why Santa rejected my submission - I can't remember all the reasons, but I do remember that I required the elves to optimize their processes, wouldn't let them load the toys onto the sleigh until we had a tested QA process built . . .

They had a great time building their presentation and then sharing it at the holiday party with my manager and her other teams. Roasting the boss is always fun, if your team trusts you enough to do it.

Other more acceptable activities have included the typical 2 truths and a lie, sharing childhood photos and guessing who it is (if you have a group that is large give them a list of 10 names to choose from - it doesn't work well when you have 150 people who it could be.) Pics of pets can also be done in a similar fashion. Asking everyone to share a story about a special gift that they received. Sharing favorite vacations with pics. (I used to ask this of anyone who went on a trip - take 10 minutes from our daily huddle to share pics and tell us about their trip.)

Last year I had to do something with a team of 130 report developers and analysists. I ran a survey asking everyone to submit their favorite holiday cookie, their favorite holiday song and their favorite holiday movie. I then created a 10 page power point that analyzed the team's responses. Top 3 favorite in each category and finding for each category (Chocolate Chip Cookies were the #1 favorite, but although Ireland represented only 30% of our population they represented 75% of the people who favored Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gingerbread was the favorite among stateside staff). . . Then I presented overall findings - Harmony Elves were people who picked one of the top 3 in each category as their favorites and Diversity Elves who shares no more than one category selection with another person. At the end we had a surprise quiz to see if they were listening where they had to match each of the directors/managers with their favorite holiday cookie, movie or song. Each manger/director had a letter associated with their name and when you solved the puzzle their letters spelled Joyful and Bright.

The team did enjoy this - they love analytics and it was something they could just watch as I presented until the very end. With their introverted, analytical personalities it was a hit.

You have to know your audience and cater to their personalities.

" I DO like the idea of some activities that are artistic and outside of their comfort zone. "

Why? As introverted analytical types the last thing they want is someone forcing them outside of their comfort zone. What is the purpose? What will be gained?

Another good question / conversation starter - What is your superpower?

@Jennifer Hogan beat me to it: I was going to suggest the tried-and-true Two Truths and a Lie or the baby pictures.

I havent done baby pictures .. 2 Truths and a Lie didnt go over well with this team or my last team.

I had a team meeting today (no activities-- but a question of the day) At the end of the meeting, I tossed out the idea of a virtual thanksgiving potluck and let them choose to go with it or vote to send me back to come up with a better idea. The response was a resounding and unanimous YES! Let's do it!

I was even surprised to learn that my DBA LOVES to cook and try new recipes/cuisines. Another guy said that he cooks for stress relief. I think I tapped into something they will want to repeat... whew!

We will do the slide show activity in January .. along with our New Year's secret gift exchange.

In early spring, if all goes well with the virtual potluck, I'll circle back to it .. maybe with a theme. Desserts? Dishes using what is in season? I'll let them vote for a theme.

Thanks again for your input and ideas!

Well, people gotta eat 🤷🏼‍♀️

Glad they were receptive, Funky Funky, and you seem to be a thoughtful and sensitive leader.

Funky, I think you are doing better than you give yourself credit for -- you are thinking about your team and trying to make it about them rather than making it about role playing, extra reports or meetings and the like. I'm sure your group appreciates that.