Stronger Together: Building Connection Across Teams
At C1C, we believe that strong culture is built through intentional connection – not just during meetings, but in the small, shared moments that happen throughout the year. As our team continues to embrace hybrid and remote work models, we’ve remained committed to carving out space for in-person interaction that builds trust, encourages collaboration, and keeps our team grounded in our values.
Connection isn’t accidental – C1C builds it through coffee chats, working sessions, and team building.
From bi-annual coffee chats and in-person brainstorming sessions to every-other-month outings with our team, we’ve designed a rhythm of connection that reflects both who we are and how we work. In this post, we’re sharing the kinds of activities that have helped strengthen our culture – and how you can apply similar practices to support your own team.
Weekly Team Meetings. At the start of every week, our team gathers virtually for a one-hour meeting to reconnect, align, and energize. These meetings are more than just status updates – they include a brief team-building activity, such as each team member answering what their favorite zoo animal is, project updates, and a review of our organization’s key metrics. This rhythm helps us stay connected as a collective, even when we’re not in the same physical space. Whether we’re celebrating a small win or working through a challenge, we’re doing it together, live on Microsoft Teams. Tip: Start your weekly team meeting with a one-minute icebreaker question. It can be silly or meaningful – even one minute can build trust over time.
One-on-One Check ins. Immediately following our team meetings, each team member meets individually with leadership for a short, focused check-in. These 15-minute conversations are intentionally flexible: sometimes we talk about project priorities, and other times we catch up on what’s happening outside of work. These quick touchpoints offer an open channel for support, coaching, and connection – reminding us that our work and well-being are both valued. Tip: Start your check-in with a simple “How are you?” It sets the tone for openness and helps surface what is important in the moment.
Coffee Chats. Twice a year, we step away from our desks and each team member meets in-person with leadership for dedicated 90-minute coffee chats. These conversations are designed to go deeper, covering reflections of past performance, current engagement, and future goals. We intentionally hold these meetings in a relaxed setting like a local coffee shop to create a more human, comfortable space for honest dialogue. These chats help foster transparency, alignment, and development in ways that virtual meetings can’t always replicate. Tip: Even if you can’t meet in person, create a “virtual coffee chat” format – encourage cameras on, no screens shared, and a personal check-in to kick things off.
Team Social Events. Connection doesn’t only happen in meetings; it also grows through shared experiences. Every other month, our team gathers in person for a social event that’s designed for fun and community-building. Some events are planned by leadership, such as our annual celebration or our family-friendly summer gathering, while others are led by team members who choose activities that we’ll all enjoy. Whether it’s bowling, volunteering, or browsing a museum together, these bi-monthly events help us build memories, deepen trust, and live out our values of collaboration and care. Tip: Rotate event planning among team members to ensure activities reflect diverse interests.
Working Sessions. While we’re a hybrid team, we recognize that some moments call for more than a virtual meeting. When we’re tackling a complex challenge, co-designing a new service, or aligning on long-term strategy, we make the intentional choice to meet in person. These sessions give us the chance to brainstorm freely, move sticky notes around a real wall, and engage in real-time problem-solving without the digital lag. The energy and clarity that emerge from being together in the same space are invaluable and we walk away not only with better outcomes, but with stronger alignment and renewed motivation. Tip: Kick off a working session with a “success snapshot” by asking the team to imagine what success looks like at the end of the day to align focus and energy.
At C1C, we stay connected by being intentional about when and how we come together – both virtually and in person. From weekly check-ins to bi-monthly social events, we’ve found that a mix of structure and flexibility helps keep our team aligned and engaged. Not every team needs every activity. We’ve found value in experimenting with what works best for us, and we encourage others to do the same. If you’re looking for ideas to strengthen connection across your own team, either virtually or in-person, feel free to reach out!
