A short time ago, my associate Cynthia transformed what could have been a mundane meeting into a captivating experience—one that fostered enduring connections within our workplace.
Cynthia oversees our branding and communications team, so she organized a session to present a narrative and script meant for promoting our organization. We entered the space anticipating a standard review of the storyboard, but she had something entirely different in mind.
The meeting room was adorned with gigantic video slides and ancillary subtitles affixed to every wall. The table was lined with printed copies of the script. In an instant, attendees found themselves engrossed in an interactive presentation—experiencing the story rather than merely reading about it in an email. Like unsuspecting performers, we became part of the story as it unfolded. By the time Cynthia sought our input, we were prepared to respond instinctively (not just analytically).
Without a doubt, Cynthia could have simplified the organization of this meeting for herself. She could have opted for a more straightforward approach, yet she recognized the greater value. She comprehends that as human beings, we cherish experiences that shape our views, memories, beliefs, and connections.
Her gathering went beyond evaluating a branding and communications initiative. It revolved around engaging participants on a profound level and fostering lasting impressions among them. Cultivating authentic, collaborative relationships with your peers—just like Cynthia did during her presentation—has emerged as a vital skill in the modern workplace, particularly in people-centric organizations.
Fostering Meaningful Moments from Everyday Interactions
How can we ignite more substantive professional connections?
The first step is to follow Cynthia’s example and create multisensory experiences whenever the opportunity arises. When our five senses are engaged, we significantly improve our chances of retaining that information over time. Indeed, research from the University of Regensburg indicates that introducing a tactile component during an event can help preserve memories for longer durations.
This doesn’t mean that every interaction with colleagues must be an elaborate, prolonged affair. Nonetheless, if we made it a point to thoughtfully arrange our communications and interactions, we would undoubtedly enhance each experience. Take, for instance, delivering unwelcome news to a colleague. If done carelessly, it’s more likely to result in adverse outcomes than if it were approached with preparation. We should think carefully about the surrounding individuals, the recipient’s demeanor, and the tone of our communication—not just the content itself.
We could also draw inspiration from our favorite filmmakers. After all, they craft scenes and experiences with intention, depending on whether their goal is to inform, amuse, or engage audiences interactively. They deliberately contemplate how they want their viewers to feel. Only after meticulous preparation do they execute their creative aspirations.
Establishing Environments for Deeper Connections with Colleagues
Significant gatherings, corporate retreats, and large meetings aren’t the only venues wherein you can cultivate lasting relationships with colleagues—you can leverage any opportunity to enhance connections.
In the consulting industry, for example, we often host informal “go-live events” for our tech-based services. The preparation for these meetings can be extensive, potentially taking months (or even years) to organize. As the go-live date approaches, tension tends to escalate for those directly involved in the project.
Even though we share the same timeline and project metrics, our individual experiences vary widely. While I could be utterly overwhelmed, a colleague in the adjacent cubicle may be remarkably composed. However, if we treat the go-live event as its own “microevent,” we can steer everyone’s emotions towards a more optimistic state.
To achieve this, we strive to cultivate an entirely different atmosphere to highlight the significance and celebratory nature of the go-live event. For instance, we might display encouraging posters in the office days before the launch or send out a company-wide email from the CEO acknowledging the occasion. On the day itself, our team could enjoy a cookie cake, a buffet, and decorative balloons.
By purposefully creating a festive and celebratory ambiance during the experience, our team can collectively revel in the fruits of our labor. We’ll certainly be more motivated to excel in the next go-live endeavor knowing that there’s a rewarding experience waiting at the conclusion, which fosters a healthier work relationship.
Transforming Any Gathering into a Lasting Experience
If you aim to make office interactions less about mere transactions and more about meaningful relationships, it’s useful to ask several questions prior to planning specific social opportunities and experience-focused team engagements. Reflecting on these questions can assist in designing transformative and positive experiences, serving as a guide for effective meetings and interactions.
1. Am I demonstrating empathy and utilizing emotional intelligence?
According to research conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, when we experience doubt and stress, our capacity for empathy diminishes. Therefore, being purposeful about planning experiences can help participants remain empathetic and relaxed, thus facilitating easier connections with colleagues.
With this knowledge, harness your emotional intelligence and contemplate how you wish your team members to feel before, during, and after an event or interaction. Do you want them to feel as energized as athletes on game day, or should they be as composed and ready as emergency responders? Ensure that every action you take aligns with the emotional responses you aim to provoke.
2. Am I giving the right individuals the appropriate attention?
Suppose the theme of your upcoming office experience is honoring specific department members as the champions of a successful project. You’ll need to clearly identify the heroes and their contributions so nobody feels overlooked.
Next, think about how to make those champions feel celebrated for their achievements. You might pin a medal on them or shine a light on their efforts. Alternatively, depending on your workplace culture and the hero’s preferences, consider using company communication platforms to spotlight each contributor.
3. Am I maximizing the physical environment effectively?
The space where an interactive experience takes place can profoundly influence its impact. You should be ready to reevaluate everything from the layout of the room to seating arrangements if you have that authority. An event doesn’t have to include all attendees in a single location, especially if some are working remotely. Always ensure the environment aligns with your objectives, rather than hinders them.
Furthermore, it’s valuable to adopt a director’s mindset and orchestrate the setting. You want the atmosphere to enhance your goals, right down to the white noise machine or Bluetooth speaker playing appropriately themed music.
4. Am I actively soliciting feedback?
Sometimes, organizing an experience can be a solo endeavor. In other instances, it’s critical to establish a feedback loop before and after your event to yield optimal results.
For instance, if you’re the chief financial officer who requires a talented team to develop a new budget forecasting system, and you are asked how you want that team to feel upon completing the project, you might respond: “Like all-stars for the day.” Ensure your goals align with your teammates’ desires; for example, they may want recognition for their contributions without being in the spotlight.
Gathering 360-degree feedback from key participants—whether before, during, or after the experience—ensures you’ll score a touchdown rather than drop the ball. Additionally, you can utilize that feedback for future event planning.
Cultivating strong relationships within the workplace requires time and effort, but the rewards are undeniable. If you shift your focus to creating unforgettable experiences instead of standard interactions, the process will become much easier. By consistently asking the right questions, you’ll find that everything aligns more organically.
