2 JAMusical Games to Groove Your Way to Stronger Bonds and Tighter Team Dynamics
When it comes to team dynamics, some might say music is a real harmony-maker… Ba Dum Tss!
Seriously though, music hits all the right notes when it comes to strengthening our social connections with those around us. According to Greater Good Magazine, it’s directly linked to empathy, trust and cooperation. Sharing music we enjoy helps us to connect… Kinda like speaking a language but instead of words and ideas, it turns up the volume on emotions and intent, creating a sense of community and loyalty among listeners.
Plus there’s the added benefit for our mental health. There are countless studies how music can reduce anxiety and stress, help us be more creative, and keep us young. That’s just good for your employees, inside and out.
To help you get some rockin’ team dynamics, here are 2 simple ways to connect with your people through music… No band required!
1. Album Love
Every Monday, a team member takes the stage and shares their favorite album and a few reasons why it’s special to them. (And by stage we mean designated Slack or Teams channel.) The rest of the team takes the week to listen to the album and explore its tracks.
The following Monday, the team submits their guesses as they try to decipher the person’s favourite track from the album, as well as identifying their own personal favorite song from the collection.
At noon, the favorite track is revealed, and those who guessed right win bragging rights for the week.
With the big reveal done, the baton is passed to the next team member, who shares their fav album.
To keep the process smooth and flowing, consider a simple system for selecting the next participant like alphabetical order, birthdays, or oldest to youngest—whatever makes the most sense for your team dynamics.
2. Funday Playlist
Capture the contagious energy of Fridays by introducing the Funday Playlist tradition.
Before noon, each team member shares one track they’ve been jammin’ to that week in the designated Slack or Teams channel.
As the submissions roll in, a team member puts the shared tracks into a playlist, which is then shared with the entire group.
This activity is an awesome opportunity for a shared musical experience that brings the team closer together. You get to geek out over the music you love, discover new artists and genres, and learn about some of the cultural influences that shape fellow team members.
Bonus! You have a fresh playlist to unwind and jam to over the weekend.
Final Thoughts
Why settle for the same old routine when you can jazz up your team’s days with musical bonding? Connecting over music is an easy and fun way to add soul to your workplace culture. Plus it breaks up the monotony of the work week and helps to ensure stellar team dynamics are in place.
By kicking off Monday with a little music motivation and wrapping up on a high note (literally!), you make team-bonding and creative a priority at your company. Not only are you turning up the volume on music’s universal power to unify and connect, you and your team enjoy the positive impacts music has on our mental health and wellbeing.