5 Simple Ways To Build A More Connected Team

This Was One of the Major Causes of Team Disengagement in 2025: Lack of Connection.

If there was one theme that kept coming up in 2025, it was this:

Teams were not disengaged because they didn’t care.
They were disengaged because they didn’t feel connected.

Gallup highlighted this in a powerful way. Only 31% of employees strongly agree that someone at work encourages their development. That means most people are showing up without anyone truly in their corner.

No wonder team culture felt heavy this year.

The good news is that this can be fixed. And it can be fixed starting right now.

The Heart of the R: Relationships

When most people hear the word “relationships” at work, they think of being friendly or getting along. In SPARK, it goes deeper than that.

It is about:

• Trust
• Psychological safety
• Feeling valued
• Being able to show up as yourself
• Knowing your team has your back when things get tough

When these pieces are in place, a group of coworkers becomes a team. And that team becomes a community that can handle challenges, changes and pressure with a lot more confidence.

And here is something leaders often forget.
You do not need a huge initiative to build this kind of connection.

You can start this week.

Heres’ 5 Simple Ways To Build A More Connected Team

1. Be Real

People connect with humans, not perfectly polished leaders. When you share honestly, you make it safer for others to do the same.

Action:
Begin one meeting this week by sharing something small and genuine. A tiny win. A minor frustration. A moment that made you pause. It does not need to be deep. It just needs to be real.

2. Listen Like You Mean It

Most people listen to respond. Real connection comes from listening to understand.

Action:
During your next one on one, ask an open question and wait for three full seconds before you reply. Let the silence work for you. Take notes. Stay curious instead of trying to fix anything.

3. Celebrate the Wins

Small wins matter. They create momentum, energy and confidence across the team.

Action:
Once a week, highlight progress. Invite someone to share a win, even if it feels tiny. Rotate the person each week so everyone gets their moment.

4. Make Vulnerability Normal

Teams trust leaders who show they are learning too. When mistakes are treated as part of the process, everyone relaxes and performs better.

Action:
At the end of the week, share one thing that did not go as planned and what it taught you. Use the calm, curious tone you want your team to model.

5. Create Small Rituals of Connection

Strong relationships are built through consistent, simple touchpoints.

Action:
Begin your next meeting with a quick, playful check in. Try a prompt like “What is a small joy you noticed today?” or “Share two random things you are excited about.” Keep it short and light. Five minutes is enough to shift the entire mood in the room.

Relationships and the S.P.A.R.K. Framework

Relationships are just one piece of the S.P.A.R.K. Framework, a system I developed to help teams and individuals harness Play Intelligence for lasting transformation.

Here’s a quick overview of the framework:

Want to Start Creating More Trust-Based, Connected Teams?

Check out this FREE ebook on how to harness the Power of Purposeful Play to create a more vibrant and connected workplace culture!