The snacks were great, the chats even better. But more than anything, our recent team day reminded us of something simple yet powerful: no matter how digital our working world becomes, human connection still sits at the heart of great communication.
It’s easy to underestimate how much being physically together, even just for a day, can spark ideas, strengthen relationships and energise the way we work. In a world where remote and hybrid models are the norm, making space for in-person connection has never been more important.
Comms is all about helping people feel part of something bigger – even when they’re not in the same building, or even the same time zone. But here’s the catch: the people responsible for building that connection often don’t prioritise it for themselves.
Here’s what our team day taught us – and why it reinforced just how essential these moments are for anyone working in comms.
Making space for clarity
We spent time unpacking our ways of working and how we actually use our communication tools – Slack, Teams, email, video calls – and where our preferences and habits differ. Should Slack be for quick updates? Is Teams best for meetings? What deserves an email?
These are questions comms teams often answer for others but rarely revisit for themselves.
A team day offers the space to pause and reset expectations. To clarify what’s working, what’s not, and to agree on how you want to collaborate. The result is fewer assumptions and clearer communication.
A human-first approach
One of the most valuable parts of the day wasn’t the workshops – it was the moments in between. Laughing over lunch, catching up on life, reconnecting outside of project work.
As one team member said:
“Great to come together as a team and chat things non-project related!”
And another:
“Being ‘productive’ as creatives isn’t just about the client work. Sharing knowledge, engaging with each other’s work and just being human together is so vital.”
When we make time for these moments, we create the kind of connection we spend our days encouraging across the wider organisation. We live our values, not just communicate them.
A chance to reflect and refocus
The feedback from the day said it all:
“It was great to have dedicated time to focus on ourselves as a team.”
“Even though we’re spread out, we can still come together to explore ideas and feel connected.”
Comms teams are often in constant response mode – delivering campaigns, handling change, supporting leadership. Stepping back gives us space to think more intentionally about how we work, not just what we deliver.
Turning ideas into action
The day wasn’t just a feel-good exercise. We left with clear actions to improve how we work together:
- Establish project teams for clearer ownership and collaboration
- Open office days to encourage in-person time
- Slack status emojis to signal availability and protect focus
We also agreed to align how we use each channel across tasks and projects – not just based on personal preference, but with team clarity in mind. Even loose guidelines can reduce friction and make collaboration more natural.
Why it matters
Remote and hybrid working aren’t going anywhere. And while we’re all still adapting, days like these help us recalibrate.
They remind us that collaboration isn’t just about productivity – it’s about trust, understanding, and confidence. It’s about choosing to be intentional in how we show up for each other.
As one colleague put it:
“Collaboration isn’t just about improving our performance. It’s about how we communicate, how we build confidence in our team, and how we bring out the best in each other.”
Whether you’re a part of a comms team, a creative agency or any team navigating hybrid work, our advice is simple: make time to come together.
The impact doesn’t end with the day itself. It lives on in how you work, communicate and connect.
Need help planning or workshopping your own team day? Give us a shout – we’d love to help you make it matter.