Why Team Spirit is the Secret Sauce in Workplace Wellbeing
Let's face it – workplace wellbeing isn't just another corporate buzzword. It's actually super important, especially these days when we're all juggling a million things at once!
The Problem with Going Solo
Here's the thing: lots of workplaces are jumping on the AI-powered wellbeing bandwagon. You know the type – apps that send you prompts like "Hey, time to meditate!" or "Don't forget to stretch!" Sure, these can be great... if you're already a wellness warrior. But what about the rest of us mere mortals who struggle to keep our New Year's resolutions past January 15th? 😅
There's this saying in the wellbeing world that these programs “engage the already engaged". Translation? They're preaching to the choir! The people who really need the help often end up scrolling past those notifications faster than you can say “mindfulness".
Why Teams Make Everything Better
In contrast to relying on individual efforts, a strong team component in a wellbeing program gives employees a better opportunity to promote more diverse values that are already influencing their daily decision-making.
For example, values like teamwork, recognition, fun and competition.
Give employees the ability to promote these values in the act of engaging in healthier habits, and you’re onto a winner! Here's why team-based programs are like adding sprinkles to your wellbeing sundae:
Teamwork: Team-based programs foster a sense of collectivism, camaraderie, and shared purpose. Achieving goals together can be more rewarding than achieving them alone and can enhance team cohesion.
Recognition: Team-based programs create an opportunity for participants to encourage and support others who might struggle to stay committed on their own. This gives individuals the ability to achieve a sense of recognition through the act of supporting others.
Fun: Team-based programs are often more enjoyable. Participating with others can make wellbeing initiatives feel less of a chore and more like fun.
Competition: When employees see their peers making positive changes, it can bring out the competitive spirit in some. Especially when leaderboards are incorporated into the program!
Real Talk: It Actually Works!
Want proof? Check out what happened when Foodstuffs tried this approach with their “Fit Foodies Team Challenge – from Pallet to Plate" (cool name, right?). They got their teams moving more and learning about their supply chain at the same time.
The results? They knocked it out of the park:
91% of people felt more pumped about healthy habits
95% felt more connected to their workplace squad
A whopping 99% would tell others to jump on board
The Bottom Line
Here's the deal: if you want your workplace wellbeing program to actually work (and not just collect digital dust), make it a team sport! It's like the difference between doing a solo workout and joining a fun group class – both might get you fit, but one's definitely more likely to keep you coming back for more.
So, next time your workplace is thinking about wellbeing programs, remember: the secret ingredient isn't just what you do – it's who you do it with! Working together makes getting healthier feel less like a chore and more like a fun challenge you tackle with your work family.
And who doesn't want that? 💪