This article was sourced from shrm.org

 

In today’s fragmented workplace—divided by politics, hybrid work arrangements, and generations—can the unifying power of the Olympics bring employees together?

The Paris Olympics kicks off on Friday, July 26. While not every company can celebrate by flying their employees in Team-USA-branded planes, every organization can harness the spirit of the Games. 

“Clients are always eager to tie their engagement initiatives to the cultural calendar,” said Kari Clark, founder and CEO of Breakout, a company that designs and leads team-building activities for companies including Meta, Google, and PwC. “Using current or trending events, like the Olympics, helps bring relevance and keeps things fresh.” 

Here are some ideas to consider as we head into the Summer Games: 

Host viewing parties.

Fifty-nine percent of American adults plan to watch the Olympics, so lean into that excitement and turn your office into a theater by creating common spaces where employees can watch the Olympics together. Focus on the events people are most excited to watch, which you can identify through a quick survey, or simply pick the most popular ones like swimming, gymnastics, and basketball.

Celebrate diversity.

The Paris Games are the first in history to achieve full gender parity, with equal numbers of male and female athletes. If that’s not reason enough to celebrate…

Use this opportunity to highlight and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of your employees. Organize cultural exchange events where team members can share their heritage, traditions, or the teams they’re rooting for and why (maybe they share their nationality or they traveled to that country). Have leaders take turns sharing stories of inspiring Olympians or post quotes from Olympians competing in Paris to motivate and inspire employees. 

Share personal sports stories (aka “the Olympians that weren’t.”)

Encourage team members to share the sports they play now or those they played growing up. Bonus points for sharing photos!

Hold friendly competitions.

Not every company can create a nine-hole custom golf course for employees like Comcast, but you could host a field day at a local park. Organize lawn games like cornhole, frisbee golf, and tug of war. 

“The Olympics is all about bringing people together, celebrating diversity, engaging in friendly competition, and showcasing our best selves,” Clark said. “Companies see this as a golden opportunity to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among their employees.” Her company has helped clients create activities like Online Olympics with activities such as AI mascot-making, scavenger hunts, and Olympics trivia. Pro tip from Clark: use breakout rooms if virtual to foster small group connections, which she says are the most meaningful.

Host an Olympic movie night.

If your team has watched enough Olympic events, host a movie night featuring films about the Olympics or athletes. This could be an in-person screening or a virtual watch party. Two of my favorites: “Cool Runnings” and “I, Tonya.” Enhance the experience with Olympics-themed snacks.

Co-create an Olympics playlist. 

Task your team with creating a global music playlist and use it as background music at team events. To get you started, some suggestions from genAI: Perplexity recommended “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, while ChatGPT suggested “We Will Rock You” by Queen and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

Engage in social impact and community events.

Partner with local organizations or sports clubs to host community events or support youth sports programs during the Olympic season. Encouraging employees to participate in these initiatives fosters a sense of pride and unity, while also benefiting the community in which they live and work.

Let us know what you’re planning! We’d love to hear how you’re cheering on athletes, leveraging this year’s Olympics to create a more inclusive workplace and engaged workforce, and tapping into the excitement and camaraderie that the Olympics brings.