January 17, 2024
Harvard Business Review recently published an article co-authored by Constance Noonan Hadley, Research Associate Professor of Management and Organizations, discussing how team rituals can make a big difference in times of change or transition.
Work rituals like team check-ins and retrospectives can boost engagement, commitment, and satisfaction. A three-year study found that teams with regular rituals saw higher commitment, better psychological safety, and greater job satisfaction. To successfully design and implement rituals, teams should focus on five key measures: leaders must demonstrate unwavering belief in and commitment to the rituals, infuse them with meaningful purpose, ensure consistent participation, maintain faith while adapting practices as necessary, and advocate for the value of these rituals across other teams.
“When done right, team rituals provide certainty, connection, and space for employees to engage with each other and connect to the purpose of their work,” Hadley adds.
Rituals must be adapted over time, be inclusive, and regularly reviewed to remain relevant.