Ideas to Find Out Your Team’s Favorite Things

Feeling connected to your team is one indicator you are happy and more likely to be engaged and retained. The good news is that is EASY to figure out what makes your team happy and then use this new information to build connections and inject some fun into your team environment.

One way to connect with each team member is to learn what they like.

We certainly need to understand their communication styles, preferred ways of working, and strengths, but today I’m sharing the team’s favorite things – team activity on the lighter side of things.  

Instructions:

1. Create a list of questions you want to know about your team member.
2. Decide how to collect them. The easiest way to do this, and one that allows all team members to see this is to create a shared document.
3. Complete the questions yourself as an example to get things rolling.
4. Ask your team to answer questions by a specific deadline.
5. Use this information consistently.  

Questions for the List of Favorite Things:

1. What is your favorite candy?
2. What is your favorite lunch spot?
3. What is your favorite song, musical artist, or genre?
4. What is your favorite hot drink? Cold drink?
5. What is your t-shirt size?
6. What is your favorite color?
7. What is your favorite sports team?
8. What is your favorite activity to do on the weekends?
9. What is your favorite snack?
10. What is your favorite way to be appreciated?

Here are several ideas of how to use this information:

• Give them a gift card for their favorite store/restaurant on birthdays or special occasions.
• At a staff meeting, play their favorite music.
• During a difficult week, put their favorite candy on their desk.
• Mail them a care package with their favorite things.
• Create a shared playlist with the team’s favorite songs.
• Send t-shirts with your team logo.
• Order lunch from their favorite lunch spot.
• Provide their favorite snacks at your all-day meeting.

Summary

You are more likely to engage and retain your team if they feel connected to you and each other. By gaining an understanding of what each team member enjoys, you can be intentional about showing your interest in them by providing them with what they like.

About the Author: Leigh Ann Rodgers, Founder of Better Teams, Team Consultant Academy, and FORWARD, is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator with 20 years of experience in the human development field. Leigh Ann is a skilled meeting facilitator, trainer, and coach working across the globe to help leaders cultivate teams that are happy and high-performing.

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