How managers can drive transformation beyond team building events

If you're a manager and your idea of team building is still limited to one offsite retreat every year with nyama choma and team games, it may be time for a mindset shift.

Real team building isn’t a single annual event — it’s a daily practice. The best teams don’t bond over one day of sack races and trust falls. They connect through consistent, intentional experiences that build trust, open communication, and shared purpose over time.

The traditional model of team building often feels performative. A single day of fun can’t fix poor communication, lack of trust, or burnout.

It also can’t fix the loss of rapport that comes with usual staff transitions- new joiners or exits- throughout the period. To build a team that thrives, managers need to shift from viewing team building as an annual calendar item to making it part of the team’s everyday rhythm.

Modern team building is about micro-moments that add up: a weekly check-in that goes beyond deliverables, a shared laugh during a coffee break, or a random Slack thread about memes.

In Kenya’s growing work and fun culture, there are new ways to make this happen. Structure your team building around growth-oriented bonding, creative and relaxed experiences, social and cultural breaks, weekly and monthly rituals, and fun competitions.

For instance, some teams are trying relaxed learning hours paired with free lunch or motivational Monday mornings with breakfast. Others are hanging out after work at 5pm for a drink or meal at group spots like Baobox or local rooftop lounges.

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Movie nights and comedy clubs are making a comeback — either through private screenings at places like Unseen Nairobi or informal viewings in the boardroom.

Fun card games like “Icebreakers?” or “Office Trivia” are sparking great conversations during short breaks. Even something as simple as a themed workday, like Throwback Thursday or dress-up Friday, can boost morale.

Small things build big culture. And in a time where employee engagement budgets are tightening, these small, creative rituals can be just as impactful, if not more so, than expensive off-site events.

You don’t need a massive budget to build connection. Incorporating random, low-cost activities that your team actually finds fun or meaningful, like sharing quick tips, playing a quick game after a meeting, or organising a monthly bonding session, can go a long way.

And you don’t have to wait for HR to plan them. As a manager — or even as a team member — you can initiate these moments.

Instead of waiting for the annual retreat, build culture weekly. Let your team feel seen, supported, and connected in ways that don’t require a huge budget — just thoughtfulness.

As a manager, your job isn’t just to hit targets. It’s to build a team that wants to show up — for the work, and for each other.

The writer is a senior HR consultant and founder of Jobonics HR. Email: [email protected]