Here’s a list of thoughtful, low-effort practices that can help strengthen your team’s resilience and morale for your ongoing vision journey.
Fostering Well-Being
1. Kick Off Wellness Wednesdays. Dedicate up to one hour on a Wednesday to wellness activities like yoga, meditation, or a monthly group walk. These moments of relaxation can help staff recharge and bond with each other in meaningful ways, providing a valuable break from daily stressors.
Start in 5 Minutes: Block time for this month for team wellness. Send a quick email or calendar invite with options (yoga, meditation, or a group walk) to gauge interest. Google: Office Yoga or Mediation Youtube and pick together. See this post for more ideas.
2. Make Self-Care Challenges. Introduce weekly self-care challenges to encourage simple actions like taking a short walk, eating a healthy meal, or practicing mindfulness. Invite team members to share their weekly goals, emphasizing that even small steps make a difference.
Start in 3 Minutes: Send a quick message on Friday afternoon or Monday morning introducing a self-care challenge for the week. Simple ideas like taking a 5-minute walk, drinking more water, or disconnecting for lunch can encourage well-being. For inspiration, check out Sarah Steckler ‘s super ideas.
Building Team Connection
3. Begin a Gratitude Jar. Create a physical “Gratitude Jar” for team members to leave notes of appreciation anonymously. Seed it with a few entries. Enlist your managers to do the same. Read new notes aloud at staff meetings to highlight contributions and boost morale through acknowledgment.
Start in 5 Minutes: Grab a jar or box and make a label. Attach a pad and pen. Drop in a couple of your own to seed the idea and encourage others to contribute. Share at your next staff gathering.
4. Set Up Peer Check-Ins. Pair team members as accountability partners to check each other’s well-being and recovery progress. This habit can create a support network, especially for those who hesitate to contact leadership directly. Setting up an ongoing check-in tree can further organize these connections.
Start in 5 Minutes: At your next staff meeting, count the attendees and divide by two. Have each person count off up to that number, then repeat starting from one. Pair everyone with the same number (1s with 1s, 2s with 2s, etc.). Explain that these partners will check in weekly, especially during challenging times, to share how things are going and offer support.
Encouraging Reflection and Growth
5. Hold Monthly Team Debrief. Host a monthly debrief focused on discussing recovery challenges. Create a safe space for open sharing by asking questions like, “What did we learn that we don’t want to forget?” Reflection fosters empathy, learning, and mutual support.
Start in 10 Minutes: Add a debrief item to your next staff meeting agenda. Jot down a few prompts for reflection, like “What went well this month?” “What did we learn that we don’t want to forget?” or What new strengths emerged this month?”
6. Shout Out Small Wins. Dedicate 3–5 minutes in each staff meeting to celebrate small wins, whether personal or professional. Highlighting small steps reinforces a sense of progress and resilience, which are invaluable during your nonprofit’s mission journey.
Start in 2 Minutes: At your next meeting, spend the first 3 minutes recognizing small wins—whether work-related or personal achievements. Ask each person to share something positive, creating a moment of shared recognition and morale-boosting.
Giving Back Together
7. Try Flash Volunteering. Organize “Flash Volunteering” events where the entire team can participate in a short, high-impact project together. Acting together deepens the team’s commitment to the mission, strengthens team bonds, and renews purpose as they give back. Could you get the front area pick-up or bag rice or beans for the food bank?
Start in 10 Minutes: Pick an organization or project that could use a quick boost—like helping at a food bank, weeding a neighbor’s walkway, or sprucing up your messy back entrance. Set a timer, rally the team, and say, “Let’s s get this done in 30 minutes!” This gives everyone a chance to jump in, focus, and win together.
Supporting your team during recovery doesn’t have to be a heavy lift—small, thoughtful actions can increase resilience and morale. Each of these actions is a building block that strengthens your culture today and creates a foundation for mission progress.
Looking to integrate these ideas into long-term growth? Connect with me to explore how we can align resilience practices with your organization’s goals.
