Building team culture 15 minutes at a time

"Let's go Josh…this is what we do here" the leader of Cargill's trading analytics team said as he passed my desk. It was 7:00am and I'd just sat down for my first day in my role as a commodity trading analyst, having just sorted out my laptop and monitor. The leader, one of the company's most respected executives, was cluing me into the team's morning ritual. We walked down to the cafeteria and grabbed a water, coffee, or snack, then walked back to our desks just off the trading floor. This 15-minute routine was building our team culture in several important ways.

Casually connected

Our team's day began with a review of the last 24 hours' precipitation and temperature data, leading up to the opening of the commodity markets. We were quickly immersed in the daily hustle of analyzing weather data, updating our predictive models, and tracking the price moves in the markets (my focus was the U.S. wheat, corn, and soybean markets). Gathering our team for a quick walk to the cafeteria first thing in the morning ensured we had a chance for casual conversation before the hustle of the day. 

Organic and simple

Another thing I grew to appreciate about our morning routine was the simplicity of it. I've been a part of other teams where "building culture" takes on the form of expensive gatherings or highly energetic programs. Our water break couldn't have been more different. It was born from the simple need for starting the day with a beverage of choice. But by doing it together, it was a vehicle for building culture, just like expensive programs designed to connect teams. The difference was that this 15-minute "event" was a steady drip, drip, drip of organic connection. We were getting to know each other and staying connected with each interaction. 

Intentional and free

Human relationships are inconvenient by the standards of most organizations' daily operations. I've experienced the toxic culture that slowly creeps into teams that are stuck in meetings all day with no time set aside for casual interactions. There's a reason for this. Casual interactions can't be easily managed through our Outlook calendars. They can be messy in that they don't follow a tight agenda, or come with a pre-read to help us prepare. But the counter-intuitive truth is that a steady commitment to authentic connections forms the surest path to long-term success. Although our routine didn't cost any money, it did require intentionality. Each day's trip was a small act of intention: "I want something to drink. I bet you do too. Let's go get something together."

This group of analysts are among the most talented group of professionals I've had the privilege of working with. They are experts in their craft, and would still deliver great work with or without the morning ritual. But this daily group habit is kind of like the way parents of a newborn experience the value of sleep: you don't fully appreciate its impact until it's missing. And in a busy work environment full of busy people tackling high-stakes work, a daily 15-minute practice can go a long way in forging a more connected team.