Fun Ways to Reinforce Team Norms - Ep 79

In this episode of 'Building a Culture of Collaboration,' hosts Curtis and Lorna Hewson explore creative, engaging ways to reinforce team norms in educational settings. They emphasize that while establishing norms is essential for effective collaboration, simply posting them isn't enough—teams must actively live and celebrate them. The hosts share several fun, gamified strategies used by schools to keep norms visible and meaningful, such as appointing a 'Norm' role inspired by the Cheers character, using a Staples Easy Button to gently redirect off-topic conversations, and turning norm adherence into friendly competitions. Other tactics include secret 'positive note' collectors, bingo chips for tracking positive behaviors, and elastic bands that move to the center of the table as team members demonstrate desired norms. These playful approaches foster psychological safety, accountability, and joy in team interactions, proving that collaboration doesn’t have to be rigid or dull. The episode underscores that intentional, consistent reinforcement of norms leads to deeper trust and more productive teamwork. By making norm practice interactive and lighthearted, teams stay engaged and more likely to internalize collaborative behaviors. The hosts encourage listeners to experiment with these methods and share their own innovations. They also promote a free guide on developing team norms and invite audience participation through their mailing list and social channels.