Working under pressure is almost an Olympic sport these days. Tight deadlines, ambitious targets, never-ending emails… And in the midst of this choreographed chaos, teams are expected to be motivated, productive and, icing on the cake, happy…

Ambitious? Yes. Impossible? Not really.

The truth is that happiness in teams doesn’t happen by chance. Nor is it born from catering Tuesday’s meeting. It’s something you cultivate, with intention, consistency and, come on… a bit of fun thrown in (yes, we’re talking about us, but we’ll get to that).

From a professional point of view, the emotional health of the team becomes a strategic asset. People become more productive, more focused, and the results appear in greater and better quantity. It’s a high-performance strategy.

From a personal point of view, feeling empathy for others and, at the same time, feeling that others feel empathy for us transforms the way we are. It’s a strong emotion that, in a “normal” job, accompanies us from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., making up more than 30% of our day – more than 50%, if we only consider the hours when people are usually awake, so we are influencing a large slice of people’s day.

Happy teams don’t just happen!

But after all, why is it worth worrying about the team’s happiness? Because it pays off. A lot!

According to a study by the University of Oxford, happy employees are, on average, 13% more productive. In addition, teams with good internal relations have reductions of up to 40% in turnover. In other words, when the team gets along well, they work better and stay longer.

On the other hand, a Harvard Business Review study shows that healthy work environments with trusting relationships recover more quickly from failures or critical periods, improving productivity and company results.

In other words: a happy team is not just “a cute team”. It’s a strategic team!

But how do you create this kind of atmosphere in a setting where stress is the order of the day?

The answer is simple: with small, consistent gestures. Shall we?

1. Create moments of connection outside the work context

It sounds simple. But it makes all the difference. When people get to know each other outside the pressure of targets, they build trust, and trust is the foundation of any high-performance team.

👉 Our suggestion? Create informal, relaxed moments where people can be… people. A lunch out, an escape room or (why not?) an experience with The Portuguese Buddy, full of challenges designed to cultivate empathy, listening and cooperation. (The choice of company was totally impartial, of course 😄)

2. Normalize vulnerability (yes, even at work)

We’re not talking about a group therapy session in an open space (although it sometimes seems tempting). We’re talking about leaders and team members who can say: “I need help”, “I made a mistake”, or “I’m not at my best”.

Why? Environments where it is safe to show fragility are the same ones where innovation, mutual help and authenticity flourish.

👉 Want one more tip from us? It all starts with leadership. When leadership shows vulnerability, it paves the way for everyone else to do so. And that’s when true bonds are formed. This creates authentic bonds and reduces the fear of failure.

3. Investing in active listening (and not just in feedback meetings)

The title says it all. Be attentive. Noticing when someone shuts up. Noticing when the tone changes. Really listening – even in informal conversations. Understanding the people in the team, whether you’re the leader or “just” part of it, and acting before it’s too late.

👉Active listening creates cohesion, security and commitment. It prevents problems, reduces tensions and brings people closer together. And, in essence, that’s what we mean when we say “team”.

4. Celebrate (even the small victories)

In today’s fast pace, it’s easy to forget what goes well. But celebrating (even if it’s a deadline met or positive feedback) reinforces a sense of belonging and recognition.

Did you know that… employees who receive regular recognition are 5 times more likely to feel valued and motivated at work? And no, we’re not making this up – it’s a Gallup study carried out in 2022 on this very subject!

👉 Make room for celebrations! Recognize others. Celebrate achievements. And if it’s your victory? Share that too! In the end, everyone’s victories are the team’s victories.

In short…

High-pressure environments don’t have to be high-stress environments. With small (intentional) gestures, it’s possible to transform stressed teams into connected, cohesive and, yes, happy ones.

And if you need help to take that step, we’re here: at The Portuguese Buddy we create experiences that take the team out of autopilot and put them where the bonds really are: in the field of empathy, trust, listening and sharing.

Want to know how we can help your team bond even in demanding environments? Talk to us. A change of scenery will feel good!

References:

Oswald, A. J., Proto, E., & Sgroi, D. (2015). Happiness and Productivity. University of Warwick. Available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/new_study_shows/

Gallup (2022). State of the Global Workplace Report 2022. Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx

Gallup (2023). The Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Turnover. Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/257578/employees-quit-bosses.aspx

Moss, J. (2023). Creating a Happier Workplace Is Possible – and Worth It. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2023/10/creating-a-happier-workplace-is-possible-and-worth-it