The team that cooks together, stays together. Our kitchen is a communal hub of creativity and disasters. We take turns at cooking our own lunch and making tea — for the entire team. Cooking and then eating our food together encourages conversations, bonhomie and creates an amazing bond. The meal is fresh, surprising (often even the Chef is surprised by the outcome!), and nourishes more than the body.

We clean our office ourselves — as a team. The idea is: Why should someone else clean up our crap? Its impact is profound — instills humility, a sense of ownership and responsibility. We take pride in our workspace and respect our colleagues and micro environment.

Both cooking and cleaning work as a form of servant leadership skills training. It trains you to look out for others, stay grounded and never look down on a person doing such tasks for a living. The time spent cooking or cleaning is also a form of meditation, and introspection — leading to insights and breakthroughs, both personal and professional.

Saturdays are action packed. Bigger menu (Chef even gets allocated an assistant), plus we discuss the week gone by and the one coming up. We also have a gyaan session — some inputs on tech, life, money management… and an opportunity for team members to share insights, set priorities, and align goals. Then we have some ridiculous game in which we all attempt to cheat and win. Playing and cheating are deceptively underrated — it lightens the atmosphere, loosens us up, and allows our inner child to come out and play.

We recognize achievements — individual and collective. When we close a deal, master a new skill or complete a project, we celebrate. This boosts morale, and reinforces a culture that values individual and team contributions.

Daily (at no specific time or duration), we play any of these games. Friendly competition and grudge matches aren't just stress busters, they promote mental agility and team bonding, along with refreshing our minds despite our busy schedules.

Recognizing achievements, maintaining a clean workspace, and engaging in fun activities significantly boost team morale and well-being. Shared responsibilities like communal cooking and regular games foster camaraderie and strengthen team bonds, creating a cohesive and supportive environment.

Weekly planning sessions enhance open communication and collaborative problem-solving, while games and innovation jams stimulate creativity and drive continuous innovation. Together, these practices not only improve the team's efficiency but also create a vibrant and dynamic workplace.

By implementing these strategies, we create a positive, productive, and innovative team culture that benefits everyone involved.