Spill the Box: A Fun Remote Team Activity to Build Trust and Connection

In the age of remote work, it's more important than ever to foster team connection and build trust. While virtual meetings often focus on tasks, deadlines, and KPIs, we can sometimes overlook the human element that makes work enjoyable and meaningful! One of my favorite team activities to strengthen the team dynamics: Spill the Box.

Spill the Box is a simple yet effective team-building exercise that encourages personal sharing and opens the door for meaningful conversations. It’s designed to help team members connect on a personal level and strengthen relationships in a casual, non-work setting.

How Spill the Box Works

The concept is easy to execute, even in a virtual setting. Here’s how you can organize this activity:

1. Prepare the Chat Box: At the beginning of your next virtual meeting, ask your team to open the chat feature. The activity is called "Spill the Box," so you can metaphorically refer to it as filling a virtual box with personal items.

2. Type Out Bucket List Items: Ask each team member to type 2-3 items they have on their bucket list. It could be anything—from skydiving, visiting a particular country, learning a new skill, or even something like baking the perfect pie. These are personal goals or dreams that people hope to achieve in their lifetime.

3. Wait for Everyone: Once everyone has typed their answers, ask them to hold off on hitting enter. The fun part happens next when everyone reveals their answers simultaneously.

4. Hit Enter Together: When everyone is ready, they hit enter at the same time. This is the "spill" moment where the virtual bucket box is opened, and everyone's bucket list items are revealed all at once. There’s something magical about sharing personal goals in a collaborative way—it sparks interest, curiosity, and a sense of shared humanity.

5. Take Turns Sharing and Discussing: After the items are revealed, team members can take turns discussing their bucket list items. Why are they on the list? What motivates them to pursue these goals? Has anyone already checked off something from their list? It’s a great opportunity to learn more about each other’s passions, hopes, and dreams outside of work.

Why Spill the Box Works

Spill the Box is more than just a fun diversion—it’s an intentional activity that helps build trust and connection. Here are the ways I have found that it has helped my remote team:

1. Personal Connections in a Professional Setting

2. No Pressure, Just Fun

3. Encourages Openness

4. Sparks Meaningful Conversations

5. Builds Empathy

Tips for Making the Most of Spill the Box

To get the most out of Spill the Box, here are a few additional tips:

• Keep It Lighthearted: Encourage everyone to choose items they feel comfortable sharing. It's not meant to be a deep, introspective session, so the tone should remain lighthearted and fun.

• Encourage Follow-Ups: After the activity, feel free to check in periodically on everyone’s progress toward their bucket list goals. It shows that you genuinely care about each person’s personal growth.

• Rotate the Activities: If Spill the Box is a success, consider making it a recurring activity. You could change up the themes and topics (e.g., "favorite hobbies," "dream vacations," "something you want to learn this year") to keep the conversations fresh.

The Power of Team Trust

Trust is the foundation of any great team, and Spill the Box is a fun way to nurture it in a remote work environment. By sharing personal bucket list items, team members engage in open dialogue and learn more about one another. This sense of openness and connection carries over into the work environment, fostering collaboration and mutual respect.

So next time you're preparing for a virtual meeting, try adding Spill the Box to the agenda. It’s a simple activity that can make a big impact on your team’s dynamic. And, who knows? Maybe one of your colleagues will inspire you to add a new item to your own bucket list!