How small rituals energize teams – especially in hybrid times
Bad moods in teams rarely result from a lack of information. More often, what is missing is emotional resonance. A recent case study shows how leaders can use simple communication rituals to bring fresh energy into their teams.
The downward spiral – a case from practice
May 2025: A German global market leader in automation. Order books were full, yet productivity declined. In hybrid teams, complaints about “lack of appreciation,” “constant stress,” and “turf wars” piled up. Sick leave increased, and team leaders reported conflicts over trivial issues.
Management was perplexed. Everything was organized, communicated, and structured. Yet morale collapsed. The key insight came not from controlling but from a workshop with us as communication consultants:
The problem was not a lack of information, but the absence of emotional resonance.
If you allow yourself to focus on the negative, you shouldn’t be surprised when motivation in your team is low.
The biggest mistake: Letting negativity dominate
Statements such as “Two more people on sick leave” or “The mood is as gray as the weather” act as accelerants.
In hybrid settings, negative narratives spread faster than any official memo. The brain is tuned to danger signals – problems are shared more, emotionally amplified, and reinforced with every repetition.
The result: rising stress, escalating conflicts, and inner withdrawal – leading to a downward spiral.
What communication must achieve now
Leadership starts with focus. And language steers focus. Leaders who fail to counteract negativity risk emotional destabilization within their teams.
What’s needed are not grand transformations, but consistent micro-interventions. Small updates – big impact.
5 rituals that energize hybrid teams
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Digital Positive Check-in
Start each daily meeting with: “What was my personal highlight since yesterday?”
→ builds connection and activates resources. -
Kudo Wall in the intranet or Miro board
A space for short, genuine recognition.
→ systematically builds appreciation. -
Mood barometer with emojis or Slido
Quick check-in: “How is the team really doing?”
→ provides leaders with early warning signals. -
Digital marble jar
Collect positive moments on a Teams or Notion page. Monthly review: “Best of Moments.”
→ strengthens the positive team memory. -
“And still” ritual
Each member names a challenge – and a positive counterpoint: “And still, I feel motivated because …”
→ trains resilience through reframing.
Communication is attitude, not just content
Leadership also means being an emotional role model. Leaders who complain pull others down. Leaders who show resilience lift others up.
A practical tool: the G.A.M.E. Code® from my book Leadership Task No. 1: Communication:
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Goal: What should your communication achieve?
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Audience: What does your team need emotionally right now?
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Message: What is your clear, positive statement?
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Extras: Which stories, rituals, or images support it?
Conclusion: Mood management is a leadership task
Relying only on processes and KPIs means leading past the people. Mood is not a soft skill – it is a strategic lever for performance, health, and loyalty.
Don’t just run meetings. Lead energy. Every day.
Yours, Dr. Nikolai A. Behr
Management task no. 1: Communication: Master the Most Essential Leadership Skill. The Fundamentals.
📘 Leadership Task No. 1: Communication
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