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5 meaningful conversation ideas for Employee Wellness Month

eric@scribl.co (Eric Rice) — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:41:34 GMT

Discover five employee wellness ideas that spark meaningful conversations, strengthen team connection, and build a culture of well-being.

What is Employee Wellness Month and why is it celebrated?

Each June, companies celebrate Employee Wellness Month, also known as Professional Wellness Month, as a reminder to prioritize the holistic well-being of their team members. That includes not just physical health, but also mental, emotional, financial, and social wellness.

For many of us, work takes up a significant portion of our lives. So when companies champion well-being, it makes a real difference–helping people feel their best and do their best personally and professionally.

Employee Wellness Month is an opportunity for companies to pause, reflect, and take action: to create space for supportive practices and meaningful conversations that foster a healthier, more connected workplace culture.

Why team connection matters, for wellness and performance

We often focus on the individual aspects of wellness, emphasizing healthy habits around things like exercise, sleep, and self-care. And while those are all important, so are our connections to each other.

Research shows that over 40% of employees experience feelings of isolation at work, fueling disconnection and high turnover rates. Building real connection can help reverse that. When people feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger, it strengthens emotional well-being and reduces turnover risk by 50% .

There’s a performance impact, too. Employees with close relationships at work tend to be more productive , creative , and collaborative .

That’s why creating space for meaningful conversations can be a simple yet powerful way to celebrate Employee Wellness Month. With just a few minutes and thoughtful prompts, you can help your team go deeper than small talk. These kinds of conversations help colleagues build trust and support each other in ways that strengthen both well-being and collaboration.

5 conversation ideas to build connection and well-being on your team

1. Talk about what you're up to outside of work

With summer on the horizon, it's a great time to invite your team to share what's bringing them joy, whether it's outdoor activities, travel plans, or quality time with loved ones. These experiences support holistic health and we may not get to enjoy them as much throughout the year.

If you offer your employees Summer Fridays, consider starting there and ask people how they use that time off. Remember to keep it open-ended and low-pressure. Some people might want to share all the details, while some might prefer to keep it vague. Respect and roll with what your team members need! What matters is offering space for colleagues to connect around these parts of life that fill our days outside of the office and fill our cups.

2. Break the ice with questions that center well-being

Icebreakers are a simple way to spark real conversation and bring more voices into it. For Employee Wellness Month, try prompts like:

Share one thing you’re grateful for today.
An activity I find relaxing is…
How are you practicing self-care these days?
A highlight to my week has been…

Lightweight but thoughtful questions like these can be especially helpful for broadening team participation by setting a tone of sharing and understanding.

Looking for more? Discover additional prompts to spark well-being conversations in Scribl’ s Wellness Check-in gamepack, and see the power of quick doodles to drive connection.

3. Empower team members to inspire each other

Even when colleagues work together for weeks, months, or years, they don’t always get to know each other on a deeper level. Sharing personal stories and insights helps us grow our relationships, while building psychological safety. Opening up these conversations is especially important for remote and hybrid teams, where casual, chance meet-ups are less common.

Employee Wellness Month is a great opportunity for team members to talk about their well-being journeys and practices, helping people learn from, inspire, and support each other.

Try prompts like:

What’s something you’re doing to support your well-being these days? This can be in any aspect–from physical or emotional, to spiritual or financial.
Share a wellness-win that you’ve had recently–big or small!
What’s something you’ve learned to help you care for yourself that you don’t often get to talk about?
What’s one of the most important lessons related to well-being you’ve learned?

You can pose one of these questions at the start of a team meeting, or create a short, optional lunch and learn where team members share something meaningful to them related to wellness. Try Scribl to help people more easily express themselves, and add creativity and fun to your meetings.

4. Ask your team what's working

Check in with your team to learn what they find most supportive to their well-being at work–from wellness initiatives, to benefits and flexibility, to how meetings are run. By hearing what’s helping directly from your team, you can tailor your efforts to serve people’s needs even better.

5. Invite your team to share what they'd love to see change

Make space for employees to share their feedback, insights, and ideas for how your company can better champion well-being. You’ll not just hear perspectives that only your team members can offer; you’ll help them know that you as a leader value them, their voice, and their unique experiences. This could even lead to a creative brainstorm session, and engage employees more in wellness-related initiatives.

Most importantly, really digest your team’s input. Then use it to inform your decisions going forward. Listening is powerful, but it's the action that builds trust.

Build team connections in a way that's creative and fun

With questions ranging from how you handle stress to favorite kitchen utensil, Scribl makes it easier to create the relationships that underpin well-being. Our digital teaming tool inspires colleagues to engage and share using a quick smartphone-enabled sketch, offering a fun, creative way to more effectively foster personal connection at every meeting.

Book a demo to try Scribl for free and discover how it can help your team strengthen relationships and culture with every touchpoint.

Meet the Scribl team

eric@scribl.co (Eric Rice) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 17:31:59 GMT

Our team sat down to play a few rounds of Scribl together. Join us and get to know the people behind the scenes!

I feel supported when...

Matthew Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Abbie Knapton, Customer Experience Lead

Eric Rice, Chief Creative Officer

An adventure I've been on recently is...

Alli Leson, Art Director

Jeffrey Sparr, Chief Relationship Officer and Co-Founder

Christina Strachoff, Design and Brand Lead

Something I can talk about for hours is...

Jonathan Jacobs, Senior Director, Operations & Strategy

Kimberly DiOrio-Rooney, Curriculum Director

Thanks for taking the time to get to know us a little better. We look forward to creating more connections that matter together!

Navigating employee engagement in the age of remote work

eric@scribl.co (Eric Rice) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:34:09 GMT

As work continues to evolve, keeping employees engaged and connected is more important than ever. Explore actionable ways to build a stronger culture of engagement in your organization.

With the rise of remote and hybrid teams, disengagement has become a real challenge. Many employees feel disconnected from their teams and organizations, which can make work less fulfilling and productive. The physical distance and lack of face-to-face interaction can feel isolating and make it tough for team members to feel they truly belong and are connected to their organization. This disconnection affects everyone – employees feel it, and employers see it in decreased productivity and higher turnover.

Engagement is the heartbeat of a healthy, vibrant workplace. Employees bring enthusiasm, commitment, and active participation to their roles when they're engaged. They perform better and feel more satisfied with their work, helping create a positive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. This leads to positive outcomes for both individuals and the organization.

At Scribl, we believe real human connections are essential for thriving teams and organizations. We approach connection through four key pillars: belonging , empathy , trust , and engagement. In this article, we’ll dive into engagement – why it’s important, the benefits it brings, and practical ways to cultivate it in your workplace.

What is engagement?

We see engagement as the enthusiasm, commitment, and active participation that employees bring to their work. Engaged employees are excited about their work, understand their roles, and see how their efforts contribute to the organization’s success. Engagement requires leadership and organizational support, creating an environment where employees feel respected and involved.

Why engagement matters

Engagement is a game-changer at every level of the workplace, helping individuals, teams, and organizations thrive. Here are some of the reasons why.

Engagement boosts productivity and job satisfaction.

Research shows that engaged employees are more productive and satisfied with their jobs. This creates a positive feedback loop, helping employees be more motivated and leading them to align their tasks with their skills and goals.

Engagement supports wellbeing.

Engagement contributes to better mental health. It’s a key factor in helping employees feel that they matter, and that their work matters. When employees feel valued and recognized, they experience less stress and a lower risk of depression, enhancing their overall wellbeing.

Engagement fosters innovation and teamwork.

Employees who feel like they matter at work, and are emotionally invested, are more likely to share ideas and challenge the status quo. They’re more comfortable and energized to take risks and pursue innovative solutions. Engaged employees are more adaptable, eager to learn, and motivated to collaborate, inspiring others and creating a vibrant, collaborative work culture.

Engagement reduces turnover.

High engagement is associated with lower turnover rates. Research shows that highly engaged teams see 18% to 43% less turnover compared to teams with low engagement. This reduces the risk of existing staff being overworked during transitions and the costs of hiring and training new employees.

How to build engagement

Building engagement today takes an intentional approach, especially from managers and leaders, but is worth it. Here are some strategies to get started.

Prioritize relationships and recognition.

Strong relationships, characterized by respect and appreciation, lead to more engaged employees. Make it a point to acknowledge and celebrate achievements on your team. Recognize how people handle challenges, encourage a job well done, and say thank you often.

As leaders, be empathetic and accessible.

Leaders play an important role in creating an engaged culture. Be present and approachable, communicate openly, and minimize distractions during interactions. When employees feel seen and supported by their leaders, they are more likely to reciprocate that and be more engaged.

Practice open communication.

Keep your team in the loop about organizational goals and create opportunities for dialogue. Involving them in the big picture fosters inclusion and encourages meaningful feedback. By actively seeking their input and taking steps based on their insights, you help your employees know that you value their contributions.

Create opportunities for meaningful work and growth.

People are more engaged when they feel like their work aligns with their skills, passions, and goals. Find out what your employees enjoy and aspire to, and support them in pursuing projects that match those interests.

Questions to build engagement

To understand what energizes your team, their goals, and how you can empower them in their work, try asking questions like these.

What are your career goals?
What are you excited about right now?
What have you enjoyed working on this year?
What areas would you like to grow in? Are there certain projects you’re interested in taking on?
How can we improve the way our team works together?
Do you feel like your skills are being used to their full potential? If not, I’d love to hear your ideas on how we can use them better, or we can brainstorm together.

Build an engaged workplace culture and help your team thrive with Scribl

Engagement is key to a happy, healthy workplace. It impacts everything from productivity and innovation to job satisfaction and mental health. By fostering strong relationships, open communication, and growth opportunities, you can help create an environment where employees feel genuinely respected and motivated.

Scribl makes it easy to integrate engagement-boosting practices into your daily routine. Our digital game is designed to build and measure connection in the workplace through creativity and engaging prompts. It creates space for conversations that matter, encourages active participation, and helps cultivate a strong sense of inclusion on your team. Scribl is a flexible, fun solution to grow engagement that can fit seamlessly into your organization.

Book a demo today to see Scribl in action and discover how it can strengthen relationships and engagement within your team.

Why trust is so important to build on your team

eric@scribl.co (Eric Rice) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 19:34:09 GMT

Trust empowers teams to do their best work together, and lays the foundation for a mentally healthy environment. Learn simple, actionable ways to build trust in your workplace.

Whether it’s explicitly recognized or not, anyone who has been part of a team has felt the impact of trust. When trust is lacking, the effects are palpable; hesitation to count on one another creeps in, open communication is suppressed, and collaboration becomes a challenge. But when trust is present, and it’s a completely different picture; team members actively support each other, ideas are shared freely and confidently, and collaboration flourishes. Trust not only forms the bedrock of effective teamwork, but also contributes to healthier, more engaged employees.

At Scribl, we believe that fostering meaningful human connections is crucial for the success of employees, teams, and organizations. We approach connection through four foundational pillars: belonging , empathy , trust, and engagement . In this article, we delve into the concept of trust – its importance, the benefits it brings to the workplace, and practical ways to cultivate it within your team.

What is trust?

Trust is a cornerstone of all meaningful relationships. It’s the confidence that we can rely on one another to do what we say we will, showing up with authenticity and support. It helps connection and wellbeing thrive.

Why trust matters

In the workplace, trust is a powerful catalyst for both mental wellbeing and team success. Research shows that high-trust environments lead to significant benefits: stress levels drop by 74%, energy levels soar by 106%, and burnout decreases by 40% compared to low-trust settings. A driver of these dramatic improvements is the sense of psychological safety that trust fosters. When employees feel safe to express their thoughts honestly – including disagreements or concerns – without fear of backlash or pressure to downplay difficulties, it reduces work-related anxiety and fear.

Trust also plays a critical role in effective teamwork . It enhances collaboration by building stronger relationships, encouraging open exchange of ideas, and minimizing the risk of groupthink. In high-trust organizations, employees are more inclined to speak up, help their colleagues, and contribute to a supportive, motivated work environment. These employees report 50% higher productivity and 76% more engagement, highlighting how trust is not only a booster for wellbeing and morale, but a key factor for your organization to thrive.

How to build trust

Empower trust within your team by embracing vulnerability and nurturing intentional relationships.

Show vulnerability yourself.

Trust involves all parties in our relationships, but it can start with us. Make an effort to share things with the people on your team; it could be something fun you did over the weekend, or a challenge you’re facing with a project. Share what you’re comfortable with, in line with the workplace boundaries that feel supportive to you.

Share your point of view with honesty and kindness.

When sharing your insights, experience, and opinions with your team, approach it with authenticity. Your genuine perspective will be appreciated and help build trust over time, showing your colleagues they can rely on you to be honest. Remember to communicate with empathy; especially when sharing something challenging, it’s important that the person you’re talking with knows you care for and consider them. When preparing for these types of conversations, make sure to take into account the relationship, what’s on your colleague’s plate, and how you can communicate in order to truly benefit them.

Make connection a priority.

Especially when teams are working remotely, disconnection can be the default. One way to build trust is by simply being intentional to show up and be present for others. Turn your camera on if you’re comfortable, strike up a conversation as you’re waiting for the start of a meeting, or schedule regular virtual coffee breaks where team members can casually catch up.

Listen, remember, and follow-up.

Show you care by actively listening, remembering details, and following up on what your colleagues share with you. Whether it's about their personal interests, goals, or work challenges, taking note and checking in later demonstrates that you value them, their perspective, and their contributions. This simple act not only builds rapport, but also shows your commitment to supporting them.

Questions to build trust

Try asking open-ended questions like these as a starting point for developing trust in your relationships at work.

What’s something you’ve been learning recently?
What are you reading or listening to at the moment? Or, what have you wanted to?
What’s a challenge you’re facing these days?
What’s something outside of work that you’ve been striving to accomplish?
How do you think that project went? What could have been better?
How can I support you in what you’re doing? (Then, follow through!)

Build trust and empower your team to thrive with Scribl

Fostering a culture of trust can truly transform your work environment, making it a place where innovation, collaboration, and well-being thrive. As we've seen, trust improves employee mental health, boosts productivity, and leads to a more engaged team. While the strategies we’ve covered are a solid starting point for building trust in your own interactions, extending these efforts across your organization can have an even greater impact.

Our collaborative game, Scribl, is designed to help you build trust and connection throughout your workplace. It provides a simple and effective way to strengthen team cohesion by facilitating relationship-building, encouraging vulnerability, and integrating these practices into your daily routine. Through engaging prompts and creativity, Scribl fosters meaningful conversations that nurture real, trusting relationships.

Ready to see the power of Scribl for yourself? Book a demo today and see how our game can enhance your team’s connections and overall well-being.

Empathy in the workplace: How it improves employee wellbeing and ways to nurture it

eric@scribl.co (Eric Rice) — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 19:34:09 GMT

Fostering empathy is vital for helping your team members feel their best, and creating a work environment marked by understanding, effective collaboration, and support. Discover simple steps to help you cultivate more empathy in your workplace.

In today’s fast-paced, hybrid work environment, empathy often takes a back seat. Whether we're working remotely in silos or absorbed in our own tasks, genuine connection and understanding can feel fleeting and hard to develop. Starkly, recent studies reveal that only 41% of employees feel they are truly cared for at work.

However, empathetic connections hold transformative power for how we feel and show up at work. They’re also important for people; research indicates that up to 92% of job seekers look for empathetic organizational cultures when considering career opportunities.

Prioritizing empathy in our workplaces not only strengthens relationships, but also boosts individual wellbeing, fostering an environment where every person feels heard, supported, and motivated to be there for each other. Building these connections might be simpler than you think.

At Scribl, we anchor human connection on four essential pillars: belonging , empathy, trust , and engagement . In this article, we explore empathy – what it means, why it matters, and actionable strategies to cultivate it within your team.

What is empathy?

Empathy is the ability to step into another person’s shoes, and truly feel what they’re feeling. It sparks compassion, and drives us to support people in practical ways.

Why empathy matters

Empathy is a key ingredient of strong relationships, and can aid our own mental wellbeing. It enables us to understand the perspectives, needs, and intentions of other people, helping us provide meaningful support when it’s needed most. Regularly practicing empathy also equips us to manage our own emotions effectively, improving our ability to respond to stressful or emotionally challenging situations.

In the workplace, empathy acts as a health booster – both physically and emotionally. Research shows that when managers lead with empathy, their employees are sick less often and feel happier when they make progress toward their goals at work. Empathetic leadership fosters an environment of understanding, encouragement, and collaboration. When employees feel like their managers and peers value and want to understand their perspectives, they’re more likely to contribute their ideas and insights freely. This empathetic workplace environment not only enhances employee wellbeing and teamwork, but can also improve overall productivity.

How to build empathy

Fostering empathy at work is about nurturing opportunities for vulnerability, and leaning into those moments. Create spaces for team members to share how they’re really feeling, and help them know you’re there for them, with these tips to build empathy.

Focus on the person’s feelings.

Sometimes we want to reassure the other person that they aren’t alone in how they feel, and that we’ve felt that way too. This type of connection can be powerful and reassuring, but it’s important to keep the conversation centered on the speaker. Keep your personal sharing as short and to the point as possible, relating it back to them and what they might be feeling.

Be mindful of your body language.

We can foster empathy not only through what we say, but through our non-verbal communication. Maintain an open, engaged posture, and make appropriate levels of eye contact with the colleague you’re having a conversation with. Pay attention to your tone as well, aiming to keep a soothing tone when you’re speaking.

Ask follow-up questions.

Follow-up questions are at the heart of building empathy; we can only put ourselves into another person’s shoes when we truly understand their experiences. These types of questions help conversations go beneath the surface, creating space for the team member you’re talking with to share more about what’s going on for them.

Questions to build empathy

Try follow-up questions like these to gently offer your team members the space to expand on what they’re talking about, and share their joys and challenges – as much as they’re comfortable with. You’ll be able to learn more about their experience, and they’ll know you care and aren’t afraid to lean in.

How has navigating that situation been for you?
What was the hardest part about that experience?
What’s your biggest challenge with that project? How can I help?
Can you tell me more about that?
Is there something you’re grateful for from that experience? If you don’t feel like there is, that’s okay.

When someone shares with vulnerability, especially about something hard, the way you respond can go a long way in showing empathy and strengthening your connection. Try responses like these to let your colleague know you heard them, and hold space for their experience.

Thank you for sharing that with me.
If you want to talk about it more, I’m willing to listen, hold space, and help in any way I can.
That must be so hard for you.
I’m here for you.

Nurture a team culture marked by empathy and support

Cultivating an empathetic workplace culture is essential for caring for your employees’ wellbeing and fostering collaboration. By weaving empathy into your daily interactions and team practices, you help create an environment where everyone feels understood, safe to be vulnerable, and motivated to support one another.

Integrating practices that build empathy into your workday is easy with Scribl, our digital game designed to nurture genuine connections. Through creativity and engaging prompts, Scribl helps team members share their experiences, gain insights into each other’s perspectives, and show mutual support. Whether you kick off meetings with a quick Scribl session to break the ice, or use it to check in on how your team is feeling during remote workdays, just a few minutes of play can go a long way to enhancing empathy and camaraderie on your team.

Ready to see the impact for yourself? Book a demo today to discover how Scribl can boost your team’s wellbeing and build stronger connections.

Understanding belonging: Why it matters and how to build it

eric@scribl.co (Eric Rice) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:06:13 GMT

Cultivating a sense of belonging is essential for caring for your employees’ wellbeing, and creating resilient teams. Discover simple steps to foster a stronger sense of belonging in your workplace.

Feeling like we belong isn't just a desire; it's a fundamental need that profoundly influences our wellbeing, especially within the workplace. Research highlights that 40% of employees experience feelings of isolation, contributing to widespread disconnection and high turnover rates. However, building a sense of belonging can help reverse these trends, leading to happier, healthier, and more effective teams.

At Scribl, we look at human connection through four foundational pillars: belonging, empathy , trust , and engagement . In this article, we delve into the concept of belonging – what it entails, why it is so important, and practical strategies to develop it within your team.

What is belonging?

Belonging means being seen, embraced, and backed by others, and reciprocating that acceptance. It grows slowly over time, with people who affirm us as our full, authentic selves.

Why belonging matters

Belonging goes beyond fostering camaraderie – it’s about nurturing wellbeing. Research shows that when we feel like we belong, we feel happier , less lonely, and experience less social anxiety. Belonging, or the lack of it, is also a strong predictor of depression , even more than other factors like social support and conflict.

A sense of belonging is like having a safety net in challenging situations, too. Feeling like we have real support helps us manage stress and cope with difficulties more effectively, at work or at home.

Belonging not only makes people feel better, but it’s a key to creating strong, resilient teams. Research shows that when employees feel like they belong, turnover risk drops by 50% .

How to build belonging

Promote acceptance, inclusion, and a culture of support on your team with these tips to build belonging.

Seize small opportunities to connect.

Take advantage of the in-between moments in your work day, like passing someone by in the office or when you’re funneling into a zoom meeting. Give them a genuine compliment, or simply ask them how their day is going. Even small moments of connection can help someone feel seen and supported.

Embrace the process.

Remember to be patient – it takes time to build strong, supportive relationships. Keep in mind the value of every interaction, and allow relationships characterized by belonging to develop over time.

Be curious!

Ask your colleagues thoughtful questions, and really listen with the goal of understanding them better. Ask them what they thought about that show they mentioned they were going to, how their big project is going, or try one of the questions in the next section. By intentionally taking interest in people’s lives, you can create space for them to authentically share about their experiences and interests. You’ll learn a lot, too.

Questions to build belonging

Ask questions like these to help team members share about their experiences authentically, talk about what matters to them, and convey to them that you’re there to support them.

What do your days look like these days? Is there a part you look forward to the most?
What helps you feel supported that I can do more of?
What’s something you could give a talk on without needing to prepare?
Do you have any boundaries you’ve set up for your work time, so I can support you in honoring them?
What’s been top of mind for you this week?

Cultivate a culture of belonging at your workplace

Creating a workplace where every individual feels a sense of belonging isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential. By implementing strategies that foster inclusivity, support, and genuine connection, you not only boost the wellbeing of your team members, but also develop a work environment where they want to stay.

You can incorporate opportunities to build belonging into your work days with Scribl, our digital game. Using creativity and carefully crafted prompts, Scribl is designed to help your team members get to know each other in meaningful ways. It promotes a sense of community and understanding, gives your team a shared experience, and it only takes a few minutes to play. We should mention – it’s also a lot of fun!

Book a demo today to play a round with us, and discover how Scribl can help improve wellbeing and strengthen connections on your team.