How to Keep Your Team Engaged (Even When Half of Them Are on Vacation)
Spoiler: It’s not about working harder. It’s about staying connected.
Summer is almost here.
The long weekends.
The half-days.
The mental “out of office” before the official one even kicks in.
You can feel it already.
One teammate’s planning a hiking trip in Banff.
Another’s juggling daycare and deadlines.
Someone else? Mentally on a beach… even if their body’s still at their desk.
When summer season hits, things start to feel out of sync.
The energy dips.
The rhythm’s off.
And the knee-jerk response?
More check-ins. More meetings. More pressure to “stay productive.”
But here’s what we’ve seen over and over again:
Pressure doesn’t create engagement. Connection does.
When people feel part of something—when they feel seen, trusted, and valued—they show up.
Even when half the office is on vacation.
Even when they’re tired.
So as your team heads into summer, instead of doubling down on structure,
create shared moments that spark energy and belonging.
Here are three science-backed ways to do it:
Micro-moments of meaning
Skip the status updates. Ask:
“What’s giving you energy this week?”
“What’s one small win we can celebrate?”
Summer rituals (that don’t feel forced)
A spontaneous walk-and-talk.
A surprise afternoon off.
Or simply a midday music break together.
(Novelty = dopamine = motivation.)
Shared challenges—with zero pressure
Start a team steps challenge.
Or a fun photo scavenger hunt.
The goal? Light connection and fun—without adding to the to-do list.
Here’s the truth:
If your team feels disengaged this summer, it’s not their fault.
They’re probably just disconnected.
And what they really need isn’t another meeting.
It’s a moment.
To move.
To laugh.
To feel like a team again.
Because when people feel like they belong—
They don’t just show up.
They light up.
