Building Team Cohesion Through Music
One powerful way to build connection and foster collaboration is through music.
Imagine a playlist built not just for your team, but by your team.
Welcome to the idea of a Team Playlist: a collaborative project where each member chooses a song that resonates with them and shares a short reflection. This simple act of musical sharing opens a window into each other’s world, builds empathy, and highlights the unique energies we each bring to the team.
Here’s a step by step guide to how it could work for you and your team.
Pick a Platform
Choose a music streaming platform that supports collaborative playlists:
Spotify – Collaborative playlists with easy sharing and editing.
YouTube Music – Great for global teams with varied access.
Apple Music – Ideal for teams already in the Apple ecosystem.
SoundCloud – Useful for teams with creators or niche musical tastes.
Notion + Embedded Players – Combine music links with written blurbs in one sleek team page.
Slack or Microsoft Teams – Create a channel or thread where songs and reflections are shared weekly.
Set the Theme
You can build the playlist around:Team values (e.g., resilience, innovation, joy)
Moods or intentions (e.g., focus, celebration, calm)
Personal inspiration
Cultural celebrations
Team Member Contributions
Each member adds:One song
A short blurb explaining:
Why the song matters to them
What they want the team to know and/or,
How the song reflects or supports the team’s goals or wellbeing.
When a team shares music:
Empathy grows: You learn what motivates or soothes your colleagues.
Creativity sparks: New genres or lyrics can trigger fresh ideas.
Psychological safety builds: Sharing something personal creates trust.
Energy resets: A playlist can energize the start of the week or wind down after a project milestone.
So get to it! Post a comment here and share your team playlist with others; or email: colabstudio2@gmail.com