Build Team Cohesion with "Hippopotamus Days"

Practicing Connection

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What if a single phrase could transform your team’s understanding and support for each other on tough days?

Discover how “Hippopotamus Days” can build connection, understanding, and trust - one inside joke at a time.

Building team cohesion isn’t just about big events or trust falls - it’s about the small moments of understanding that bring people together.

In this episode of Practicing Connection, Coral and Jessica introduce the concept of “Hippopotamus Days,” a playful, team-created code word that signals when someone’s having an off day but still wants to be present.

Learn how developing a shared language and group norms can foster empathy, reduce misunderstandings, and make your team stronger - even on the toughest days. Tune in for practical steps to create your own team phrase and see how humor and honesty can become powerful tools for connection.

OneOp Academy is a free online series designed for anyone interested in positive change, whether you're an educator, community leader, student, or just passionate about supporting families.

This year's Academy spotlights the unique challenges facing military connected youth, from mental health to resilience education to community support.

 Explore the 2025 OneOp Academy and register today at oneop.org/series/2025academy