Draw a Card, Change Your Workplace: The Surprise Hit of National Employee Benefits Day

Published for 2025 National Employee Benefits Day

When we think of employee benefits, our minds typically jump to health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. But as we celebrate National Employee Benefits Day, it's worth considering that some of the most impactful workplace benefits aren't found in an HR packet—they're in the meaningful connections we build with our colleagues.

The Power of Authentic Connection

In today's hybrid and remote work environments, creating genuine connections among team members has never been more challenging—or more important. This is where The Skin Deep's conversation card games, specifically our "Coworkers" and "Teambuilding" editions, are revolutionizing how teams interact and connect.

These aren't your typical ice-breakers with surface-level questions about favorite foods or dream vacations. The Skin Deep cards are thoughtfully designed to foster authentic relationships through meaningful conversations that matter, improving work relationships, and fostering improved team performance.

What Makes These Cards Different?

The Skin Deep's card games stand apart through their ability to gradually build trust through carefully crafted questions. From the mildly reflective to the deeply introspective, each card creates space for colleagues to share at their comfort level while discovering new dimensions of their teammates.

Sample questions include:

• "How do you think you and I value feedback differently?"
• "When was the last time you were proud of your team and why?"
• "What's the best piece of advice you've ever received regarding being a better teammate?"

Benefits for Management

For leaders and managers, these cards offer a structured yet organic way to:

• Build psychological safety - When managers participate authentically, it signals to team members that vulnerability is valued
• Identify hidden strengths - Conversations often reveal talents and perspectives that formal assessments miss
• Improve retention - Employees who feel seen and understood are significantly more likely to stay
• Break down silos - Cross-departmental sessions can dissolve barriers between teams that rarely interact

Benefits for Team Members

For individual contributors and team members, the cards provide:

• A voice at the table - The round-robin format ensures everyone participates equally
• Recognition beyond deliverables - Colleagues can showcase their values and experiences, not just their output
• Conflict reduction - Understanding colleagues' motivations and challenges naturally reduces friction
• Belonging - Discovering shared experiences creates bonds that transcend job titles

Implementing Card Games as a Workplace Benefit

The beauty of these cards lies in their flexibility. They can be integrated into:

• Weekly team meetings (start with one question per session)
• Quarterly offsites or retreats
• Onboarding processes for new team members
• Virtual happy hours for remote teams
• Lunch and learn sessions

Beyond "Team Building"

While labeled as "team building," these conversations accomplish something much deeper than traditional activities. Rather than forcing camaraderie through competitive games or outdoor challenges, The Skin Deep cards create conditions where authentic relationships can naturally develop.

The Return on Investment

While difficult to quantify precisely, companies that have implemented The Skin Deep cards report:

• Improved collaboration on complex projects
• Increased willingness to provide constructive feedback
• More creative problem-solving in cross-functional teams
• Higher scores on employee engagement surveys

A Benefit Worth Celebrating

On this National Employee Benefits Day, consider that sometimes the most impactful benefits aren't the most expensive ones. The Skin Deep card games represent a relatively small investment with potentially transformative returns for your organization's culture.

After all, in a world where technology increasingly automates workflows, our uniquely human ability to connect, understand, and support one another may be the most valuable workplace benefit of all.

Get the best for your team and save 20% off {THE AND} @ Work Decks through April, 2025. Use code: BENEFIT20

Looking to bring The Skin Deep card games to your workplace? Both the Coworkers and Teambuilding editions are available for corporate purchase, with bulk discounts for larger teams- Contact Us Here.