To address feedback about team members feeling excluded, start by acknowledging their concerns and creating an open, non-judgmental space for dialogue. Seek specific examples to understand the root causes, whether it's communication gaps, group dynamics, or activity types. Ensure that team activities cater to diverse interests and preferences, making inclusivity a priority. Involve the entire team in planning future events to foster ownership and engagement. Encourage team leaders to be mindful of inclusivity in daily interactions. Follow up regularly to ensure progress and continuously adapt based on feedback, creating a more inclusive environment.

Getting them to understand the larger mission is imp. As a team navigates different stages within a startup, different team members will shine out at different stages. Building that anticipation for someone who is not able to see their moment to shine is very imp.

You might hate me for this, but FORCE them to have that initial "bonding" within the team(s). The textbook stages of Forming--->Performing are VERY applicable to real-world teams. Form champions and culture-leads for any team with more than 6 people. This makes the foundation very strong to make everyone feel included -- during work, after work and before work -- whenever and wherever applicable. In a startup, you've teams with a shared vision and not a mere KPI-driven herd!

When team members feel excluded, it's critical to move swiftly. Buffer, a remote-first firm, encountered similar issues. They solved the problem by encouraging open talks through open communication channels, tailoring team activities to varied interests and locations, and completing regular feedback loops. Buffer promoted diversity by creating virtual hangouts and rotating team-building activities, ensuring that all employees, regardless of geography, felt valued and connected. Listening to and acting on feedback promotes team unity.

If it’s your team members… then it’s probably something related to you. Get some objective advice from outside your group of you want to really tackle it.