It is important to create the right environment where people can be at their best. Taking time to understand who’s who and what brings them to your work helps unlock what matters to and motivates them, and helps others understand their point of view.

Simple measures like giving everyone a name badge, having someone to meet and greet people, using ice-breakers, covering people’s travel costs and offering free tea and coffee go a long way to make people feel welcome and included.

Providing refreshments is also a really simple way of putting people at ease – sometimes the best conversations come from sitting around with a cup of tea and some cake.