According to Harvard Business Review, taking regular breaks during the workday can significantly improve both well-being and performance. In a world that often celebrates nonstop hustle, we’ve found that pressing pause—with purpose—can be one of the smartest things a team can do. Enter: our very own Top 10 List tradition.
Every office has its thing. Some have perfectly curated snack drawers; others swear by their ping pong tournaments or weekly trivia nights. But us? We have the Top 10 List. And let me tell you, it’s become a beloved staple of our workplace culture.
Like most great traditions, this one started casually and completely unplanned.
It all started with baby names, most specifically, the top 50 most popular baby names of the last decade. What started as a casual conversation quickly turned into a multi-day endeavor filled with debates, dramatic guesses, and lots of shouting “HOW is ‘Liam’ still number one?!”
From there, we realized we could turn this into a regular thing. We break out a list for office parties, holiday celebrations, or just as a much-needed midday brain break. It’s easy, fun, and slightly addictive.
How to Find the Perfect List (Without Starting a Riot)
Finding the right Top 10 list is both an art and a science. Start with a simple Google search, but here’s the key: use a reputable source. Trust me, you do not want to present a list of the “Top 10 Action Movies” only to find out it came from some random blog no one’s heard of. Your coworkers will let you know—loudly.
If you’re going for movies, stick to IMDb or Letterboxd. For Music, try Billboard or Rolling Stone. Sports? ESPN is your best bet. Our team tends to lean into pop culture lists (movies, music, celebrity moments) especially when they tie into what’s going on in the world.
During our Halloween party, we tackled “Top 10 Best Horror Movies of All Time.” Around the Super Bowl, we tried “Top 10 Most Viewed Super Bowl Halftime Shows.” And the week after the Oscars the team tried to guess the “Top 10 Highest Grossing Oscar Best Picture Winners.”
How to Play (and Keep It from Descending into Chaos)
Once you’ve found your list, setting up the game is easy. All you need is a whiteboard (or a virtual one, thank you Zoom). Label it with your topic and number 1-10.
Explain the theme to the team, and let the guessing begin!
Pro tip: If you have more than five or six people, establish a hand-raising rule. Otherwise, things get loud fast and is very likely that someone will yell “I SAID THAT ALREADY.” Spare yourself.
Depending on how tricky your topic is, you might want to have a few hints in your back pocket. A cryptic clue or two can help keep the momentum going without giving everything away.
Real Testimonials from Real People
The Top 10 has become so much more than just a game. It’s a team-building moment, a stress reliever, and yes, a solid reason to shout across the office without anyone getting mad.
Here are a few real thoughts from our team:
“Its fun brain break from daily work to solve the puzzle as a team!” – Lindsay Muncy, Designer
“I had never heard of Top 10 until I started working here. I love that it lets us be competitive and explore fun topics for a brain break at work.” – Savannah, Copywriter (and resident expert in brain breaks)
“A super simple, but always, effective way to bring up the mood.” – Rita Cao, Project Manager
Three Years Strong
This little tradition has been going strong for over three years now. It’s become one of those things we all look forward to. Something to improve the vibe and helps us reconnect, even if just for ten minutes. All it takes is a list, a whiteboard, and some friendly competition. If you’re looking for a way to bring your team together, spark some fun, and take a breather from the usual grind, we highly recommend giving it a try.
Warning: once you start, you may never want to stop.
