Labshares: Internal Talks that Build Skills, Connection, and Culture

Viget has run a weekly internal talk tradition called Labshares for over 25 years, where every employee — from interns to veterans — gives a 10-12 minute talk on any self-selected topic. The format closes their weekly all-hands meeting and serves three purposes: building public speaking skills through structured practice, fostering personal connections especially for remote team members, and reinforcing a culture of curiosity and learning. Key lessons learned include the importance of adding structure (time limits, required rehearsals, coaching) rather than lowering the bar when the tradition nearly failed. Alumni credit Labshares with lasting career benefits in public speaking confidence.