Team building tends to get a bad reputation. People often perceive it as something forced and, sometimes, it can be. Most of us dread “going around the table and introducing ourselves” to a new group of people and would instead prefer a more natural way to get to know others. Team members may also show reluctance to take part in mandatory activities. But once you hit the sweet spot where you plan team-building activities that create real bonds without even pressuring anyone to participate, they can work wonders.
For better or for worse, our coworkers are people we spend hours with every day, so we might as well make those relationships as pleasant as possible. Some connections between colleagues form naturally, while others could use a bit of an extra nudge, and this is where team-building activities for work can be effective. The sky’s the limit when it comes to strengthening coworker camaraderie – think anything from casual coffee breaks and chats by the water cooler to exciting games and even full-on weekend getaways.
Of course, the goal is not to befriend everyone at work. When we create stronger bonds between team members, however, we see improved cooperation, increased productivity, and overall greater job satisfaction. Needless to say, going to work also becomes much more enjoyable when you get along with your colleagues.
What is team building and when should you do it?
We talk about team building when we organize events or activities that have the goal of bringing people together. They are meant to enhance social relations within the group and create a sense of belonging that can translate into smoother communication and collaboration in the long run. To put it simply, good team-building activities are supposed to turn a bunch of individuals into a cohesive team.
How often should you organize these activities? Ideally, they should be done regularly. We’re not saying that you’re supposed to plan monthly trips abroad for a team of 30 because that’s just not feasible. But smaller, frequent office team-building activities should definitely be on the agenda.
Some managers may underestimate the efficiency of strong team bonds. They tend to organize team-building activities when it’s too late and there’s already a conflict growing between members. And while these may help with conflict resolution, they can offer so much more than a one-off band-aid.
So now that we know how beneficial team bonding activities can be, let’s look at some of our favorites in action.
In-office team building
- Get lunch together
One of the most underrated bonding experiences out there is eating together. Lunch breaks automatically make everyone feel more relaxed and at ease even if you’re still physically in the office. It’s also perfect for colleagues who aren’t yet comfortable joining out-of-office activities but want to feel included. Plus, you’ll have conversation starters from the get-go because let’s face it – everyone enjoys (talking about) food. So next time you’re racking your brain trying to come up with a fun team-building activity, start with the basics and get lunch together. Or, even better, start a lunch club at work. It may be exactly what you need to connect better with your team.
- Scavenger hunt
Those with a competitive spirit will particularly enjoy this good old classic. Finding clues, solving riddles, and completing challenges together will have your team working as a well-oiled machine. The good thing about scavenger hunts is that you can get really creative organizing them – for example, if a holiday is coming up, you can hide holiday-themed items around the office. But hunting for unusual items, art or history-related elements can also engage everyone. Or, you can make an entire hunt based on jokes and memes as clues if you know your team appreciates humor. Oh, and don’t forget to have a prize ready for the winners!
- Company trivia
Simulating a fun quiz night in the office is yet another excellent way for people to reveal more of their strengths while having a great time. You won’t necessarily need to make the questions company-related, either. The more diverse the quiz topics, the more you’ll learn about the hidden talents and skills of your colleagues. You’ll see who’s a history or sports buff, who’s better versed in music and pop culture and may discover you have things in common that you didn’t know about before.
Empowering remote teams
At first glance, team building may seem more challenging for geographically scattered teams, but regular check-ins and online coffee breaks sprinkled with some fun games can work like a charm. And if you’re wondering if it’s even worth the effort, wonder no more – Gallup found that virtual team-building activities improve employee performance and can lead to as much as 42% lower absenteeism. So let’s see how you can make those online meetups more engaging.
- Two truths, one lie
Two truths, one lie is popular for a reason – you can play it virtually anywhere and with anyone. You won’t even need to plan for it or prepare any equipment, so it’s perfect for a remote team. People will take turns sharing two truths and one lie about themselves, leaving the rest to guess which is which. It works well for teams with new hires but also for groups that know each other fairly well because there’s always something extra that you can learn about even your closest colleagues. How else would you find out that your manager is good at juggling or that the graphic designer wanted to be a mailman growing up?
- Desert island
The Office (US) fans will probably be among the first to recognize this game. Similarly to Jim’s “three books on a desert island” proposal, you can ask your team to name three books, movies, foods, or anything else they would like to have with them on a desert island. You’ll see that it’s just a more fun and interactive way to find out about your coworkers’ favorite things. You can also encourage people to give arguments for their choices, learning even more about their priorities and preferences.
- Best and worst
This one is another quick and easy game that can get people talking and sharing little-known facts about themselves. You can come up with various questions relating to best and worst experiences, then have each member answer both. Examples could be anything from ‘What is the best and worst birthday gift you ever received?’ to ‘What is your favorite and least favorite recipe?’
Take team building outside
Things become more interesting when you organize events outside the confines of the office. This is where you truly get to know your team as people and not just coworkers. You remove the professional environment from the equation and everyone loosens up more, showing different sides of them, and forming genuine connections.
- Escape room
If you’re looking for something fun and challenging for your next team outing, then escape rooms are it. You’ll not only have a memorable time there, but you’ll also work on skills any strong team should have. Time management is the first thing that comes to mind, as you’ll have a limited amount of time at your disposal to solve all the puzzles and “escape”. Problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and efficient communication will be other assets you’ll use and improve as a team. Combine all of these and you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable afternoon bonding with your coworkers.
- Karaoke
Not every team outing should be about strengthening teamwork or improving a particular skill; sometimes it’s best to just relax and have a blast. Karaoke is a fantastic idea when you want to bond with your team and relieve some stress by singing popular hits. You may be surprised to find out that your normally shy colleague can hit Whitney Houston’s high notes or how well the entire team can harmonize to Michael Jackson’s Earth Song. Do this on a Friday evening and you’ll be almost excited to get back to work on the following Monday just so you can reminisce on the fun memories you created together.
- Hikes and weekend trips
Hikes and weekend trips may be more difficult to plan because we’re no longer talking about just 2 or 3 hours of fun somewhere near the office. You’ll need to consider things like location, budget, food, transportation, and the like. Still, given the opportunity, you should definitely give it a go – you’ll have even more ways to bond over things outside of work and potentially come back as a more tight-knit crew. Not to mention that you’ll admire scenic natural sights and discover wonderful new places while you’re at it.
Regardless of which activity you end up choosing for your next team building, you’re bound to come out of it as a more close-knit group. One key takeaway is to make sure everyone is on board, and no one feels pressured to participate. This way, you can be certain that the people involved have the same goal: creating meaningful connections and bonding over enjoyable experiences.
