Building teams that can work well together is crucial to the success of all businesses, but building successful teams is a notoriously difficult thing to achieve. One way of facilitating that process is by using team building activities. Team building activities can help to improve communication, build trust, and identify strengths and weaknesses within a team, and this knowledge can then be used to build in improvements for the benefit of all. In this article, drawing on our 25+ years of experience in delivering tram building activities for hundreds of companies, large and small, we look at how can team building activities be used to create a more collaborative and productive work environment.
What are team building activities?
Put simply, team building activities are exercises that are designed to improve the working relationships between team members. They can take place indoors, outdoors, or online and range from simple activities to more complex challenges, depending on what the client wants to achieve. The goal of these activities, however, is the same: to build trust, improve communication, and create a more cohesive team that can work well together back at work. Take a look at some of our team building activities.
Why are team building activities important?
It might seem an obvious question, but put simply, team building activities are important because they can help to improve team performance. We have all seen how work can sometimes get in the way of effective teamwork – when things are too busy or difficult deadlines loom, for example. When team members trust and communicate with each other, they are more likely to work together effectively. Team building activities get people out of their normal working environment so that that can practice, and enjoy, working together. The outcomes from these activities can lead to increased productivity, better problem-solving skills and a more positive work environment.
Examples of Team Building Activities
Bright Vision Events specialises in team building activities. Here are some examples of our own team building activities that can help you and your business as part of your aim to build a high-performing team:
- The Escape Room: This activity involves teams working together to solve puzzles, one by one, so that they can escape from a room – our event is set during the 1930s era of Al Capone’s Chicago. This activity requires communication and problem-solving skills, and, above all, teamwork.
- The Labyrinth. This is a versatile team challenge where teams must work together to solve the physical and intellectual challenges that are presented to them. Co-operation is key.
- Masterpiece Creation. Teams must work collaboratively, with each team member being responsible for painting one part of a ‘masterpiece’, but all the pieces must fit together to deliver the finished item.
How can team building activities be used to build trust?
In our experience, building trust is at the heart of all team building activities. After all, if you don’t trust someone, why would you want to collaborate with them? Most importantly, perhaps, team building activities provide an opportunity for team members to get to know each other outside of the normal workplace, with most activities taking place at a venue away from work. This creates an environment which can help to break down barriers and build relationships.
Once the participants have relaxed a little and the activities have started, it becomes easier to identify strengths and weaknesses within a team, and this can help with spotting which team members might need a little more support. In turn, this can help to create a more balanced team that delivers improved results because everyone is working to their strengths.
Third, team building activities can help to create a sense of fun and enjoyment within the team. When team members are having fun together, they are more likely to feel positive about each other and the work they are doing.
How can team building activities be made inclusive?
In our experience, building trust is at the heart of all team building activities. After all, if you don’t trust someone, why would you want to collaborate with them? Most importantly, perhaps, team building activities provide an opportunity for team members to get to know each other outside of the normal workplace, with most activities taking place at a venue away from work. This creates an environment which can help to break down barriers and build relationships.
Once the participants have relaxed a little and the activities have started, it becomes easier to identify strengths and weaknesses within a team, and this can help with spotting which team members might need a little more support. In turn, this can help to create a more balanced team that delivers improved results because everyone is working to their strengths.
Third, team building activities can help to create a sense of fun and enjoyment within the team. When team members are having fun together, they are more likely to feel positive about each other and the work they are doing.
How can team building activities be made inclusive?
It is important to ensure that team building activities are inclusive and accessible to everyone. The key is ensuring that the tasks are enjoyable and that all can participate and play their part. This can be achieved by:
- Choosing activities that are suitable for all physical abilities.
- Avoiding activities that may be uncomfortable for some team members.
- Encouraging participation from all team members.
- Providing alternative activities for team members who may not want to participate in certain activities.
- Ensuring that all team members feel valued and included.
In our experience, team building activities can be a powerful tool for building trust and improving communication within a team. We have found that those companies that incorporate team building activities into their company culture create a more collaborative and productive work environment, as some of these testimonials show:
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