Strong professional relationships are the foundation of any solid team. Whether you’re building the next tech unicorn or launching your own apparel line, building an environment for team bonding is critical to your company’s longevity. But team building frequently has a bad name. Too much trust falls and icebreakers have resulted in anything but engaged employees.
The good news? Team building can be fun, even if it seems cringeworthy or unproductive. When done well, it can energize your team, minimize conflict, and even enhance collaboration.
This article examines 10 research-proven activities that have been shown to help teams develop for the better and get on the same page as one another.
Why Team Building Matters
Team-building is so much more than breaking bread together at lunch or attending the annual retreat. It’s about better communication, collaboration, and workplace unity.
Here’s why it’s essential for your team’s success:
- Drives Productivity: Good teamwork allows for quicker problem-solving and increased productivity.
- Boosts Morale: Workers who have healthy working relationships are generally happier and more involved.
- Promotes Collaboration: When a team is in sync, it can face and overcome challenges more efficiently, avoiding conflicts that aren’t worth the drama.
- Keeps Talent: People are more likely to remain at a place of employment when they feel potentially valued and are part of the fabric.
Team Building Exercises That Build Effective Teams
The Problem-Solving Challenge
How it works: Give your team a real-world problem from your industry. Ask them to solve problems with one another.
Why it’s impactful:
- Fosters creativity and innovation.
- Beneficial for enhancing decision making.
Tip: Break into small groups to make everyone feel heard.
Escape Room Adventure
How it works: Bring your team to an escape room to test how you work together under pressure to solve puzzles — and “escape” a room — within a certain time frame.
Why it’s impactful:
- Develops teamwork in high-pressure situations.
- Possesses leadership and problem-solving skills.
Tip: After, debrief to review the successes and what could be better.
Role Reversal
How it works: Members of a team swap roles for a day. For instance, marketers can shadow customer service reps, and engineers can learn from project managers.
Why it’s impactful:
- Develops an understanding for the responsibilities of colleagues.
- Promotes cross-functional experience flow.
Tip: Be deliberate about matching team members up strategically in order to maximize learning.
Volunteer for a Good Cause
How it works: Plan a team volunteer day for a local charity, park cleanup, or food bank shift.
Why it’s impactful:
- Establishes emotional connections by doing meaningful work.
- You get the team bonding and morale building that happens outside of the office.
Tip: Poll your team for a cause that everyone is eager to support.
Two Truths and a Lie
How it works: Every member of the team posts three facts about themself (two true, one false). The other members of the team guess the lie.
Why it’s impactful:
- Encourages teammates to build camaraderie.
- Facilitates a chill and fun culture.
Tip: Keep it light and steer clear of anything overly personal.
Office Olympics
How it works: Plan a suite of “Olympic” challenges specific to your workplace — desk-chair racing or paper-airplane making, anyone?
Why it’s impactful:
- Increases morale and adds fun to the office.
- Promotes good-natured competition.
Tip: Provide a small prize to boost motivation.
Team Lunch with a Twist
How it works: Host a potluck with a theme (e.g., around the world) where everyone brings a dish to share.
Why it’s impactful:
- Promotes team members to express themselves through food.
- Sparks informal conversations that build relationships.
Tip: Use this as a chance to celebrate achievements or finish projects.
The Marshmallow Challenge
How it works: Split the group into smaller teams and supply each with 20 sticks of spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow. The goal: build the tallest structure that will support the marshmallow.
Why it’s impactful:
- Fosters teamwork and critical thinking.
- Illustrates the significance of preparation and flexibility.
Tip: Keep the competition fun and light so you aren’t introducing stress into your routine.
Story Circles
How it works: Everyone sits in a circle and each person adds a sentence to piece together a team story.
Why it’s impactful:
- Enhances listening and cooperation abilities.
- Promotes creativity in a group dynamic.
Pro Tip: Add something related to your company or industry. If possible and on-brand, show yourself in a video so your personality shines through!
Feedback Swap
How it works: Split your team into pairs, and encourage them to give one another positive and constructive feedback in a safe environment.
Why it’s impactful:
- Improves relationships and develops communication skills.
- Promotes an open culture and self-learning.
Pro Tip: Have a model for how the team can give input that’s thoughtful and actionable.
How to Pick the Perfect Team Building Activity
Not everything will work with every team. Here are some things to think about as you pick the best options for your group:
- Team Size: Large teams might enjoy Office Olympics or volunteering, while smaller teams may benefit from Problem-Solving Challenges or Story Circles.
- Team Dynamics: Reflect on the relationships within your team. Newly formed groups might appreciate icebreakers like Two Truths and a Lie.
- Environment: Remote teams can still join virtual icebreakers, like internet escape rooms or video-based feedback swaps.
- Goals: Determine what you’d like to achieve. Is it for conflict resolution, to stimulate creativity, or just to have a good time? Match activities to your objective.
Strengthen Your Team, Get a Happy Team Now
When done thoughtfully, team building exercises are much more than just fun and games. They’re a valuable investment in your team’s success. By finding ways to connect, solve problems, and laugh together, you will set the stage for a workplace in which collaboration reigns and professional relationships deepen.
Consider experimenting with one of the following exercises at your next team meeting or retreat. Then, build on it to establish a culture of mutual benefit and teamwork that powers long-term success.
