I’m sure we all remember the days of summer camp and elementary school where you would play games like tug a war and capture the flag. Not only were these games fun, but they helped us bond with our peers and taught us how to work as a team. Now, while some of us aren’t quite up for a game of capture the flag anymore, (though I know I’d still be 😉) the same idea can be applied to bonding with your colleagues. Team building activities are a great way to bring people closer, improve collaboration and identify strengths in individual members. That said, it is important to pick team building activities that are compatible with your team and their interests. Not sure where to start? Well, we have some suggestions for you of some team building activities that you can do during a meeting, during the workday or outside of the office.
During a Meeting
1) Compliment Circle
This exercise can be a great way to encourage team members to express appreciation for one another. Go around and have each person address the coworker to their right to ensure that everyone gets a chance to feel appreciated. It is also important to note that with compliments people can feel a little shy, so sometimes it's best for a leader or manager to start to get the ball rolling.
2) Show and Tell
Believe it or not, this elementary school activity can be a great exercise in the workplace. By allowing everyone to share something, team members have the opportunity to showcase their accomplishments. Seeing everyone else's “shows” can also get everyone up to date on what each team member is working on.
During the Workday
1) Put on a Contest
A little friendly competition can be a great way for team members to spend time together and bond over a common hobby. For example, you could host a bake-off where employees bring their best recipes and a team of judges picks their favorites (plus, who doesn’t love some sweet treats during the workday?).
2) Host a Lunch and Learn
Your team members probably have many hidden talents. What better way to bring everyone together than to learn a new skill as a team? Maybe one of your team members is passionate about yoga or is a pro knitter or can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under 30 seconds. Your team members can practice mentoring and giving presentations while also learning something new about their peers.
Outside of the Office
1) Volunteer Together
If your team is passionate about a certain cause or initiative, taking some time to do community service can be a great way to bring everyone together. Plus, it can feel great to make a positive impact on your community. For example, if your company is environmentally conscious you could work together to help plant some trees in your local area.
2) Start A Book Club
Select a book that everyone is interested in and have team members read it over a few weeks. Once everyone is done, schedule a time to sit and chat about it. Bring snacks for everyone to munch on too! You’ll spark interesting conversations and encourage colleagues to share ideas, stories and input. This can help to encourage collaboration amongst your team and allows them to have a shared experience outside of the workplace.
As you can see, team building really is just the simple act of creating a place where employees can work together and bond. By putting your team members in a situation where they are learning more about each other, they can better understand how each other operates, which overall improves teamwork.
Having said that, the success of your team building activity entirely depends on whether you are aligned with your specific team and their interests. It can be hard to find the right fit for team bonding exercises when there are so many great options. The good news is, we can help you decide! Here at STEPS, we offer small business HR and business management assistance and would be more than happy to help you develop strong team building activities that can help team members feel more connected to one another. Learn more about our services on our home page or send us a message with all your team building questions on our contact page.
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