Rethinking Team Building Activities and Training

Cohesive Teams

In recent times, there has been an increased demand for team bonding activities. Corporations understand that more cohesive teams create better performance outcomes than their parts. As cliché as it seems, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go farther, go together.” That is true, but how does the team leader build a more cohesive team?

Team Building Activities and Games

Leaders turn to team bonding activities, as much as resources such as time and budget allow for. These days activities are typically outsourced to companies who organise events across many creative and diverse themes, ranging from playing music together to virtual reality games, escape rooms, treasure quests, amazing race, pottery, art, cooking, and more.

Do These Work?  

Yes, it helps that members are taken away from their usual work environment and given time to get to interact and get know each other better.  However, it takes way more than an hour or two’s session together at play; ultimately, it requires a more regular and concerted effort from the team to make things work.

What are the Characteristics of a Winning Team?

This can be answered with several questions in mind. Are there clear shared and measurable goals of what are to be achieved? Is there open effective communication and feedback? Is there mutual respect of each other? How about the level of team trust, innovation and risk taking? 

Customized Training Programmes

Increasingly, corporations are also looking towards customizing training workshops and programs that suit the individuals' and team’s learning styles.  These are investments into critical core skills for active listening, giving feedback, conflict resolution, and creative collaboration to name a few, to build the foundations for stronger interpersonal skills to foster a more collaborative work culture. Look for programs that incorporate facilitation, interactive games, role plays, and reflection, so team members can have fun whilst they learn.

Conclusion

Investing in team building is not a trend; it is a strategic and worthwhile endeavour to create high-performing teams that can adapt in a fast-changing world.

#Team building Activities; Leadership #Workplace Coaching #Adult Learning

Team Building and Smarter Collaboration