“Team building has a bad rap.”
There has been a stigma surrounding the idea of “team building” because it was poorly conducted. But if conducted properly, it can result in high efficiency, and productivity and foster a positive work environment. I recently read an article published by Forbes, titled Why Team Building Is The Most Important Investment You’ll Make, by Brian Scudamore where he went into detail on how to make sure team building is done right.
“Effective team building means more engaged employees, which is good for company culture and boosting the bottom line. It can also be adventurous and enjoyable if you do it with a little pizzazz.”
With team-building activities, employees can get to know one another and cultivate a healthy company culture. This will then lead to better communication, productive employees, and efficient problem-solving. In order to create a positive team-building experience, the article mentioned some ground rules to follow when it comes to planning a worthwhile activity.
1. Don’t force the corporate stuff
“The most successful, memorable team-building events are ones that don’t feel like a day at the office.”
Team building aims to have employees enjoy themselves and not be shackled by corporate chains. This also reminds them that it is all right to let loose every once in a while and to just be you. Getting to know people from another department, sharing an experience, or working towards a common goal allows connections to happen more organically and far more effectively.
2. Ditch the company picnic
“Trying new things with your staff can generate good vibes among employees, which in turn benefits the business itself. Choosing something unique and slightly outside of people’s comfort zones can encourage them to come together in new ways.”
Having the same repetitive activity can be boring and discouraging to employees as it displays negligence from upper management. By trying out different activities, you are able to gauge interests and know what motivates employees the most.
3. It’s not a splurge — it’s an investment.
“This stuff isn’t fluff. You don’t have to bet the farm on fancy, expensive trips or experiences, but don’t skimp either. Be willing to make a real investment.”
It’s not about thinking about how much an event/activity would cost, but more importantly, how it affects your team’s motivation afterward. When employees have a positive experience, they are most likely to look forward to the next team-building event. This will boost morale, create job satisfaction, and retain employees to reduce the turnover rate.
4. Keep that positive energy going at the office
“Most team-building falls flat because it’s a one-time activity — done and then forgotten. It’s key to find ways to keep the excitement going. The challenge is creating opportunities for people to connect and interact in meaningful ways, outside of regular meetings or presentations.”
After a positive team-building experience, employees are most likely to keep that excitement going in the company. With that, they will not only look forward to the next team-building event but also provide recommendations which in turn will increase employee engagement and generate ideas for future team-building activities.
We hear the saying “happy wife, happy life,” so why not start with “happy employees, happy company”? In conclusion, when team building is done right, it can lead to more positive outcomes than negative ones. When you are willing to invest in your employees, your employees with stay with you for the long run as they will feel more seen and appreciated for their hard work and effort.
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Anthony Ventress is a senior technical and services executive in the medical device industry. An inclusive leader with a global cultural perspective, he is devoted to building authentic, long-term relationships. He leads with a never-failing positive attitude that helps companies turn problems into solutions, drive growth and revenue, and keep teams motivated and aligned.
