Team building is much more than just a day of fun for employees. First introduced in the 1980s, this approach is one of your best strategic opportunities to strengthen the bonds between every member of your team.
You can create an environment where employees feel motivated, connected, supported and inspired. All you have to do is plan your team-building day carefully.
How to choose the right team-building activities?
Every company faces different challenges. That’s why, from one year to the next, it’s best to listen. Find out what have been the most delicate or recurring situations to resolve over the last six to twelve months among staff, between teams, and even between managers.
Remember that team building is always aimed at strengthening ties between employees, but also at improving those at all levels of the hierarchy.
Problems frequently encountered are attributable to :
- Stress ;
- Demobilization as a result of working in silos;
- Poor communication ;
- Conflicting personalities;
- Bad work habits;
- Resistance to change;
- Lack of motivation or sense of belonging;
- Etc.
Strong staff relations are the foundation of productivity and collaboration.
So all you need to do is assess the objective(s) and choose the activities accordingly. Then, make sure you :
- Reserve the location and room with the required equipment;
- Arrange for breaks and snacks, as well as meals.
Leadership games: strategies for fostering collaboration
Game type: Role-playing games, simulations and team challenges can encourage creativity, trust and mutual respect.
Leadership games are powerful tools for fostering collaboration and communication within a team.
By choosing activities that emphasize problem-solving and decision-making. You can help your employees develop essential skills while strengthening the bonds between them.
Experiential day: learning in the field
Type of activity: outdoor challenges, team-building games and crisis simulations
Experiential activities offer a hands-on approach to team development. By putting your employees in real-life situations that require collaboration and problem-solving, you can foster meaningful and lasting learning.
This type of day helps everyone to get to know each other better, build mutual trust and improve their ability to work together effectively.
Sports, cultural, artistic or creative activities
Type of activity: multiple activities to highlight diversity and showcase individual talents
Sports, cultural, artistic or creative activities offer a unique opportunity to celebrate diversity within your team. By offering a wide range of activities, you can encourage team members to share their passions, talents and personal interests.
Consider organizing this type of team building for a new team, or if there have been several recent changes, personality conflicts or certain communication difficulties. Outdoors, without the context of work, it’s easier to drop the professional mask.
Team Building as a stress management tool
If stress is your company’s biggest challenge, you should know that it generally is. However, if you make it the focal point of your team-building day, you’re demonstrating a corporate culture that focuses on the health and well-being of its employees.
Recharging batteries in a light, relaxed and fun environment is unexpected and welcome. Think of different stress management activities:
- Yoga, Pilates or other workshops;
- Humorist (laughter is great);
- Expert speaker;
- Trail walking ;
- Etc.
In short, beyond trends and the desire to constantly renew yourself during your next team building event, listen to the real needs of your teams. At the end of the day, it’s the relationships that staff have built that are important for the company’s future collaboration and productivity.
Don’t hesitate to call on one of our consultants. We can help you tailor your day to your expectations.
Happy planning!
