Seven new work team-building exercises to try!

Some team-building ideas to add to your repertoire to help cultivate team morale and develop employees’ interpersonal skills

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Robert Half

Beyond tried-and-tested extracurricular activities – such as a group outing to a local sporting event – management should try new approaches that promote discussion and interaction in a fun way. Try these!

1. A game show

Use a popular game or quiz show formats such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire to share information and training messages. We recommend you split the staff into teams and stick to content employees can use in their everyday work – for a more informal (and, perhaps, fun) exercise you could include interesting facts about the employees (with permission, of course)!

2. Idea-sharing lunches

Casual food will always aid conversation; budget-depending, a caterer is a good option to handle food presentation and clean-up. A just as fun, but less expensive, the option could be a potluck lunch centred around a particular theme or cuisine. 

Informal gatherings are valuable during intense work periods. As well as a nice setting to share ideas, this can also be a way for staff to share relevant work insights and updates; just be sure to include time for light-hearted discussion as well.

3. A company away day

An off-site group event, with a mix of brainstorming and personal free time, can help inspire your team. This will also give everyone a break and the ability to come back to the office feeling refreshed and ready to work. Nice settings and experiences for strategic planning and professional development outside of the office could include renting a cabin in a nature park to encourage time outdoors for hiking and relaxation.

4. Flex your collective creativity

Team-building games often aim to improve participants’ problem-solving skills. One activity to try is called the ‘Game of Possibilities’. To play this, give a paperclip to groups of five-to -0 participants. It begins with one person from each group taking turns to demonstrate a way to use the paperclip that does not involve its intended purpose. Rules may include:
• The person demonstrating cannot speak.
• The person demonstrating must stand.
• The demonstration must be original.

Ideally, the participants will learn to create new uses for everyday objects and translate this into problem-solving skills which will help you all and motivate the team.

5. Yin and yang

If you’re looking to find ways to improve communication in the workplace and build team spirit, consider the ‘yin and yang’ as a possible team-building exercise.

First, ask team members to think of a common pair of items — for example, macaroni and cheese, yin and yang or jacket and tie. Have them write the name of each item on separate pieces of paper.

Tape one piece of paper to each participant’s back — making sure no one gets their suggestions. To deduce what’s taped there — and find their other half — participants mingle and ask each other yes/no questions. Of all the fun team-building activities on the list, this one probably takes the least amount of prep time so it’s especially suited to time-strapped team leaders.

6. Create an obstacle course to build trust

If the weather is good, head outdoors and build trust between your team in the great outdoors. Place obstacles around an open field; these could be cones or water bottles, for example. Divide your group in two and blindfold one team member. The team should use verbal guidance to aid the blindfolded person to navigate the obstacles without tipping over. (Take care that no one hurts themselves! A broken ankle is not great for team-building!)

7. Build a bridge together

If your staff are at all isolated – perhaps with some or all the team working flexibly from home – an activity can create a platform for colleagues to build relationships. Team-building that focuses on creating a structure, such as a bridge or a tower, out of household items tests and develops communication skills.

Divide your staff into teams of three or four and provide ‘construction materials’ such as string, newspaper, marshmallows, cardboard tubes and sticks. Choose a time limit for building and start the clock. The teams should communicate with each other to find a solution to the building problem you’ve set them.

Most important of all — have a vision (and fun)!

No matter which team-building exercises you choose, you should always have a clear goal you are trying to achieve. Make sure you involve your staff in the planning and allow them to provide the input as this will help everyone to feel more invested.

Over time you’ll discover which activities are best for your people and you can schedule them regularly into the team’s annual work schedule. This will become a fun way to work together away from desks and will help to create a culture which promotes retention.