So many corporate team building activities to choose from, so much on your to-do list. Hopefully, I can help you sort through the process and narrow down your choices. Any short list is arbitrary, but below are some fun and productive events worth considering.
Adventure Getaways
Does your team thrive on adventure? It may not, and there are great options for teams that don’t want to go outside. But for groups that get excited at the mere thought of a field trip with challenges, take a look at this video on zip-lining in Scotland. There are ropes course programs worldwide. This video looks like fun for companies near the UK. Adventure getaways are trust building exercises. They require relying on your teammates to not only succeed, but to be safe. These exciting programs may not tackle specific company goals or training objectives. But they do improve camaraderie, trust and communication, all important building blocks for successful teams.
Team Building Games In Your Office
Here’s a great list of corporate team building games that can be led by you or one of your colleagues. These are great warm-ups for weekly meetings, or capstone exercises at the end of a busy week. Yes, I know what you’re thinking…“aargghh…these exercises make us uncomfortable…they’re dumb.” But I’m here to tell you they can be great. The number one rule of team building; don’t force people into uncomfortable situations. Allow small groups to do these activities at their own pace and in their own style. Each game has different emphasis and creates conversation and collaboration that’s worth having.
Corporate Team Building Activities With Music
Several years ago, I stumbled upon this concept of corporate team building through song®. Creative inspiration comes from observing and being a part of what others are doing. My concept grew out of educational programs I was invited to do – I made a connection to corporate team building and several years later we have a full fledged group of programs around music, story, leadership and teamwork. I am biased, but I’m passionate in my belief that music engages groups in powerful, yet disarming ways that invite learning and collaboration.
Competition
I’d never thought much about the role of competition in team building until I became a team building facilitator. I quickly noticed that even in a musical environment, people like competition. Competition draws us in, it engages our emotions and makes us care about an outcome. Within reason, you should consider incorporating competition into your work-life activities as a way of ongoing team building. Here’s one example. Let’s say you’re a real estate company. Every week, when new listings come on the market, make a game of sharing the new listings with your agents without letting them see the prices. Have each agent guess the price for every new listing. You can offer small prizes or incentives for the person with the most accurate guesses.
Outdoor adventure, indoor doit-yourself games, music and competition are all valid corporate team building activities that yield ROI. Choose one now and save the others for next time.