What do you think about escape rooms?
It seems like you can’t walk down a city block these days without seeing a sign for a “Secret Lab,” a “Haunted Library,” or a “Bank Heist” experience. They are everywhere. And naturally, they’ve made their way onto the corporate agenda.
So, are escape rooms good for team building?
The short answer is: Yes, they absolutely can be. But (and you knew there was a “but” coming, didn’t you?), they might not always be the best fit for every group or every goal.
Let’s break down what makes them work, where they might fall short, and how you can ensure your team gets the most out of the experience, or find something even better.
The Case for the Escape Room
First off, let’s give credit where credit is due. Escape rooms have become popular for a reason. They are immersive, different, and get people out of their comfort zones. Here is why they can be a hit:
1. Pressure Cooker Problem Solving
Business is hectic. Deadlines are tight. In an escape room, you have a literal clock ticking down on the wall. It forces your team to communicate efficiently. You don’t have time for long meetings or polite emails. You have to shout out clues, share information instantly, and make rapid-fire decisions.
It mimics the pressure of a project launch or a crisis management situation, but in a safe environment where the only consequence of failure is… well, staying locked in a room (figuratively speaking, of course).
2. Identifying Roles
I love watching team dynamics unfold. In a locked room, you see who the natural leaders are. You see who steps back to analyze the big picture. You see who gets into the weeds to fiddle with the combination locks.
It highlights individual strengths in real-time. Some team members are great at finding the puzzle pieces (the details). Others are great at figuring out how those pieces fit together (the strategy). Seeing this in action can be really valuable for a manager.
3. Shared Adrenaline
There is something about surviving a “zombie apocalypse” or “disarming a bomb” together that creates a bond. It’s a shared experience. And as I’ve mentioned before, shared experiences are the glue that holds a team together. When you high-five after unlocking that final door with three seconds to spare, that’s a genuine moment of connection.
Where the Escape Room Might Not Fit
Now, while I enjoy a good puzzle as much as the next guy, there are some limitations to consider before you book your next off-site.
1. The Size Issue
This is the big one. Most escape rooms are designed for small groups—usually 4 to 8 people.
If you have a department of 50 or a conference of 200, you have a logistical nightmare on your hands. You have to split people up into shifts or book multiple rooms at once. This means you lose the feeling of “one team.” Instead of a unified group sharing a single vision, you have fragmented pockets of people having completely different experiences.
2. The Stress Factor
Believe it or not, being locked in a small, windowless room isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. For some of your team members, this environment might induce anxiety or claustrophobia rather than excitement.
We want team building to challenge people, sure. But we want it to be inclusive. We want everyone to feel comfortable participating and having fun.+1
If even one person is silently panicking in the corner, you haven’t built a team; you’ve alienated a colleague.
3. One and Done
Once you solve the puzzle, the magic is gone. You can’t really go back and redo the same room. The replay value is low.
It’s a fun afternoon, but does it leave you with a lasting artifact? Does it give you something you can take back to the office to remind you of your success?
Usually, you just get a blurry photo holding a sign that says “We Escaped!”
A Musical Alternative: Breaking Down Walls Instead of Locking Doors
If you like the idea of high energy, collaboration, and problem-solving, but you want to avoid the claustrophobia and logistical headaches, I have a suggestion. Why not try building a song instead of escaping a room? I know, I know. I’m the “music guy.” But hear me out.
Songwriting programs offer many of the same benefits as escape rooms, but they scale up perfectly for any size group, whether you have 10 people or 1,000.
1. Creative Problem Solving
Just like a puzzle, writing a song requires solving problems. You have a blank page. You have a theme. You have to make the lyrics fit the rhythm. You have to make the message rhyme (or at least flow!).
It challenges your brain, but it taps into creativity rather than just logic. It helps people tap into their creative abilities to become more innovative. And unlike a puzzle with only one right answer, a song allows for endless possibilities.
2. Emotional Connection
Escape rooms are intellectual. Music is emotional. Music brings a powerful blend of intellect and emotion, which is highly motivating and engaging.
When your team writes a song together about their work, their challenges, and their triumphs, they aren’t just unlocking a box. They are unlocking their story. They are creating a narrative. And that narrative sticks with them long after the event is over.
3. A Lasting Takeaway
Here is the best part. When you finish an escape room, you walk away. When you finish a songwriting program, you walk away with a recording of your song. You have an anthem. Something you can listen to in the car, play at the next company meeting, or use to onboard new hires. It’s a tangible ROI, or as I like to call it, ROInspiration®.
So, What’s the Verdict?
If you have a small, puzzle-loving group and you want a quick jolt of adrenaline, an escape room is a solid choice. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it breaks the routine. But if you want to bring a whole department together?
If you want to spark true innovation? If you want an inclusive activity where no one gets left behind in a dark room? Then you might want to consider unlocking your team’s creativity through music.
Breaking out of a locked room is a relief. But breaking into song? That’s a celebration. Ready to see what your team sounds like? Contact us today to learn how we can bring the power of song to your next event.