Team-Building Activities for Workplaces

Effective team-building activities for workplaces are fantastic opportunities for creating a fun work environment. However, they go deeper than that. These activities boost empathy and encourage participants to look at situations from others’ perspectives. As a result, they help build relationships between workers who may not interact much otherwise.

Most importantly, team-building exercises allow participants to take risks in a team environment. While employees like these activities overall, managers and those tasked with putting them together are less enthusiastic. After all, how do you engage large groups in 30 minutes? It is possible. Your questions – answered!

First Things First: Why Are You Suggesting Team Building Games?

What is it that you want to achieve?

• Do you want to identify the team member with the leadership qualities and convince the rest of the team to join you?
• Are you looking for ways to build trust and encourage collaboration?
• Is it time for a break, and is an icebreaker game an excellent fun option?

These are just some of the reasons for implementing team-building exercises. Most managers look for ways to deal with a team’s shortcomings, whether leadership, risk-taking, or cohesion. If you want to foster, there is likely an excellent activity. As a general rule of thumb, hands-on activities are better than on-screen games.

While there are plenty of apps, remember that you want workers to step away from the computer and interact in person. This is particularly important when your teams have members of various generations.

Next: Where Should the Team Building Exercise Take Place?

After you have narrowed down the goal, it is time to decide where to go. Team-building activities for small groups typically take place at the workplace, in the cafeteria, or the park down the street. Large groups are a bit trickier, and it may be necessary to take the team somewhere where you can participate in engaging team-building activities. Some business owners book retreats for their teams or take them to hosted activities like Escape Rooms. However, these expenses are not always necessary.

A Word on Virtual Team Building Options

While effective team-building activities for workplaces are best in person, you can also meet the needs of remote-working employees or team members from different locations. For most companies, virtual team-building centers on creating camaraderie and helping people get to know each other.

A favorite is the Fact Scavenger Hunt, which creates small teams with a common goal. Each team receives the name of an obscure marine animal. They now have 15 to 20 minutes to research facts and put together a presentation. They have complete freedom whether the presentation is spoken word, graphics, or something else. Collaboration is a key element of this activity.

Another fun activity is the story creation. Small teams form and are given specific scenarios. Each team member takes turns adding a sentence to the story. Here, you achieve positive interactions between workers who do not typically meet. Who knows, you might even find new small business sales strategies this way! Participants learn to listen intently and help the team achieve a common goal.

Top-rated Activities for Small Teams

Each team should have between five and ten participants for these activities. Most exercises last about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the number of team members participating. Allow enough time if things run a little long. You do not want to rush team-building activities.

• Two Truths and a Lie. The goal is to help new employees get to know each other and the already-established members of the team. Participants take turns telling two truths and one lie about themselves. Listeners guess which one is true or false. This game routinely gets people talking, and you cannot help but get to know those around you.
• Office Trivia. Introduce new workers to what makes the business hum along. Which is the office coffee brand? Where do you get the best bagels around the workplace? Consider adding “what if” questions that help participants think through scenarios. To start the game, pose a question to the team and allow members to brainstorm responses. Focus on questions that help new team members learn office policies, the people's personalities, and what is around the office.
• Show And Tell. Give each employee a time to shine. Each participant gets to share a moment in time they are proud of. This should be a personal achievement that means a lot to the individual. Ask for participants to bring something from home that symbolizes this moment in time. This exercise is ideal for new team members because it allows them to introduce themselves in a positive way to others.
• Deserted Island Trivia. Strengthen team cohesion by having participants stand in a circle and explain the one item they would bring to a deserted island and why. It helps teams build on the individuality of members and learn about hidden strengths. It also helps you, the manager, learn about the individual leadership qualities and innovation. You can repeat this game with different scenarios, such as visiting the moon, going spelunking, or assisting the hobbits as part of the fellowship of the ring (a little something for the LOTR fans).
• Survival. This activity sounds a lot like Deserted Island Trivia, but it requires the whole team to work together on solutions for a challenging situation. Examples might include participating in the Iditarod, wilderness survival, or waking up in Jurassic Park. In addition to communication and innovation, participants have to set short—and long-term goals and then define the steps to achieve them.
• Expertise Exchange. Everyone has hobbies that can turn into areas of expertise. Set a date for every team member to take the stage for two minutes and share a hobby-related insight. The short time forces individuals to select the most critical elements. The other participants strengthened their listening skills. And, because everyone has a turn, team members get to know each other better. Similarly, this may be the first time that someone has spoken publicly, which is a challenge in itself.

While this last set of activities encourages creative problem-solving skills, some will take participants out of their comfort zones. These are particularly tough for introverted workers but well worth the trouble.

• The Human Knot. Team members join hands with those who stand opposite them. Next, this human knot must be untangled without letting go and only using voice commands. Who stands out in giving directions? Who has a challenging time taking them? Who lacks the patience to work together? This game reveals a lot about the team and may offer insights for needed team-building exercises in the future.
• The Birth Month Line. Team members stand in a random line. The goal is to have them stand in the order of their birth months. The twist is that speaking and the use of numbers are not allowed. Give teams a short time limit to have everyone jump in quickly and work on a solution. This game emphasizes innovative problem-solving skills.
• The Sticky Note Game. Each participant is given the name of an office item, such as a stapler, printer, or pencil. These names are written on sticky notes placed on their backs. Participants now approach each other, asking three yes or no questions to determine what they are. This game builds collaboration and coaxes introverted team members to approach others. It also encourages participants to think carefully about the most relevant questions to ask.
• Translation. Separate team members into pairs. Pay close attention to pairing up workers who do not typically interact. Display a painting or other work of art and ask one person to explain in 60 seconds what they love and hate about the artwork. After 60 seconds, the other person summarizes the statements into one sentence, explaining what is important to the other worker. Keep it non-political!
• Charades. Each team receives a set of terms or ideas that one person acts out, and the others guess. Everyone gets a turn, even the introvert who typically skips these activities. In addition to having fun, this team-building game emphasizes critical thinking, non-verbal communication, and the ability to pay attention for longer periods of time.

A Word on Inclusion, the Use of Trust Falls, and Blindfolds

There used to be a time when building trust was done with the trust fall. It is physically dangerous and makes everyone uncomfortable. And, for the team members who may be a bit huskier, this game could lead to teasing. Another caveat involves the use of blindfolds. While they were once considered a great way to build team reliance, they have come into disfavor because they can trigger traumatic memories.

Inclusion can be challenging when you have a diverse team. Hesitation to participate in team-building exercises may go beyond introverted personalities and may have to do with cultural boundaries or disabilities. Be aware of what could cause team members to hesitate, and foster inclusion by designing activities that accommodate all participants and treat cultural differences respectfully.

Bring in the Props for Medium-sized to Larger Teams

Sometimes, you will not be able to build a cozy atmosphere with smaller teams. When working with large groups of participants, find ways to have the teams work together and communicate while having fun. You can still determine leadership abilities and similar traits. Props are excellent tools for this effort.

• Jenga. Did you know that you can get large Jenga blocks for outdoor play? Bring those to the office, set up the stack, and have the team members take turns. Those not playing shout-out suggestions to prevent the stack from falling. You can play this game with two teams or one. The latter is the activity that gets everyone involved in helping the person whose turn it is to do well.
• Newspaper Towers. Each team gets a specific number of newspapers. The goal is to build the largest freestanding tower with little more than shaping the paper and using Scotch tape. Communication is critical here because each team has to decide from the onset how to use their allotted materials. Shield teams from one another to encourage innovation. You do not want one team to copy the other one.
• Collaborative Murals. Each team receives various art supplies and large pieces of butcher paper. Since you can buy these as rolls, you can make the murals as large as you like. Each team now decides on a team mascot, and then the participants work together to create it with the art supplies. Team building through art is a tried and true activity focusing on creativity and communication. It also underscores each individual’s expression of a common topic.
• Trust Cards. Each team receives several index cards. Give the teams a writing prompt, such as “Building trust requires . . .” Team members will now add the attitudes they believe are instrumental in building trust. Later, combine what the teams have come up with and look for common ground. Next, discuss how to develop the attitudes that create trust.
• Speed Introduction. This game takes its cue from speed dating events. Participants introduce themselves by moving from table to table. They have two minutes to mention their name, job title, and what makes them good at their work. After the two minutes, the participant moves on to the next table. When the first team is done, they get to take a seat at the table and wait for the second team to introduce themselves. Keeping it short hones communication skills. Also, because participants have to repeat their introduction several times, they must find ways to keep it interesting.

Make Team-building an Ongoing Activity

Team-building exercises during working hours are great to hone in on specific goals. However, you can allow ongoing activities that boost communication, interpersonal skills, and employee engagement. For example, you might institute a book club focusing on well-known business-related books. Participation is voluntary. Members read assigned chapters and then meet online or in-person to discuss them. Other options would be the development of a puzzle game or exercise club. Just remember that you need to provide the location and access.

By the way, did you know that volunteerism is another team builder? You need leaders, followers, instructions, and excellent communication. Your company may have already identified a local charity or organization it wants to support. Now, involve your team members to volunteer their time and skills to help beautify locations, set up libraries, or do whatever is relevant to your cause.

When Should Team-building Activities Take Place?

It is tempting to see team-building exercises as add-ons. They are not. Instead, they can be instrumental in setting the tone for specific work events. For example, trust-building exercises work well during the onboarding process when you are welcoming several new team members. Trainees bond over these games and will remain close once they enter existing teams.

Start team meetings with exercises that focus on problem-solving and communication. Help employees relax between projects or meetings with artistic activities. These activities boost creativity, which will come in handy for the next meeting or project. Incorporating these activities into the workday makes the most sense.

The goal here is consistency. You should incorporate team-building activities into the workday regularly. Some managers have found that scheduling them makes the most sense and creates the fewest interruptions.

By the way, lunchtime is never a good choice for holding team-building exercises. Workers need the time during lunch to step away from work, and even if you play games, it does not allow employees to go for walks, read a book, or do something they enjoy individually.

Addressing the Team-building Exercise Skeptics

Before you can implement effective team-building activities for workplaces at your location, you need to get the buy-in from your management team. Some may view these activities as a waste of time. Others are concerned that the activities are so cringe-worthy that they will lead to embarrassment and little else.

To get the buy-in, consider three critical tactics.

1. Activities must be inexpensive. One significant problem the critics mention is the cost some companies have incurred for these activities. You do not have to rent out Escape Rooms or book weekend retreats. Also, you do not have to fly out workers from other locations. Instead, work with what you have and keep it inexpensive.
2. Keep it simple. Determine what you want to accomplish and then keep the activities simple. To help team members learn to communicate better, you do not need extensive (and expensive) props. Some props are inexpensive and probably already in the supply closet.
3. Make it relevant. Which quality do you think your teams are lacking right now? Which one do you want to develop? Choose one problem area and then select team-building activities accordingly. If you can show improvement data, you will win over the skeptics.

However, remember that there are some workplaces where team-building is not an issue. Instead, individuals work alone and complete projects without the assistance or input of others. Here, the skeptics may be correct in saying that these activities are not useful. Even so, they could still contribute to a positive work environment.

I hope we have piqued your interest in getting your teams to the next level of excellence. There is never a wrong time to start these activities. While it may take a little time for everyone to feel comfortable with the concept of team-building exercises, they will look forward to them soon. Sign up for more business improvement email messages from our team today!

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