Employee engagement soars when employees participate in team building activities. Intentional team building time strengthens trust, communication, and conflict resolution. Which, in turn, helps organizations function more collaboratively and productively. No matter your industry, team structure, or number of remote employees- team building should always be a part of your employee engagement strategy.
Just imagine a sports team, say football. Enhanced communication and trust off the field improve how players work together and perform on the field. When individuals feel heard, supported, and valued by their peers, they perform at a higher level- individually and as a team. Workplaces are pretty similar. The more time individual team members get to connect, the better they perform together.
How team building impacts employee engagement
Team building isn’t just about fun activities; it is essential to improving employee engagement. Think of it as the playbook for creating a positive employee experience that impacts engagement levels. When teams collaborate seamlessly, trust is built, fostering a sense of belonging that builds connection and engagement. It’s akin to a successful sports team where players know their roles, communicate effectively, and support each other.
In the workplace, successful team-building activities break down silos, encouraging collaboration, cooperation, innovation, and efficiency, which are some of the key drivers of employee engagement. These shared experiences create an environment where individuals feel valued and supported by their peers.
Team building is more than just a morale booster; it’s an employee engagement strategy that enhances the workplace experience, positively impacting the commitment to collective success. Here are five ways team-building activities benefit employee engagement:
Forms relationships and builds trust
Team-building activities are crucial in building workplace relationships and fostering trust among team members. These activities serve as the bonding agent that helps people connect. By sharing experiences and overcoming challenges, trust is solidified, creating a foundation for positive relationships beyond professional duties.
Improves company culture
When individuals feel connected, valued, and part of a cohesive team, it contributes to a thriving company culture where collaboration is natural, communication flows seamlessly, and everyone is invested in the shared success of the organization. Well-executed team-building initiatives are the backbone of a vibrant and positive company culture.
Related: Improve Company Culture
Strengthens communication
Team building is a powerful catalyst for strengthening effective communication in the workplace. Collaborative activities and shared challenges lay the groundwork for open and transparent communication, creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing ideas and collaborating more effectively.
Related: Improve Workplace Communication
Promotes a healthy work environment
Team building fosters a robust and positive work environment by strengthening interpersonal relationships among team members. It enables teams to build trust, enhance cooperation, and develop a shared sense of purpose. This creates a healthy environment where individuals feel supported, motivated, and engaged in their collective goals.
Fosters creativity and collaboration
By encouraging brainstorming sessions, fostering an environment of open communication, and promoting diverse perspectives, teams can tap into a wealth of ideas and innovative solutions. This collaborative spirit enhances the quality of work and nurtures a culture where individuals feel empowered to share their unique insights, leading to a more dynamic and inventive work environment.
11 Team building activities for employees
Whether you are trying to improve communication, creativity, or morale, there are plenty of fun team building options. The most effective activities feel natural, so it’s essential to understand and stay updated on employees’ connection preferences. The following list of team building work activities will unite people and boost engagement. Pick one or two activities to start, see if the team building comes naturally, ask for feedback often, measure results, and adjust as necessary.
1. Team sports
Sports are an active, playful way to strengthen team dynamics. Your workplace can host an annual sporting event, like kickball, or participate in a local sports league to play more frequently. Not sure what sports to choose from? Some popular options include volleyball, ping pong, soccer, flag football, capture the flag, pickleball, softball, charity runs, and even laser tag. Plus, these are all great ways to improve employee health and happiness- and create fun memories.
2. Happy hour
Need a relaxed environment for team members to get to know each other? Grab a drink or share a meal after the work day. The informal setting is perfect for team bonding and stress relief – not to mention celebrating achievements and breaking down hierarchies. Some employees and employers might prefer to socialize differently, so be sure to offer sober-friendly options as well. That way, people with different preferences don’t feel pressure.
3. Office trivia
Trivia games are a fun and effective team building activity that stimulates employee engagement and alignment. Learning and laughing together over company trivia encourages higher levels of company knowledge and cognitive skills. Thinking on your feet and competing in a friendly environment boosts team spirit and contributes to a positive and dynamic workplace culture.
4. Volunteering
Most great leaders encourage employees to volunteer to give back to their community. Still, it’s also a great team building activity. Traveling offsite to help others offers employees meaningful shared experiences that go beyond work.
5. Host a lunch and learn
Team building engagement activities are all about getting to know each other, and what better way to do that than learning together and sharing a meal? Lunch and learns are popular among employees and employers because they foster camaraderie while increasing shared knowledge. You can choose from various topics, like presentation communication, web design, or industry-specific trends. This activity helps teams work together more effectively and gives employees unique opportunities for personal development and growth.
6. Have a ‘hackathon’
Often used in software development and technology, ‘hackathons’ are the perfect way to stimulate team collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Plus, it’s simple. Choose a complex problem and get your team together for an all-hands discussion to solve it. Encourage creativity, innovation, and autonomy to get the most team building benefits.
7. Start a book club
Book clubs are a great way to schedule regular and recurring team building time into everyone’s busy schedules. The books can range from work-related topics to more personal ones and some in between. Put out some snacks and beverages to encourage attendance and a positive experience. The more people you get to attend, the more diverse perspectives and conversations you will have.
8. Company retreat or event
Especially in today’s world of remote and hybrid work, most employees appreciate intentional, in-person time together. Social gatherings, like a company retreat or team event, are a great way to connect with others in an informal, non-office setting. Defining clear team building goals for the retreat or event ensures productivity. No matter how casual the event is, it’s essential to define your goal, even if it’s better communication or less stress.
9. Scheduled coffee breaks
Whether your employees are virtual or in-person, scheduled coffee breaks are always a good idea. Set up 15 minutes to chat and connect without pressure or big goals. Free coffee and tea in the office or a gift card for remote employees is the perfect incentive for folks to take a break and get to know each other.
10. Memory wall
The memory wall game helps teams see the impact of their successes and interpersonal connections. The game is simple but does work better in person:
- Hand out pens and paper and have everyone write down a positive memory shared with someone in the room.
- Partner up with whomever you share the memory with and draw it together.
- Everyone can share their stories and hang the memories around the office to spread positivity and inspiration.
11. Mindfulness and wellness challenge
Mindfulness and wellness challenges show some of the most impactful results of all these team building work activities. Everyone wants to stay calm in stressful situations, especially at work. Mindfulness activities help individuals manage stress, conflict, and communication more productively, saving the whole team time.
Being mindful together also improves team members’ connections and improves overall employee well-being. And who wants something other than a strong, happy, healthy, and engaged workplace culture?
Improve team dynamics with employee feedback
Employee feedback is vital for boosting employee engagement and identifying effective team-building activities. Do you have great people, strong team dynamics, and an award-worthy culture? Nominate your organization today to gain valuable insights and recognition!
