The Wonders of Team Building!

Working as a team can create its fair share of challenges, but everyone knows that working together is often far more beneficial and successful than working alone. As they say, “team work makes the dream work” (don’t hate us for cringey quotes!)

A lot of employees wonder why team building is so important, and in true Brit fashion often feel sufficiently awkward at having to take part in group activities.

As an employer, you will always be trying to find new ways to help your staff work more efficiently. Team building events are a great way to bring colleagues together outside their usual working environment and let them enjoy a working day away from their desks.

We’ve rounded up some key benefits of investing in team activities…

1. Breaking down barriers

If you’ve ever seen The Office, you’ll know that there is a distinct divide between management and staff, and management often just want to feel part of the group.

Red Shoes PR says: “Team building increases the trust factor with your employees. Often in corporate settings there is a disconnect between the leadership team and employees because the employees sense too large of a gap between the two.

“Team building exercises give leadership the opportunity to be seen as a colleague rather than a boss, which can do wonders for employee morale.”

Letting yourself enjoy the lighter side of things and spending a day laughing with your employees will help break down those intimidating authoritative barriers that often prevent professional relationships from fully developing.

2. Develops problem solving skills

Problem solving activities can be extremely helpful in creating a strong group of professionals who are able to put their heads together as a team to target and solve specific problems.

As children we’re all taught to play together and how to share, but as adults, working together can often be challenging when egos and competitiveness gets in the way.

While problems in the office often include fighting with the printer in ten different ways when trying to change the ink (admit it, you know this horror as well as we do), every organisation is often faced with more serious and unexpected obstacles. Team building opportunities can help prepare your team for whatever comes their way by building relationships and forging trust.

Outcomes and lessons learned during team building activities can be very useful when individuals return to work, while also creating memories between team members.

3. Improves communication

We all know what it’s like to be in a working environment with someone who we’ve never said a word to, or for some reason or another, who hasn’t spoken to a word to anyone.

Communication is not always everyone’s strong suit, and many people feel under pressure when forced to communicate with their colleagues. Team building activities encourage open conversation without the added pressure of a professional environment, helping to bring people out of their shell.

According to TeamBonding.com: “It is no surprise that communication and working better together is the top reason why people choose host team building days. Everybody wants a friendly work environment, where people are comfortable and happy to talk to and work with anyone.”

4. It’s fun

Taking colleagues out of their normal working environment and giving them dedicated team challenges is always going to be fun. No one is ever going to argue with having a day out of the office!

More importantly, the more comfortable your employees are to express their ideas and opinions, the more confident they will become. This will motivate them to take on new challenges within the workplace.

5. Encourages creativity

Team building activities often gives permission for employees to be more creative and to use their imagination to accomplish the tasks set before them. It also helps you identify skills within employees that you had never noticed before, meaning you’ll find out which members of the team may be better suited to particular problems.

It also sends the message to employees that their creativity is welcome in the workplace. These creative problem-solving skills transfer back to the workplace once the activities are complete.

Think outside the box!

It’s all about the unexpected… If you’re taking your team on an away day, why not investigate quirky, out of the norm venues to engage your delegates? Choosing the right venue can get the conversation started even within the office, making sure everyone is excited to work together on something different.

Alternatively, if you don’t have the time or resources to take your colleagues offsite, why not get a little creative and turn your office into the venue?

If this sounds like the perfect fit, we can make sure your team can benefit from the five wonders of team building without the stress and expense of leaving the office.

Techniquest has launched an office take-over package whereby our interactive exhibition can come to you! Science communicators will also attend with portable puzzles to test and engage your colleagues at their desks!

Get in touch with Techniquest!

If you’d like to learn more about Techniquest’s full team building capabilities get in touch with the team on [email protected] or visit: https://www.techniquest.org/corporate/team-building/