Why team building is important in the workplace
There’s a bad rap on team building. In most businesses, when a supervisor says, “We’re gonna have some team-building!” the team-building staff starts re-running old episodes of The Office. It’s one thing to see it on TV, but it’s not so funny to get a real-life taste of the boss mimicking Steve Carell’s awkward, try-hard style of leadership.
In spite of its reputation for being, well, lame, the most important investment you can make for your people is team building with a Zoom magician. It builds trust, mitigates conflict, promotes interaction, and enhances cooperation. Successful team bonding means more dedicated workers, which is beneficial for the company’s atmosphere and enhances the bottom line. It can even be adventurous and enjoyable if you do it with a little pizzazz.
Why team build
The most successful, memorable team-building events are those offsite meetings that don’t feel like a day at the office. Virtual team-building activities that overtly aim to draw in leadership lessons or practical takeaways are less powerful. Spending time together, having an encounter, or collaborating on a shared cause makes it possible for teamwork to happen more organically and much more efficiently.
One team-building example that comes to mind is the night we took the team to a country music concert at Eric Church because our own COO (also called Erik Church- no relationship) had always wanted to go. As we spent the night drinking beer and learning our two steps, there was no clear lecture in leadership or conversation. But the experience brought everyone closer together, and we finally learned that there is no better way for someone to understand than to walk a mile in his cowboy boots.
Why is team building important
Importance of teambuilding
We’ve won a spot at O2E Brands as one of the best places to work in the world, and using the Zoom mentalist for team building was a huge part of that. When it comes to planning team-building activities for your people, here are the ground rules that apply.
Don’t artificially push the corporate message
Those that don’t feel like a day at the office are the most successful, memorable team-building events. Team-building activities that overtly try to incorporate leadership lessons or takeaways are less effective. Spending time together, having an encounter, or collaborating on a shared cause makes it possible for teamwork to happen more organically and much more efficiently.
Team building importance
One example that comes to mind is the night we took the team to a country music concert at Eric Church because our own COO (also called Erik Church-no relationship) had always wanted to go. As we spent the night drinking beer and learning our two steps, there was no clear lecture on leadership or conversation. But the experience brought everyone closer together, and we finally learned that there is no better way for someone to understand than to walk a mile in his cowboy boots.
Importance of team building activities
Benefits of Team Building – forget the company picnic
It turns out that pleasure and learning are related together closely. Trying new things with your employees can generate good vibes among employees, which benefits the company itself in turn. Choosing something distinctive and slightly outside the comfort zones of people can encourage them to come together in new ways.
When I found out that one of our team members was afraid of heights-and had always hoped to conquer that fear-we took the entire crew to the longest zipline in the country. That day, being thrust into an exciting scenario 600 feet above Whistler helped us all gel.
Why teambuilding?
This is not an extravagance—it’s an investment.
A few years ago, we brought NASCAR racing to our top-performing franchise partners. It wasn’t a fortune of $350 per person, but for a growing business, it was still a sizeable chunk of change. It was a worthwhile investment. The team at the virtual event felt valued. The feeling was incredible—screeching along a circuit at more than 145 miles per hour—and we all felt like champions.
And my point? These things aren’t fluff. On fancy, expensive trips or experiences, you don’t have to bet the farm, but don’t skimp either. Be prepared to make a genuine investment in the company’s culture.
Keep that positive energy at the office going.
Most team-building falls flat because it’s done and then forgotten as one-time activity ideas. It’s key to find ways to keep the excitement going. The difficulty is providing spaces for individuals outside of daily meetings or presentations to communicate and engage in substantive ways.
One way we do this is at our daily huddle. At the same time of day, the whole organization assembles for a fast-paced stand-up meeting to check in on major projects and share milestones together. Our individuals are invited to share with each other their list of 101 life goals (we have created an app to make it easier). Goals vary from learning to read Tolstoy in Russian to visiting the Great Wall of China. It’s a strong way of learning about people and their dreams and developing activity ideas for future team-building events.
How do you know you’ve gotten team building right? If there was laughter, enthusiasm, success, and maybe a few moments on Instagram, you’re on the right track.
