How to Improve on Quality in the Workplace by Team Building Activities

Fun team-building activities can translate into more collaboration in the workplace.

Team building activities may seem like a poor use of employees' time. However, such activities can lead to increased employee satisfaction and motivation, because they send the message that you care enough about your employees to provide professional development opportunities. Team building activities can also improve their ability to work together. In the long run, this means less turnover and a happier, more productive workforce.

Instructions

1. Choose when and where team building activities will be provided. For instance, you may decide to hold short activities once a month right in your office building, or you might decide to get employees out to a local park or other venue for an entire day of team building each year.

2. Select what activities you will have employees participate in. Outdoor physical activities like tug-of-war and team sports will provide entertainment while also teaching employees how to work with one another. In the office, consider games like minefield, where objects are scattered around the workplace and employees work in teams of two, with one partner blindfolded and the other verbally guiding his partner through the "minefield." Such games are simple, but they offer valuable lessons about clear communication and teamwork.

3. Announce your team building event and request that employees attend. Avoid making it mandatory because some employees might resent it. Explain, in your announcement, why the company believes attendance is important, not just for the company but for employees as well. Send out a companywide email, and then follow up with flyers in common areas like kitchens or cafeterias.

4. Conduct your team building activities as planned. After the fun is over, sit employees down to talk about what they learned from the activities. Encourage discussion about how the lessons can translate into the workplace.

5. Provide participants with evaluations that they can submit anonymously to get their feedback on the team building activities. This feedback can help you make your next team building activity even more valuable.

6. Thank employees for their participation. Use a companywide email to do this so that employees see that you value initiative and encourage nonparticipants to join in the team-building fun next time around. Highlight lessons learned by participants, as well as some of the high points of the day or event.

7. Create continuing dialogue around the lessons learned from the team-building activities so employees don't forget and go back to working in silos.

References

• Wilderdon: Team Building Activities, Initiative Games and Problem Solving Exercises
• Great Results Team Building: Why Team Building is Important
• Team Building Leader: Find Team Building Exercises, Activities and Resources