Ideas for Free Team-Building Activities
Getting your staff to work together is an important part of running a business. Conducting group building exercises serves as a metaphor to show your group that work is easier when everyone participates as a team player. Plus, taking time out of work for some fun activities lightens the atmosphere in the work place, making the work environment a fun place to be.
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I'm Taking a Trip
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No set-up or supplies are needed for this game which works well as an impromptu activity. The leader, "Loni" announces that the group is going on a trip; everyone is invited but can only attend if he or she brings an acceptable item on the trip.
Loni, as the group leader goes first, by stating, "I'm taking a trip and I'm bringing light bulbs." She then asks a member of the group what they will bring. Each person must say the statement: I'm taking a trip and I'm bringing _____.
The trick is that each person can only bring an item that starts with the same letter as his or her first name. Therefore, "Bob" could bring baseballs but not toothpicks. For instance, on Bob's turn, if he says, "I'm taking a trip and I'm bringing tomatoes," Loni could say something like, "No, Bob, you can't bring tomatoes; but you can bring bananas."
Allow time for the participants to catch on to the game. Use your judgement to gauge when the game has run its course. Some group members will catch on right away, while others grasp at straws to figure out the game.
The purpose of the game is to show how observation and listening skills are useful in business transactions.
Helium Stick
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A thin, light dowel is needed for this group activity. Instruct the participants to form two lines, facing each other, with their index fingers pointing. Place the dowel between the two groups, gently resting the so-called "Helium Stick" on their extended fingers. Instruct the group that they can only touch the stick by allowing it to rest on their extended fingers. Also, each of their extended fingers must stay in contact with the stick at all times. Finally, tell them their task is to lower the stick to the ground. As they try to lower the stick, it is common for the group to actually move in reverse, raising the stick higher into the air because while they try to lower it, they must also keep in contact with it.
An alternate version requires placing a loose washer at each end of the dowel. In this version, the dowel must be lowered level to keep the washers from sliding off.
The lesson shows how the team needs to communicate with each other and trust that each other member will do their part of the job.
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Tag Team Game
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This activity is suited for an in-office seminar day. If you have a large group, divide the members into small groups of four to eight people. Each small group is given a large sheet of presentation paper with markers. Instruct the group to draw a "super person," that will be the model employee of the company. Next, the group is to list the super-person's attributes. The catch is that each attribute written on the paper must be an attribute that each group member feels that she is good at. For instance, Sharon may say that the "super person" has excellent listening skills, because she believes she is good at understanding customer requests.
If a member has trouble finding his strong points, the group can help that person. Bill could say, "The super employee should have good listening skills, because Sharon is good at listening to customers."
The point of the exercise is to encourage each person to look inward to find what he perceives to be his good qualities that he brings to the team. Similarly, it allows the team members to see what talents their fellow co-workers possess.
Rope Knots
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Tie simple overhand knots in a long, climbing rope at approximately 2-foot intervals. Stretch the rope across the room. Instruct each participant to grab a section of the rope. Give the group the task of untying each knot in the rope, however, they are not allowed to let go of the rope. Each person can only use his or her free hand. Therefore, they will be climbing over and under the rope as it is pulled through each knot.
Team work and coordination are put to the test as the rope can only be untied with everyone's participation and cooperation. Follow-up with a discussion about the the "knots" that exist in the organization that need everyone's attention to be fixed.
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References
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- Photo Credit Three office workers image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
