How Team Building Exercises Improve Productivity

It’s always a good idea to get out of the office for a few hours to bond as a team. Not only does a field trip like this provide your group with something to look forward to, it can can also increase team bonding and productivity after the event is over. There are a variety of team building exercises available to fit any group, from puzzle-focused events to more active adventures. Consider what you need your team building exercise to accomplish and which activities might be the best fit by getting some inspiration from the examples below.

Team Building Exercises to Try

A classic scavenger hunt offers more opportunities for entertainment and team building than you might realize. Construct your scavenger hunt to take employees all over the neighborhood in which the office is located, and list activities to complete and objects to find that are relevant to your company. For example, ask teams to take a photo with a stranger wearing your company’s colors or pick up a business card from a competitor’s office. Offer up a prize for the team that finishes first. Scavenger hunts help generate trust amongst employees, who may have to rely on each other’s knowledge of the area and unique skills, like an ability to talk to anyone, to win.

Escape rooms offer a trendy team building exercise that your group will be excited to try. Teams have a set amount of time to figure out how to leave a locked room, with themes ranging from murder mystery houses and haunted rooms to prison breaks. Tasks include solving puzzles and riddles, moving objects, and discovering clues to find a key that will set them free. Escape rooms offer a high level of engagement, communication, and shared learning. They require teams to solve problems while under pressure, helping them better understand how to efficiently and calmly deal with similar situations in the office.

Active teams may love the chance to get on the water for kayaking or canoeing. Not only is it a great way to see your city from a new angle, it provides plenty of fresh air and the chance to work together to paddle your way smoothly. If you’d rather keep your feet firmly on dry land, consider a painting or cooking class. These offer the chance to learn how to tactfully help other colleagues, provide encouragement, and tap into creativity.

Not every team-building activity requires a big trip or special materials. Consider a classic soap box derby or cardboard box boat race using supplies from the office. Teams will have a set amount of time to create their vehicle. Then, everyone will get a chance to race their cars or see how long their boats last on the water. This activity can help teams learn to express ideas and accept — or gracefully turn down — ideas from their colleagues. It’s a great way to build trust, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Northern VA Team Building and Productivity

In addition to providing a chance for your team to bond and get out of the office, team building exercises can increase productivity long after they’re over. They help break the ice between new coworkers, making it easier for them to speak to each other to solve problems during work. It can also introduce coworkers to each other’s unique communication styles, helping them give and receive information more efficiently. Team building exercises sometimes put coworkers in stressful situations, making it imperative for them to trust and rely on each other to get things done.

In the office, this can translate to an increased sense of responsibility for each others’ success, encouraging productivity and efficiency for the greater good. Finally, team building exercises promote creative thinking. Rather than waste time mulling over tired answers to old problems, employees are likely to begin thinking about unique solutions that could end up saving time. The skills that employees develop together and the connections they make with each other can provide the foundation for better teamwork that helps propel the company forward and improve efficiency in the office.