8 Ideas for Team-Buidling Activities
(that don't suck)
You may be right to think that remote and dispersed teams suffer from impersonal, abstracted relationships. Research has shown that conflict more easily spirals out of control and leads to bigger problems, more than might normally be warranted.
Team retreats are a great way to enjoy the benefits of remote-working and dispersed teams, while still building authentic trust and understanding among the group. Think of it as optimizing the work environment – by selecting and optimizing the features of in-person office work that actually function well, while minimizing the down-sides.
Many leaders wanting to organize team retreats are doing so precisely for these social reasons, yet we’ve all participated in team-building activities that were horribly awkward.
At TeamDays we recommend scheduling fun and free time in retreats, and allowing for spontaneity. Real trust and relationships can’t be forced, they just happen over time when we spend time together.
However, if your group is looking to do something a bit structured, there are some rules of thumb:
- Keep it fun, don’t force “team-building” (you can’t).
- While we’re at it, don’t call it “team-building.” People will recoil just hearing that. It should just be something fun to do to break up the day.
- Try not to make it too competitive.
- Ideally, allow people to choose their level of participation (including not to participate). Think of it like this: it should be good enough and resonate with the personalities of your team to the extent that people actually want to do it, instead of feeling pressure to take part because they work there.
So, here are 8 ideas for team-building activities that don’t (or if done right, shouldn’t) suck.
1. Break Bread. If you really just want to do something nice that people will enjoy … organize and pay for a lunch or dinner. Not pizza or sandwiches. A proper meal with courses, that takes time and is delicious, unique and interesting, and that feels more like a gift. Something that your team might brag about to their friends or family. Meals have been uniting people since the beginning of time. Set the environment, be generous, and let the team unite on their own terms.
2. Wine or cheese tasting. Similar to a meal together, this has the added benefit of providing an elevated cultural experience and learning. Your team will be thankful for the experience, and they’ll have fun doing it together.
3. Escape rooms. These are out-of-the ordinary experiences that involve problem-solving, fun, and adventure. The best ones make you feel like you’re in a movie. The team effectively solves problems while playing a game.
4. Axe-throwing. It sounds weird, and it might sound a bit “agro,” but you may be surprised. It’s totally unpredictable who will be good at it, and it’s kind of hysterical trying and watching people try it.
5. Child’s play. Your team could play childhood games like “Ghosts in the Graveyard.” Or games like croquet. Or, activities like zip-line courses (depending on the personalities). These can be good ways of working together and breaking down overly serious team dynamics.
6. Comedy night. Get someone to guide people on an improv comedy night. You might think that this is only for “funny” people, but it’s a skill people can learn. It helps people get in the moment (and, of course, in some hilarious situations). It also can help enliven and lighten social dynamics.
7. A cause. Think about donating time together for a charity or some kind of social benefit. This may sound sort of austere, but it can be really fun and it’s great to do things together for a good cause. Maybe it’s serving food or making presents for kids during the holidays.
8. Karaoke. This sort of volunteered embarrassment tends to break-down barriers. You also tend to learn things about people’s hidden talents or tastes that you didn’t know about. People can also passively take part and still enjoy themselves (and what singer doesn’t love an audience?!).
Team retreats are a great way to enjoy the benefits of remote-working and dispersed teams, while still building authentic trust and understanding among the group. Think of it as optimizing the work environment – by selecting and optimizing the features of in-person office work that actually function well, while minimizing the down-sides.
Many leaders wanting to organize team retreats are doing so precisely for these social reasons, yet we’ve all participated in team-building activities that were horribly awkward.
At TeamDays we recommend scheduling fun and free time in retreats, and allowing for spontaneity. Real trust and relationships can’t be forced, they just happen over time when we spend time together.
However, if your group is looking to do something a bit structured, there are some rules of thumb:
- Keep it fun, don’t force “team-building” (you can’t).
- While we’re at it, don’t call it “team-building.” People will recoil just hearing that. It should just be something fun to do to break up the day.
- Try not to make it too competitive.
- Ideally, allow people to choose their level of participation (including not to participate). Think of it like this: it should be good enough and resonate with the personalities of your team to the extent that people actually want to do it, instead of feeling pressure to take part because they work there.
So, here are 8 ideas for team-building activities that don’t (or if done right, shouldn’t) suck.
1. Break Bread. If you really just want to do something nice that people will enjoy … organize and pay for a lunch or dinner. Not pizza or sandwiches. A proper meal with courses, that takes time and is delicious, unique and interesting, and that feels more like a gift. Something that your team might brag about to their friends or family. Meals have been uniting people since the beginning of time. Set the environment, be generous, and let the team unite on their own terms.
2. Wine or cheese tasting. Similar to a meal together, this has the added benefit of providing an elevated cultural experience and learning. Your team will be thankful for the experience, and they’ll have fun doing it together.
3. Escape rooms. These are out-of-the ordinary experiences that involve problem-solving, fun, and adventure. The best ones make you feel like you’re in a movie. The team effectively solves problems while playing a game.
4. Axe-throwing. It sounds weird, and it might sound a bit “agro,” but you may be surprised. It’s totally unpredictable who will be good at it, and it’s kind of hysterical trying and watching people try it.
5. Child’s play. Your team could play childhood games like “Ghosts in the Graveyard.” Or games like croquet. Or, activities like zip-line courses (depending on the personalities). These can be good ways of working together and breaking down overly serious team dynamics.
6. Comedy night. Get someone to guide people on an improv comedy night. You might think that this is only for “funny” people, but it’s a skill people can learn. It helps people get in the moment (and, of course, in some hilarious situations). It also can help enliven and lighten social dynamics.
7. A cause. Think about donating time together for a charity or some kind of social benefit. This may sound sort of austere, but it can be really fun and it’s great to do things together for a good cause. Maybe it’s serving food or making presents for kids during the holidays.
8. Karaoke. This sort of volunteered embarrassment tends to break-down barriers. You also tend to learn things about people’s hidden talents or tastes that you didn’t know about. People can also passively take part and still enjoy themselves (and what singer doesn’t love an audience?!).