Why Team Building Is Important
As professional team builders, we have seen a lot of reactions when guests arrive for our team building events. Some are excited. Others, not so much! But it’s rare that we’ve seen those who were initially unhappy about attending a team building event leave with that same reaction. And that is the crux of the matter for today’s blog – why team building works, despite what your teams’ initial reaction may be, and why you should host team building events.
Team building gets everyone to relate as equals
On the job, there is a hierarchy. Everyone knows who their boss is and who the boss’ boss is and it’s natural for people to defer to their higher-ups. In team building, however, everyone is on the same footing. The goal of team building is to band together as a team on a common quest, whether that’s to complete a scavenger hunt, compete in field games, or stuff a bear for a child in need.
Team building brings people together
There is a reason it’s called “team building.” It’s because team building events allow people to build new connections, build on their existing relationships, bond, and become a better team. People who may never have interacted with one another before get to forge strong connections after working together toward a common goal. This is especially important if your team is composed of new hires, or has recently been re-organized, as it gives them a chance to get to know their peers and feel more comfortable working together in the future.
Team building reveals true personalities
There is a quote by Plato that reads, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” At Wildly Different, we all delight in seeing peoples’ true selves come out during an event. That shy accountant? Fiercely competitive on the field! That handyman? Not only is he good with his hands, but he’s also brilliant at solving clues! Team building allows everyone a glimpse into another aspect of our co-workers that is unlikely to shine during the normal work environment.
Team building emphasizes team skills
Everyone knows they must use certain skills in the workforce – communication, strategy, collaboration, etc. But sometimes…we forget! Team building events put these skills to the test. When the team building event is over, you can then organize a debrief that provides “lightbulb moments” where participants can relate to how a skill they used (or didn’t) made a difference to the outcome and use those lessons in real-world applications. Team building is also an excellent way to observe who does or doesn’t possess certain skills and use that information to place people in roles that complement their abilities and allow you to coach those who need help in certain areas.
Team building is fun!
We’ve all heard, “Work hard. Play hard.” But how many companies who expect their people to work hard truly create opportunities for them to play hard as well? Team building events reward people for a job well done, giving them an opportunity to let their hair down and laugh together. Fun team building programs that generate laughter are a great addition to your organization’s wellness initiatives. This is especially important as according to the Mayo Clinic, laughter produces benefits both short and long term by relieving stress and even improving your immune system.
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
Wildly Different
