Top Employer Brands Harness Culture Building Activities to Unify Employees
The concept of “team-building” is not new, nor is it unique. But to understand the importance of teamwork, and how to develop an effective team, is often overlooked. When building a company’s culture, whether in the small business or startup space, the sense of belonging within the team is essential for understanding and buying into the mission of the organization.
But that’s not all that bonding is good for. Team building activities aid in succinct problem-solving and decision making, fostering meaningful communication, boosting morale and ushering in a collaborative work culture. And of course, personal bonds between coworkers lead to greater employee retention and overall happiness in the workplace.
However, more often than not, the mere mention of “team-bonding” activities elicits groans of displeasure. This does not need to be the case. We know that team bonding and creating effective lines of communication and collaboration are essential for company success. With a few fresh ideas, you can plan team building activities that your teams are sure to enjoy:
- Scavenger Hunt
Photograph everything on a list within a certain time limit. The first team to complete each item on the list, wins! https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/creative-team-outing-ideas
- Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower
Have a few groups at different tables with 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, one roll of tape, one yard of string and one marshmallow on the table. Set a time limit, and start building the tallest tower. The one with the tallest tower that can stand on its own wins! https://www.wrike.com/blog/ultimate-guide-team-building-activities/
- Two Truths and a Lie
Every team member secretly writes down two truths about themselves and one lie on a small piece of paper. Team members then have to guess which is the lie. It helps get to know each coworker a littler better. https://www.huddle.com/blog/team-building-activities/
- Retreats
Taking the team building out of the office can shake up how people get to know each other.
- The Name Game
Write the name of a famous person on a sticky note. Place the sticky note on the back of a team member. They then have to ask the rest of the team questions to try to figure out who they are.
- Group Volunteering
People want to help people. Get everyone out of the office and giving back to a cause that matters to your team.
- Treasure Chest
Have everyone write down something they really want in life. Place these notes in a box/treasure chest. Then go around the room, and everyone gives ideas on how that person can achieve their goals.
- Creative Happy Hours
Plan a brewery tour at your local craft brewery, or host a wine tasting.
- Board Game Marathon
Nothing brings people together like a bit of healthy competition and fun. Think about choosing some nostalgia inducing classics.
- Kickball Leagues
Anyone can play this classic. Get into it. Make up team names, design t-shirts, compete!
- Book Club/Show Club
This is a cost-effective and easy way to get everyone involved. Choose a book and/or television series that everyone’s into. Catch up and talk theories each week.
- Lunch Lotto
Draw names monthly for a group of coworkers to have lunch together (on the company’s dime). Gets people who don’t normally talk to interact together and build better relationships within the company. https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/16-ideas-for-creating-a-stronger-team-and-better-culture.html
- Fitness Competition with a Healthy Goal
Create different teams with different goals. Each team member can come up with a goal intended for them to reach. https://baproinc.com/5-culture-building-activities-employees-will-appreciate/
- Feeding Time
Have monthly pizza parties, coffee and donuts, or catered lunches at the office. People love food, especially if it’s free. It will give employees something to look forward to. https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/create-fun-company-culture/
- Education Days
Take everyone to a seminar or class. Maybe it’s related to your field, or maybe it’s an art or cooking class.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Party
Pick a scenario and theme for your party. Have everyone dress up according to the theme, and then provide name tags, maps, and suspect files. The group has to work together and solve the mystery.
- Fantasy Leagues
Set up fantasy baseball or football leagues that everyone in the office can join. Up the stakes with a few prizes for the top performers at the end of the season.
- Idea Workshops
Set aside an afternoon for employees to present ideas for the organization, and then allow the rest of the team to give feedback or bounce ideas off.
- Video Game Tournament
Bring out someone’s old console and play some fun co-op or party games like Mario Kart.
The time will come for you to host your own team building activities. Whether a small business, startup or large company, a successful workplace environment comes from effective team building. Take these concepts, and build on them to advance the team growth and effective communication strategies needed to develop the company culture and company success you’re after. It begins with your team.