CHIEF OF STAFF FIVE: Team building is a great way to form and strengthen bonds among employees. It is also one of an organisation’s most favoured strategies to give employees a breather from their routine and workload. A well-thought-out event or activity can thereby work wonders on multiple levels for a team or even the whole organisation.
If you are thinking of activities that employees will enjoy, and increase their cohesion and camaraderie, then this Chief of Staff Five list is for you.
1. Scavenger hunt
This is an oldie but a goodie! The facilitator divides participants into two or more groups and gives a list of things to collect or places to find and take a picture of. The first team to accomplish the list will be the winner.
There are many ways to make this game extra challenging such as including riddles, references to pop culture, and quizzes on general knowledge. This game can build rapport in teams while putting their problem-solving skills to a fun and engaging test.
2. All Tied Up
In this game, each group must stand in a tight circle facing one another, and then tie their hands with a string or rope. The goal is to then accomplish a range of tasks, such as solving a jigsaw puzzle, relaying objects, acting out charades, or anything the game master can think of. This game highlights the importance of communication and collaboration in teams.
3. Cross the River
This activity involves an imaginary river, a rope to separate two “banks”, and pieces of cardboard that serve as “rocks” to carry each member to the other side of the river. The goal is for everyone to safely cross the river in a given amount of time.
Each team must come up with a strategy for how the rocks will be placed and the movements used to get everyone across. If anyone falls, the entire team has to start over but must hurry up before the time runs out.
This game zooms in on coordination, cooperation, and helping one another, which are important values all efficient teams have. You can read more about the mechanics here.
4. Team Jigsaw
Each team has to complete a jigsaw puzzle with limited time without using their voices! It seems simple but the challenge is that the jigsaw puzzle pieces are mixed among teams. As time progresses, each team will realise that it has odd pieces and that the pieces it needs to finish the puzzle are actually with the other teams.
This game encourages participants to observe not only what is in front of them but also what is happening around them and be more creative in communicating. Moreover, this will help participants understand that within an organisation, it doesn’t make sense to have competition between teams.
5. Company Outing
Team building do not need to involve games all the time. Sometimes, it can also be a group getaway.
Leaving the office and travelling to a different place with your co-workers is a different experience. Spending recreational time with your colleagues is also a great approach to create harmonious relationships that can lead to greater teamwork, collaboration, and innovation.
