As a manager, you know how important it is to keep your employees engaged and motivated, and one of the best ways to do that is by planning regular team building activities. However, a good manager knows that a quick meeting with a few awkward ‘ice breaker’ activities is only ever met with eye rolls. It’s important to plan events that are met with enthusiasm, but sometimes it’s difficult to come up with fresh ideas every time. Here are some tips that could help.
1. Make It Interactive and Engaging
The key to successful team building lies in choosing activities that get people moving and actively participating rather than sitting around talking. Traditional trust falls and awkward sharing circles are outdated approaches that often make employees uncomfortable. Instead, focus on dynamic experiences that naturally encourage collaboration without forcing it. Consider activities like escape rooms, cooking challenges, or even adventure-based experiences at an indoor inflatable park where teams can engage in friendly competition while working together toward common goals. These types of activities break down barriers naturally and help colleagues see each other in a new light outside the typical office environment.
2. Consider Your Team’s Diverse Interests
Not everyone on your team will be excited about the same activities, so it’s important to consider the diverse interests and comfort levels of your employees. Some team members might love high-energy physical challenges, while others prefer creative or problem-solving activities. The best team building events offer variety within the experience, allowing different personality types to shine. Survey your team beforehand or rotate between different types of activities throughout the year to ensure everyone feels included and engaged.
3. Choose the Right Timing and Duration
Timing can make or break your team building event. Avoid scheduling activities during particularly stressful periods or when deadlines are looming, as this will only create resentment. Similarly, don’t make the event too long. Most effective team building activities last between two to four hours, giving people enough time to connect without feeling like their entire day is consumed. Consider scheduling events during work hours when possible, as this demonstrates that you value team building as part of the job rather than an additional burden.
4. Focus on Fun Over Forced Bonding
The most successful team building activities are those that prioritize genuine fun over forced emotional connections. When people are naturally enjoying themselves, authentic relationships develop organically. Skip the overly structured sharing exercises and instead create environments where laughter and friendly competition can flourish. Activities that challenge teams to work together toward a shared goal, whether that’s solving puzzles, completing physical challenges, or creating something together, tend to be far more effective than activities that explicitly focus on “bonding.”
5. Keep It Fresh and Memorable
Avoid falling into the trap of planning the same type of event repeatedly. Your team will quickly lose interest if every team building activity feels like a carbon copy of the last one. Mix up venues, activity types, and group configurations to keep things interesting. Consider unique locations or experiences that employees wouldn’t typically encounter in their personal lives, as these tend to be more memorable and conversation-worthy long after the event ends.
Team building doesn’t have to be the dreaded corporate obligation that employees try to avoid. With thoughtful planning that prioritizes genuine engagement, diverse interests, and authentic fun, you can create experiences that your team actually looks forward to.