“Team building exercise” is a term that is bound to get a few eyes rolling in the office, but if you do it right, those eye rolls might be somewhat ironic. Dare we say, they might even be enjoyable.
Team building is important. It makes for much more cohesive workplace operations and a much more peaceful workplace environment. It’s a sad fact but it’s hard to get mad at the mail boy when you know he’s got a crush on the latest Disney princess.
But what to do? There are a lot of options out there. If you’re having trouble nailing down what you want to do for your team building exercise, take a look at what we think are the best options for your next office do.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are the biggest and latest day out activity to reach the market – and they are guaranteed to produce laughs. If your team building exercise is about getting laughs, you’ve hit gold. There are countless behind the scenes videos on the net of families and friends trying to coordinate – and failing. That could be your team!
At the very least it will be an attempt to get them coordinating, and it will make work life easier if they have some practice in at trying to solve a problem together. Put them all in a room, throw away the key and watch them solve clues trying to get out.
You will inevitably see the leader emerge, who is directing everyone else, the genius that gets the clue no one else did, and the stragglers that sit in the corner until it’s over.
If you really want a laugh, you can try one of the new VR rooms, that bring the horror to the concept of an escape room.
Treasure Hunts
Treasure hunts have the same idea as escape rooms in terms of what you will get out of it. Aside from one thing: your team members will be split into smaller teams. In duos, trios, what have you, the staff members will be on the hunt for a valuable artifact. They will work together, solve clues, and ultimately engage their problem-solving skills. Morale and creativity will go up as the team learns to interact together.
There is also the added positive that it offers an outdoor experience, if you want to take advantage of some rare good British weather. Plus, it is a socially distanced alternative in these days.
If you are looking for a treasure hunt excursion, take a look at Team Tactics, who offer treasure hunts in a UK city near you. Their treasure hunts feature fun themes and the latest iPads to help them on their quest to find the lost treasure. Try the Apprentice Charity Treasure hunt for an extra gooey feeling of aiding the Demelza Hospice Care For Children.
Pub Quiz
If you’re the “cool” team manager, a la David Brent, you can take the team to the local pub for their team building exercise. It’s guaranteed to be a hit.
Failing the pub, you can still host a trivia night in the office. Elect a quizmaster, start Googling random facts, and before you know it, you’ll have everyone conspiring with their answers. The quiz will have everyone thinking and delegating genres of subjects to the most knowledgeable player.
However, warning: there will always be at least one instance of two teammates coming to different conclusions and equally thinking they’re right. Chances are neither of them are. So, it can be a humbling experience on top of everything else.
Plus, you will need a prize for the winning team. And no, a coffee isn’t a prize.
