Why Team Building Activities are important for the corporate world in 2019?
Team Building Activities
With the change in times and in the wake of cut-throat competition, companies and business’s reliance on one of their most important assets- their employees have increased to a significant extent. A business or organization is basically a collection of people coming from diverse backgrounds to fulfil a common goal.
When people with diverse skills, qualifications, experience, and capabilities come together, there is bound to be some stressful situations. If such situations are allowed to continue, it can have a detrimental impact on the work performance of the employees and the productivity of the business. It is for this reason, more and more businesses are choosing to organize team building games to keep their employees motivated and encouraging them to work together in perfect tandem.
How Team Building has gained so much importance?
There was a time when team building was not considered very important and the focus was more on continuous and relentless work and meeting of goals. Soon employees start showing signs of disenchantment and frustration resulting in reduced work performance and productivity. This brought the focus back to team building activities.
Earlier, the idea of having a team building activity was a picnic or at the most a few games without any focus on the desired outcomes. In the past few years, the corporate world has understood the significance of organizing professionally managed team building activities.
Today, team building games and activities are considered as the best investment any company can make for its people. These activities are focused on mitigating conflict, building trust. Increasing collaboration and encouraging communication. Effective and results-oriented team building efforts help in more engaged and motivated employees. Such activities create a strong business culture and boost the bottom line of the business. When planned and implemented efficiently, it can help derive results that are beyond expectations. Making these activities a little fun-filled and enjoyable ensures optimal employee participation.
Companies can make their offices as the best places to work with the help of team building activities. While enjoying the unimaginable benefits of these activities, it is imperative to follow certain ground rules that are applicable when planning team building activities.
Do not force feed corporate stuff
It is important to understand here that when planning team building activities, steer clear of corporate stuff and do not try to force-feeding it down the throat of the employees. A memorable and successful team building activity is the one that feels different than a day at the office. Don’t plan activities that overtly aim at drawing practical takeaways or leadership lessons as such activities may fail to have an impact.
There are many activities that can be designed in such a way that team participants learn a lot without being forced upon them. Simple activities like sharing experiences, spending time together, or working in close tandem to meet a common goal results in developing a robust bond that is more effective and happens organically.
Company Picnics are Not Team Building Activities
One thing that companies need to learn is that planning a picnic is not a team building activity. There is no goal and no expected result in a picnic. Plan some enjoyable outings with a few fun-filled activities thrown in as learnings and happenings are closely tied to each other. Whenever employees come together to try out a new activity, they invariably share good vibes with each other.
The initial hitch that stops them from interacting with each other is replaced with coming forward and making earnest attempts to communicate and work with each other. Such a change in attitude and working style proves to be quite beneficial for the business. Go for something unique and ensure that participants are forced to come out of their comfort zones. This way, they have no choice but to get together and look for new ways to complete an activity.
Consider it as an investment
Planning and organizing team building activities, games, and events is an excellent investment for the businesses and the results of this investment can be enjoyed for a long time to come. These activities make teams feel appreciated. They are given a chance to lead the team which help them to identify if they have all that takes to become an impressive leader. It also helps businesses to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their employees. They can make optimal use of these strengths and work on weaknesses to convert them into their strong suits.
Team building activity must not be considered as fluff. Willingness to make a real investment is sure to deliver results that are beyond imagination.
Create Positivity in the Workspace
Employees spend a major part of their day at their workspace. They want to work in a peaceful and positive environment that encourages them to create and innovate. If the environment is too toxic or vitiating, it will have a negative impact on their performance. The lack of motivation can hamper their creativity. Thus, management must plan team building activities that bring employees closer to each other, shed inhibitions, indulge in open communications, learn how to trust and respect each other, connect and interact with each other in meaningful ways.
This is sure to bring a remarkable change in the work environment where employees are happy, content, and satisfied. They are encouraged to work together and fulfil common organizational goals.
Most important of all, these activities must not be a one-time affair. It must be made a regular event so that the excitement and positivity in the team keep going. The only challenge is to create interesting opportunities for employees that keep them interested. Simple activities like getting together to celebrate an achievement, assembling for a fast-paced meeting, talk about major projects and more can also keep the team together.
Getting team building activities is also a challenge. You will come to know if you got this activity perfectly right if the team enjoyed a lot, shared a lot of laughs and a sense of camaraderie and excitement is seen which means you are right on the track.
Source: http://trebound.over-blog.com/are-team-building-games-important-for-corporate-world.html