Anyone who has gone through a company onboarding process, orientation, and the like would have probably encountered role-playing simulations or interactive games that are mandatory in the company. Typically, these sorts of activities are not favorites among the workforce.
Team Building Activities are supposed to be fun, educational, and engaging. Properly implemented (rather than forced), these activities help the team members understand one another – about their problem-solving and cognitive skills, creativity, etc.
Among a variety of games and activities, some will help isolate your team’s weaknesses and strengths. Here are three team-building games that are not only fun but also an explicit test of character:
Silver Lining
Activity Time: Approximately 5-6 minutes
Players: 2+
Tools: None
Instructions:
- Team member one is instructed to share a negative life experience with team member two. This experience can be either a personal or work-related situation.
- Member one discusses the same experience again, but this time the focus is on the positive aspects only.
- Partner two helps explore the positive aspect (silver lining) of the negative experience. The game continues until all the players have translated negatives into positives.
Objective: The participants discover how to reframe negative situations into positive learning experiences as a team. This activity aids in fostering more exceptional communication skills, along with developing the thinking skills beneficial for nearly all work and personal life situations.
Treasure Hunt
Activity Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Players: Two or more small groups
Tools: Pen, paper, and timer
Instructions:
- Split the group into teams of two or more.
- List several group activities, the sillier they are, the better. For example, tasks can include taking a selfie with a stranger, taking a picture of a random object, adding a foolish word to the end of each spoken sentence, etc.
- Give the list to each team with a completion deadline (time frame).
- Set the timer for one hour. Whichever team completes the most tasks in the shortest time wins.
Objective: This activity creates a bonding experience, encouraging your team members to work with colleagues from other departments.
The Rope Square
Activity Time: 15 – 30 minutes
Players: 5 – 20 people
Tools: Several feet of rope and blindfolds (enough for each participant)
Instructions:
- Instruct your co-workers to stand in a circle while holding a piece of the rope.
- Select half of the group to be “speakers.” These participants will be the only players allowed to talk during the activity.
- Instruct everyone to put on their blindfold and place the rope on the floor.
- Make everyone walk a short distance away from the circle.
- Set the timer for your desired time (fifteen to thirty minutes or whatever your preference is).
- Ask everyone to walk back and try to form a square with the rope, without removing their blindfolds.
Objective: This activity seeks to foster communication and leadership skills. By instructing half of the team to be silent, this game introduces an element of trust, forcing the players to guide each other creatively.
Going Forward with Team Building
Overall, the outcomes of these team building activities show the strengths (and weaknesses) that your team can build upon and use to improve productivity.
Often in the corporate world, monotony has its way of creeping into the everyday work-week. Introducing these games will not only break up the boredom but also create a higher degree of comradery among your cohorts. With a little time for play, you will have not only an energetic workforce but also a much more creative atmosphere.
