team building
Teambuilding is the collective term for all the activities, training and other efforts a company puts into making teams work better as a whole. It includes everything from icebreakers and trust-building exercises to project work and social events. It is all designed to encourage close-knit teams that collaborate well and support one another in order to achieve goals and improve company culture.
A strong and supportive culture is vital for attracting the best talent. People are more likely to be happy in a job where they feel valued and able to contribute their unique skills. And happy employees are more productive at work. Regular team building keeps the culture strong and helps it to become visible to potential hires, which is why it should be a key part of your recruiting strategy.
You may think that Teambuilding is just about competitive challenges and away-days, but it can also be as simple as a pizza lunch or a game of basketball. Generally speaking, the goal of a teambuilding exercise is to bring the group together in an enjoyable setting and to help them understand each other in a way that might not be possible in the workplace. It is a great opportunity to create new bonds, which will make the teamwork in the office much stronger and more productive.
Is it team building or teambuilding?
Whether your team is remote, hybrid or fully based in the office, a well-functioning team is vital for success. Team collaboration and communication are the cornerstones of a great employee experience. Regular team building will ensure that the right information is shared at the right time and that everyone has the tools they need to work effectively as a team.
Without a strong team, even the most talented individuals can struggle to get the job done. Productivity can grind to a halt if workers are suspicious of each other or if they feel they are being ignored by their peers. When teamwork is in place, workers will want to support one another, which will help them reach their goals.
In addition to improving productivity, a team that is comfortable working with each other will be more likely to share ideas and brainstorm together. This will result in a more innovative and creative output. For example, when a company wanted to refresh their brand, they crowdsourced logo and slogan ideas from their employees and ended up with dozens of great ideas that were used in the final branding.
When choosing a team building exercise, it is important to be aware of the four stages that Bruce Tuckman described in his book Teamwork Theory: forming, storming, norming and performing. This model explains the natural progression of team development. By understanding these four phases, you will be able to choose the right type of team building activity for your company. You should also avoid any team building activities that are too physical or out of the comfort zone for your employees. This can be counter-productive and will not make your teamwork in the office any better.
