Team-Building Activites for Staff
An article dated 1st December 2007 on the Human Resources website http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk discusses the value of team building exercises, which still seem to be very much in vogue in today’s business world.
Many companies feel their employees benefit from these events, and that new and strengthened working relationships can be formed outside of the working environment.
As a manager it is important to bear in mind how some people feel about being put into these situations. However good you are at motivating your team and improving their performance overall, you will always come across one or two people who are not naturally comfortable with being put into a team building situation.
As the article suggests, it is the voluntary activities - such as the five a side football team mentioned – that seem to have the most positive impact on workers of all levels. No one performs well when they are forced to do something they dislike, especially when that means having to take part in an activity in front of their workmates.
Team building certainly has its place, but it’s important to organise a well rounded programme of events that has something for everyone. Rather than taking everyone out on a one off paintballing event, why not set up a football team, or plan an activity day where there are a number of different activities to choose from?
It’s not ideal to simply assume that everyone will be able to take part in a specific event, so if you have one day in mind for getting everyone together, make sure it’s either voluntary or you have different things for different people to get involved in.
Before the day itself, try testing the waters by issuing a questionnaire to your staff, asking for their opinions and suggestions for what kind of activities this day could include. Make this anonymous if you wish – after all it should be the comments which matter, not the people who make them.
You won’t be able to please everyone, but listening to people’s needs can help you to construct a team building day that will benefit most if not all of your team members. It also takes the important step of opening up a dialogue between management and workers, which will always help in building your knowledge of your team and how they work.
Perhaps the main benefit of team building exercises is gained not in the short term but in the long term, as you begin to gauge what kind of events your team members enjoy, and tailor future events accordingly.
With time and attention, team outings can prove to be the kind of event everyone looks forward to. If you don’t take part in any already, maybe now is a good time to start?
Here are some companies in London that we know well and are worth looking at:
Jelly and Custard - Events and Team-Building Activities
© Copyright Hannah McNamara 2007-8
For more information on ways to motivate your people and build a real team spirit, contact Hannah McNamara at HRM Coaching Ltd on 020 7939 9910 or visit www.hrmcoaching.com.
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