5 reasons why team building actually works!
TLDR: Team building improves connection and communication, boosts morale and retention, reveals strengths for better delegation and development, and reinforces company culture. Regular, enjoyable away days - rather than one-offs - produce long-term productivity and happier teams.
“There’s no ‘I’ in team guys!” “Teamwork makes the dreamwork!” “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much!”
OK, OK, these familiar sayings might trigger an eye roll but seriously, they are all so true. For a cohesive team to work efficiently and proactively they need to work well together and bounce off each other’s strengths. So, to build a strong group of go-getters – you’ll find that good team building exercises (*ahem, run by us!) can really make all the difference.
So if your company is looking for positive long-term effects whereby boosted productivity, happy staff and better results are a constant, then keep on reading to understand why team building and away days really are worth it.
1. It brings people together
Bringing people together is so important, now more so than ever. With the past few of years moving towards remote/hybrid working, team events are a beneficial way to get teams chatting and understanding how each team member works whether in-person or virtually; networking is always a good thing!
2. Encourages better communication
Communication is key to any team. Sometimes, certain employees might not have the confidence to march on up to another department and strike up work chat, hiding behind email conversations instead. But, with a few team building events under everyone’s belt, you’re breaking down barriers and encouraging healthy workplace communcication.
3. Include these types of team building days with a cause for celebration
Team building is work to some extent but ultimately, you want your employees to enjoy themselves so much that they won’t dread the next get-together. Investing in these kind of team events shows the business is invested in the staff and their wellbeing which tends to mean that employees are more positive about their job and the company they work for, which results in retaining that talent.
4. It helps build a stronger team
Understanding who is best at what and where others may need support can really help make a team stronger. Certain team building exercises or away days can define do-ers from thinkers; it can help employers delegate better as stated by Thomas R. Horton, in Delegation and Team Building: No Solo Acts Please, as well as identify progress paths for employees to strengthen their skillsets.
5. It helps employees understand the company culture better
A good team building event day (hosted by The Big Smoke Events, of course!) can be a chance for the company to reiterate its core values and outline its culture, so everyone is reading from the same hymn sheet.
It’s worth stating though, that one team building day of fun isn’t the answer to any problems and hurdles your company might face. It’s a work in progress. Teams need to feel supported regularly so when it comes to building team-work strength, take it slowly and practice it gradually. Make them regular during work hours diary entries and make them fun, and you’ll no doubt see a really positive change over time in your team AND business as a whole.
Have you been on any away days before? If so, why and how were they memorable?