Let’s get an overdue retirement party for some of these team building activities. The feature that used to appear cutting edge, is now groan inducing for employees. This team building does no good – Five outdated exercises:
The Trust Fall
The iconic falling-backwards-into-the-arms-of-your-peers trust fall is the ultimate example of a team building event gone horribly wrong. It leads to physical distress, paranoia for those with lingering trust issues and real safety worries. Trust is not constructed from forced physical vulnerability. Current alternatives stress psychological safety which usually revolves around speaking up and solving problems together.
Forced Personal Sharing
Professional boundaries are crossed by icebreakers like the one where employees have to reveal their fears or explain about their childhood. Not everyone is comfortable with the gossipy grapevine telling workmates some of their more intimate histories. Play it safe but also try to establish connection around work related discussions or common experiences that are more appropriate.
Embarrassing Role-Play
At the other end of the spectrum, a lot of drama type exercises like role play can have people feeling embarrassed or demotivated. Introverts particularly dread these activities. Good team building doesn’t always mean exposure or running around outside the realm of professional norms.
Competitive Sports for Non-Athletes
Games like paintball or go-karting, or the dreaded sports days only serve to exclude people who are less physically able while also pitting team members against each where someone always loses. If you opt for fitness, make sure that it is inclusive and focuses on involvement more than competition like Corporate Team Building Activities at www.270climbing.com/group-activities/corporate-team-building
Three-Legged Races and Egg-and-Spoon
It seems patronising to treat adults as if they are children in a playground. Your team deserves something that respects their intelligence and professional ability.
What Works Instead
Today team building is authentic co-operation, challenges in finding solutions to problems together or creative workshops / charity projects.
Ditch the trust fall. Your team will thank you.
