Team building is essential for any business. It helps to create a sense of community and encourages productivity. Not only that, but team building is guaranteed fun and promotes the power of play!
Team building can be defined as “a process that helps people to work better together.” It is a way of fostering communication and collaboration within a team. Team building can help to improve performance, morale, and motivation within a team. Its a win win win!
With summer approaching, it is often a time when businesses start to think about team building programs. Team building in the summer can be a great way to get employees out of the office and into the sunshine. It also allows for more opportunities to bond and build relationships with co-workers.
There are many different types of team building, each with its own benefits however with an increasing workload and a greater need for connection than ever before it can be an overwhelming task trying to choose the best option for your team.
Well we are here to save the day as we have produced your ultimate guide to team building this summer so you can just sit back, relax and let us do all the hard work for you!
First lets take a deeper look at knowing what to look for in a team building program. There’s a lot of talk these days about team bonding and team building. But what’s the difference between the two? And when should you use each? There is often a misconception that team bonding and team building are the same thing. However, they are two very different things with different purposes.
what's the difference between team bonding and team building?
Team bonding is all about creating relationships within a team. It’s about developing trust and rapport.
Team building, on the other hand, is about developing the skills and abilities of each individual. It’s about giving everyone the tools they need to be successful.
So when should you prioritise team bonding and when should you focus on team building?
Well the answer depends greatly on where your teams ’ current development needs lie. Let’s break it down further and put it into the context of building a high performing team. Before a team can ‘build’ success they first must ‘bond’. A team that doesn’t bond will not be able to perform at their best.
Bruce Tuckman’s theory of team development Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing (FSNP) is often used to describe the stages a team goes through in order to become high functioning. Understanding when team bonding vs team building should be applied is an invaluable tool for any leader.
Team bonding should always come first. Why? Because trust is the foundation of any successful team. If your team doesn’t trust each other, they will never be able to perform to their potential. Team bonding activities help to build trust by providing opportunities for team members to get to know each other on a personal level.
Once the team has bonded and developed trust, then you can start to focus on team building. Team building activities help teams to develop the skills and abilities they need to be successful. These activities often involve problem-solving and working together to find solutions.
Now that we understand the difference between team bonding and team building, let’s take a look at some of the different types of team building programs available suited to the summer climate. To make it easier we will categorise these into the four stages of team development.
Forming:
The ‘forming’ stage is all about getting to know each other. It’s when everyone is getting settled into their roles and starting to build relationships. This is where team bonding happens and should be aimed at creating meaningful connections with no regard for skill development…yet. Team activities at this stage should focus only on fun and entertainment, for example, going out for drinks after work or hosting a team event.
Activities for Formers:
City Scramble
City Scramble is a fun adventure where teams will learn how much they know about the city. With a camera, maps, money and a list of items to collect or photograph, teams will be let loose in a scramble around the city. This fun and light hearted program is perfect for the summer months and promoting team bonding and comradery.
Minute to Win It
The challenges will keep coming as teams do battle to become the Minute To Win It champions of your company.
It is like being on a game show without the television cameras in this suspense-filled and engaging team building event!
Play Offs
With a primary focus on ‘play’ this team-building experience is perfect for any team looking to create some healthy competition and build bonds stronger than ever. A short sharp event that will test teams in all aspects of teamwork.
Belbin
For a more structured approach, a profiling tool such as Belbin team roles could be applied here to help the team quickly accept each other’s strengths and weaknesses and where each person fits within the team.
Storming:
The ‘storming’ stage is when those relationships are put to the test. It’s when conflict starts to arise and different viewpoints begin to clash. Team building activities that encourage communication, conflict resolution, and trust can help the team stay on track while team bonding helps to keep relationships strong.
Activities for Stormers:
Lego Legends
Charity team-building activities are an excellent choice since they allow teams to embrace the big picture and bond through a common experience of giving back.
Combining creative flair and LEGO construction skills, this charity program will not only bring out your inner child, but also put a smile on a deserving child’s face when they receive a brand-new box of LEGO.
Survivor
The team will benefit from both team bonding and team building here as both ‘playing’ together and ‘learning’ together will help the team to navigate the storm. Introducing Survivor! Just like its reality TV namesake, Survivor will present many fun and challenging team activities to determine who is your ultimate survivor! We have removed the deserted islands and extreme conditions but still ensure there are many adventures, twists and turns to test the mettle of all participants.
fish!
Based on four key practices, the FISH! Workshop is designed to provide you with easy to follow strategies that help your team feel valued and connected.
When these practices are integrated into your everyday attitude and behavior, the results truly are amazing!
Norming:
Norming is the stage when the team starts to come together and work as a unit. They develop norms and expectations for themselves and for each other. Now that the team has had time to bond, they should be well on their way to developing talents for success.
Activities for normers:
Pipeline
Besides the fact that this hands on program provides a lot of laughs, it is really the buildup as you watch your pipeline structure come together, working through the challenges you face and coming out triumphant (or not, depending on your teamwork skills) before putting it to the final test that gives this program its excitement and power.
Safe Crack
To ‘build’ your team at this stage the focus should be on developing the skills of each individual with an aim towards collective success. Enyer Safe Crack: Your help is needed to identify the leaders of a diamond smuggling ring. That is the case in Safe Crack! Work as a team to sift through the evidence, uncover the combination to a safe of critical clues and identify the culprits.
Out of the Box
With an emphasis on critical and lateral thinking, this charity team program will have participants thinking ‘out of the box’ as they are confronted with a variety of puzzling challenges. Each successful challenge completed will lead to collection of an everyday essential item that teams are told they must accumulate to triumph over their colleagues. The heartwarming twist is each participant will then have the opportunity to donate a box of essentials to someone in their community experiencing homelessness.
Find Your Why
A team-building workshop (we recommend Why?) during the norming stage can help the team identify how to take the team to a whole new level of connectivity and performing and develop a plan to work together to reach their full potential. Knowing your WHY is one of the most important aspects of any business. By taking the steps to clearly define this within your organisation you will see your business flourish, grow and provide clarity on where you are heading and what behaviours will help you get there.
Performing:
Performing is the stage when the team is working at their best. They are cohesive, trust each other, and are able to have difficult conversations. Team building should be regularly applied in the performing stage of team development because it can help to sustain the high level of performance and prevent any potential negative triggers from taking the team backwards.
Activities for Performers:
AppVenture
Blending specially designed custom software with a fast paced scavenger hunt, this program is sure to blow your mind. This unique program that can be run completely remotely will see teams navigate to various GPS located checkpoints guided by a customised mobile app. The challenges won’t stop from the starting gun all the way through to the finish line as teams strive for victory in this high energy thriller!
Bikes for Tykes
Through a series of fun (and slightly competitive) activities, teams will come together with the overall goal of earning enough parts to build the perfect bike. The best part? Well that has to be the smile on a child’s face as they take a look at their brand-new bike for the first time. The impact that this program has on the local community and on the participating teams cannot be matched.
FUMISH
The best activities to apply at this stage are those that support team members to learn new skills and strategies they can apply in the workplace. Based on 25+ years of experience in the industry, this workshop is purposefully designed and developed to give your team the tools they need to create a workplace culture that sets your team up for success, you’ll be left wondering why you didn’t do it sooner!
Bringing your team together can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved when it’s done right. By understanding the difference between team bonding and team building, and when to apply each, you can ensure that your team has the best chance at success.
If you are unsure where your team sits or still feeling overwhelmed contact us for a proposal that’s tailored to your team’s objectives. We’ll take the time to understand your needs and come up with a plan that helps you achieve your goals. Choosing the right activity for your team doesn’t need to be a headache and with the right program in place, you can be sure your team will be thanking you for an amazing summer!
Recent Comments