Team Building Events: Are They Cheesy or Effective?

Late one evening, during a planning meeting for a new project, the topic of team building events came up. It was a discussion I used to think everyone thought was just cheesy. But as we delved further, I realized that some people indeed found value in these events. They would even express feelings of community and deeper connection. This made me reconsider the effectiveness of team building events and how they impact employee engagement and communication.

The Perception: Cheesy and Unnecessary

From my personal experience, team building events that are centrally planned and mandated often feel uninspired. The organizers usually have an idea to bring everyone together for some training or activity. The goal may be to foster a sense of unity, but the outcome is often more about the organizer getting their experience or idea out of the way. This is why we commonly hear that "We've learned so much about one another!" It's a common phrase, but it often rings hollow.

On the other hand, there are organic team-building moments that don't feel as regimented or forced. For instance, inviting a colleague or a manager to a coffee or lunch can create a much more authentic connection. Natural conversations and shared human interaction can build team spirit more effectively than any structured event. It's the organic moments that stick with us, rather than the forced activities.

The Importance of Communication and Trust

While we might find team building events to be a bit cheesy in the traditional sense, they do serve a purpose of opening communication and building trust. These foundational elements are crucial for a functioning team. Trust and open communication cannot be forced through artificial situations; they must come from genuine interactions and understanding.

Navigating Beyond Obstacle Courses and Trust Falls

While teams have indeed moved on from the classic cheese-filled team building activities like obstacle courses and trust falls, the core concept remains the same: creating a cohesive team. The point is to get people to act like people, not just in their professional capacities. Understanding your colleagues beyond just their job roles can make you more flexible, cooperative, and willing to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Newer team building ideas focus on activities that align more closely with real-world scenarios. For example, hosting coffee together, playing board games, bowling, or participating in escape rooms can be effective. These activities allow team members to interact in less artificial environments. They can reveal more about each other's personalities and work styles and foster a genuine sense of teamwork. However, if the event is intended to teach the team how to behave in a structured manner, it often fails to deliver the intended benefits. The goal should be to build human connections, not just team performance.

Personal Experience and Insights

I have personally hosted and attended numerous team building events over the years. Some were planned with the best of intentions but lacked authenticity. Others, naturally occurring, led to deeper connections and better teamwork. When the events were intended to build human bonds, they were highly effective. When the primary goal was to teach, they were often ineffective.

Effective team building is not about the activity or event itself but about the quality of the interactions and the connections that arise. It's about creating an environment where people can genuinely connect, communicate, and trust each other. This foundation allows teams to function more cohesively and efficiently, enhancing overall productivity and satisfaction.