subject: Team Building - The Key Points [print this page] Team Building - The Key Points Team Building - The Key Points
Teamwork and cooperation are key parts of being able to successfully work with others in any situation. Often, employers and supervisors will plan team building activities to open the lines of conversation and create a supportive environment. To create an effective and positive teamwork environment, planning a group activity is both effective and an efficient way to maximize and improve communication.Fostering positive team building activity takes focus and consideration for those you are planning the activity for. There are a few primary things that you will want to put together to make it the most effective team building activity it can be. Aspects such as location, atmosphere and the actual activity that will take place can all affect the outcome of the event, both positively or negatively, depending on how and what you do during planning and execution.The first thing you'll want to take care of is ensuring that the location of the activity is easily accessible by the whole team. If there are team members who cannot make it there by their own means, consider providing a method of transportation such as carpooling or taxi vouchers. If certain members cannot attend they will feel left out, and that will negate the purpose of the whole team building activity. Keep in mind that having the event close to your workplace is the easiest.Secondly, deciding on the actual activity to take place has large implications and potential impact on the success of your event. Before planning the activity, have a conversation with your team to determine what different activities they might enjoy. Would an afternoon of mini-putt satisfy the large majority of them, or should you consider a group luncheon? Keep the options as open as possible, and consider each suggestion fairly. Then plan accordingly, and try to keep as many individual preferences satisfied as possible. If your team building event does not take into consideration the preferences of the team, then it will not be as effective at increasing and improving teamwork and attitudes.Finally, keeping the atmosphere of the event pleasant and positive will work wonders at maximizing the effects of your team building event. Try to focus more on working together and enjoying each other's company, even if the conversational topics come off of what you might have expected. As long as the conversation keeps going, and stays positive, the event is going well and positive results will come out. If the event involves a meal, ensure that most people can see each other while seated to maximize the ability to communicate. Maximizing your teamwork potential is as easy as fostering a positive team building atmosphere both from a social perspective and a work perspective. Planning and executing an effective activity simply facilitates the improvement of attitudes, and supports the positive environment that should be a part of every team. With careful consideration, and effective execution, teamwork and communication skills can skyrocket and stay high, keeping you and your whole team happy, positive, and efficient.
