subject: Team Building Tips That Work In Any Company [print this page] Team Building Tips That Work In Any Company
Even people who spend the majority of their days working alone tend to effect or be affected by the work of others. It is very rare that any person operates in total isolation from others at all levels. This makes developing teams one of the most essential ways to improve the productivity of any workgroup, no matter how large or small it is. Team building tips help staff to improve trust and communication and be more engaged in their work roles.
One of the best team building tips is to let workers experience first-hand what others on their team do. They can switch jobs for a portion of the day, walking in the shoes of the other person. In many cases, this provides them with a renewed appreciation for the contributions of each team member. People frequently say they had no idea what was involved in a co-worker's job until they actually performed it. In addition to the bonding that occurs, team members become aware of how their work impacts others and can streamline processes to make work easier for those on their team.
Team building exercises like wellness programs that revolve around relaxation and nutrition are becoming popular. These can take over once the group has tired of an office scavenger hunt or Olympics. This is one of the team building tips that can be employed throughout the year whenever the team seems to be dragging or extremely stressed. Get them out of the office and to a place where they can engage in yoga, meditation, and healthy eating seminars.
Contests are great activities for team building because they encourage both cooperation and healthy competition. As team building tips go, this one should be employed sparingly so it does not lose its luster. Prizes, even when they are cash awards, become less appealing when they are offered every week. The day before or after a holiday is a great time to incorporate a contest.
Team building tips that always prove successful are incorporating group meals during the workday. Order pizza or have one department make breakfast for another and watch everyone flock to the cafeteria. In addition to being a great way to show appreciation for workers, this gets everyone together at a location other than their desks.
It may surprise some to know that mentorships and training programs are effective exercises for building teams. Many workers enjoy developing skills and learning new things. They appreciate being able to attend seminars within or outside of the office. Allowing more experienced co-workers to serve as mentors builds bonds that often extend outside of the office building.
These are just a few team building tips that should be embraced by any workgroup. When a company gets stumped while trying to think of others or make these more fun over the years, they should turn to the employees for suggestions. Workers have been known to come up with some of the greatest team building exercises and they are eager to provide their input- all they need to do is be asked.
