Business owners are constantly looking for ways to make their company more profitable and successful, and motivated employees can make the difference between success and failure. But how do you motivate your employees?
Team building activities and residentials are one way to get your staff working together and to their potential. Lot’s of businesses overlook team bonding exercises either because of the expense or the time cost that it involves but the most successful companies take full advantage of it and reap the rewards long-term.
By appreciating your staff and encouraging the development of skills and collaboration, any business or sports team are going to prosper.
Here, we reveal some of the benefits of team building activities that you can expect to see afterwards.
13 Benefits of Team Building Activities
1. Better Communication
Communication between staff and departments is the key to success. Team building exercises encourage staff to communicate with each other to complete tasks and solve problems. By putting people in a fun and relaxing environment outside the workplace, you will encourage everyone to relax, be themselves and open up to others.
An example activity to encourage improved communication would be plank walking where every member of the team must communicate effectively in order to walk in sync.
2. Increased Productivity
Better communication and collaboration will have a positive knock-on effect on productivity levels. By working together on a common goal, duplication of work is decreased, there is less friction and resistance, and therefore better output from each staff member.
This is one of the most sought after goals that employers look to achieve when taking part in team-building activities.
3. Improved Morale
One of the top benefits of team building activities is improved morale in the office. An enthusiastic and positive workforce that feel they are cared for will radiate that feeling throughout the office, creating an environment that is nice and fun to work in.
Team exercises and games that improve morale can help break down barriers between employees and give ideas to bosses as to how to create and keep a good atmosphere in the office.
4. Increase in Motivation
Taking part in something new and exciting such as a team bonding exercise increases staffs motivation as they know that they are being cared for and will be rewarded for their good work.
This increase in motivation should help improve productivity levels, morale and confidence in each others ability.
5. Leadership Qualities Identified
Employers and managers can identify leaders within the workforce while taking part in team-building activities as they take control of problem-solving tasks and positively work with and encourage other members of the team.
While taking part in a team game such as ‘Blindfold Shape Game’, leaders will communicate effectively with everyone and find solutions to get the correct answers.
6. Creativity is Encouraged
Activities such as raft-building encourage staff to think and get creative while designing their raft that must float on the water. Encouraging the workforce to be creative and use their initiative can have amazing effects on an organisation as staff will feel trusted to think outside the box and find solutions to potential problems.
Fresh ideas can keep a company ahead of the pack and opens a wide range of possibilities.
7. Increase in Confidence Levels
Team building days can increase employees personal confidence and also confidence in their colleague’s abilities. An increase in confidence will give your workforce the inner courage to express new ideas and depend on others within the group to be able to complete tasks that are necessary to make a company successful.
8. Improved Mental Health
Problem-solving challenges and physical activities are good for peoples mental health. By proving that you are capable of completing challenges you will gain a huge boost in confidence and self-esteem.
Getting out and taking part in physical activities is also a great way to clear the head and feel healthier which will have a great impact on a person’s mental health.
9. Improved Physical Health
Giving your staff a day out of the office where they aren’t sitting at a desk all day is a great way to promote improving physical health. Team building activities are much more active than typing emails and making phone calls all day!
Businesses cannot function if their staff are missing days because they are physically unwell and that is why promoting good physical health through team building is important.
Click here to read the Health Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking.
10. Responsibility
In a team-building game, every member of staff has to contribute otherwise, they are letting the team down. Team games reinforce the responsibilities that everyone has and this will hopefully manifest into the workplace.
11. Trust
Getting to know your work colleagues better personally helps to develop trust. This is a major benefit of team building activities as people in the workplace will know each other capabilities and interests, leading to better collaboration with tasks and improved morale.
12. Respect
While working together on problem-solving tasks and team games, a level of respect is gained between employees because they can see that their colleagues are there to help them and they can also identify skills and qualities that each other have.
13. Lots of fun!
Creating a fun environment between colleagues and teammates can help in so many ways from staff turnover and sick days to productivity and in turn, profits. Team building is a whole lot of fun and it is a great way for staff to see another side of their colleagues that they may not normally see at work.
As you can see, team building activities are not just for a jolly day out of the office – they are in fact an essential part of the business and a brilliant way to get your staff motivated.
How can we help?
If you want to learn more about team building days or residentials, contact us today and we will be happy to help. Our staff have nearly 40 years of experience working with groups of all sizes and abilities and will be able to tailor a programme to suit your companies needs.
Share Discovery Village is an NI registered charity and our mission is to provide opportunities to both disabled and non-disabled people, and develop programmes that are affordable and meet the needs of our visitors.
Read more:
Check out our list of the 10 Best Outdoor Team Building Activities.
