Team-building, but make it enjoyable

Everyone’s talking about it — millennials want it all.  

Reasonable house prices. Student-loan forgiveness. Dairy alternatives.  

Workplaces with healthy, happy cultures.  

And employers are trying to give them what they want. (At least the culture thing, and maybe the dairy-alternative thing.) 

Obviously, no matter what generation employees are in, they appreciate a positive work environment.  

Does it matter? 

According to Jobvite surveys: 

• 81% of workers say company culture is important to their decision to apply for a job 

• 15% said they’ve turned down job offers because they didn’t like the company culture 

• 35% of people who left a job within the first 90 days say they did so because the company culture didn’t work for them 

So companies are trying anything and almost everything to transform their buttoned-up, beige cube cultures into vibrant, dynamic environments where people can thrive.  

For a while, pizza parties (now with three slices per person) skyrocketed. Jeans Day became Jeans + Hawaiian Shirt Day. Eventually that evolved into Wear Whatever You Want Just Please Come in and Talk to Someone Day. 

But nothing seemed to work. Why? 

It’s hard to build culture and camaraderie in the same rooms that have housed so much of your team’s anxiety. (Or in rooms located miles apart — shout out to the WFH gang.)  

If you really want people to relax, bond and grow stronger as a group, you need to get out from under the fluorescent lights and venture into the larger world. 

Out there among the weather and the strangers, there are all kinds of ways you can get to know your coworkers.  

Ways that won’t make you cringe, like we did when we Googled “best team-building activities.” 

One article suggested a sing-along where team members take turns making up lyrics to a well-known tune.  

This is not that article.  

Ask your team what they want to do, but give them options, too.  

Some people are bubbling over with ideas they want to (sometimes, have to) share. Others…not so much. But the first step to successful team building is getting your team behind the idea in the first place. You want people to actually want to attend your event — whatever it is.  

Ask your team what interests them, what they’ve been meaning to try or what sounds like a terrible idea. (For example, your ideal outdoor adventure may sound like a forced march to someone else.)  

Send out a list of ideas, but make sure to leave space for other suggestions and objections. 

Schedule your activities during work hours.  

There are few ideas that will please everyone, but one approach is sure to make 95% of your team happy — an excuse to duck out of work early to enjoy themselves.  

While any time between 9 and 5 will do, we suggest hosting your event at 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. That way folks don’t have the rest of the workday looming in the background while they try to enjoy themselves.  

Chilling > Competition 

If your team’s comprised of energetic, hyper-competitive go-getters, sure — make your activity a competition. If, however, you have a mixed bag of personalities and responsibilities, that approach might backfire. For example, Teri and Carla may end up screaming orders at poor Terry and Carlos, who have no interest in building a record-setting tower out of dried spaghetti and marshmallows.  

Looking for inspiration? Try these ideas: 

1. Volunteering 

Giving back alone can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. But giving back as a team can grow that experience into something even more meaningful. Organize a day where you can all volunteer at a local charity, food bank or community garden. You’ll leave feeling good about what you did and who you did it with.  

2. Gaming Rooms 

Virtual reality gaming rooms are quickly becoming the move.  Especially for teams comprised of tech-savvy folks who enjoy gaming in their spare time. Behind those nifty VR goggles, you can launch yourselves into space, puzzle through a virtual escape room or even fight off hordes of drooling zombies — whatever puts a charge in your laptop. 

3. Getting Crafty 

Not all team-building activities need to include a teamwork component. People also build bonds through sharing relaxing activities and casual conversation. Opportunities for both are everywhere — from painting classes to pottery studios and custom candle-making. Pro tip: Schedule events like these during the holidays and help relieve some shopping stress.  

4. Virtual Happy Hour…featuring trivia! 

 They’re easy to host anywhere, any time. And they involve drinks. That’s why so many teams turned to virtual happy hours during the pandemic. But it’s 2024, and we don’t talk about that anymore. (Except we just did — sorry).  

Anyway…we recommend adding a little spice to your marg mix by combining your happy hour with trivia led by team members. Every month, nominate a team member to be that afternoon’s trivia host — and encourage them to pick a topic that interests them. You could even split your team into teams. You’ll foster healthy competition (if that’s your thing) and learn something about your co-workers.  

(P.S. Once, our boss had mini charcuterie boxes delivered to our homes before the party. This isn’t necessary…unless you’re incredibly amazing.) 

Here are some other ideas for showing your employees the love.  

Repeat what works. Ditch what doesn’t. 

Did your genius idea fall flat? That’s okay! The more you get to know your team, the easier it will be to plan activities that get people excited.  

And if you’re planning something super cool – or want to talk about other options for engaging your team – be sure to invite us along for the ride!