Team building games are simply exercises or games that help to increase the ability of a group of individuals to work together as a team. These games for team building can be utilized in any situation where there is a need to build a sense of camaraderie, trust, and communication among people who are brought together to achieve common goals. The main goals of any team building game are to elevate the level of commitment of each member of the team and increase productivity by inspiring people to work together.
It is possible to make use of team building games as part of a weekly program to help keep team members fresh and connected with one another. The games can also be used to great effect at weekend retreats, where co-workers can get to know one another in a setting that is outside the office. The best team building games usually are configured to provide an element of fun even as they help to create commitment and a sense of teamwork among the participants.
One example of a simple but effective team building game involves using two buckets and a bungee cord. One bucket is filled with water; the bungee cord is then attached to the bucket. The goal is to empty the contents of the first bucket into the second bucket by using a team effort to position and tip the bucket so that no water spills on the floor during the transfer. While the activity is a lot of fun, it also encourages team members to come up with creative strategies to achieve the goal and also work together to identify the best solution to the problem.
Many team building games encourage the development of trust as part of the work environment. A classic game that is used to great effect is to divide the team members into groups of two. One group member is blindfolded and given a sack. Items are scattered around the area that must be collected in the sack. It is the responsibility of the other group member to guide the blindfolded individual through the area and pick up the items one at a time. During the game, the blindfolded partner has to rely completely on the direction of his or her partner to move in any direction, including stooping to pick up an object. Along with developing trust in the judgment of other members of the team, this particular game also encourages strong communication between the group members.
Various team building games challenge people to work together in order to overcome obstacles, identify strategies and to combine talents in order to effectively complete a task. Most of the games are structured to only last for a few minutes, and are followed by a time for the participants to share what they learned from the exercise. Team building games can help to bring out hidden talents, resolve conflicts within the team, and in general make it possible for everyone to function as one cohesive unit. When this happens, employment within the team and the company overall becomes a positive experience that makes the completion of important tasks much easier for everyone.
