Creative approaches to Team building

 

 

it is a common misconception that is rarely, if at all, corrected: Leaders build teams. Probably mouthed by 

some enthusiastic half-wit to gain the attention of an audience. This is only half the story. The other half is the 

obvious part, needing no guessing at all. It is that simple. Team-members, too, build teams. And make no mistake, 

it is teams that deliver on the 100 different tasks that an organization is doing while keeping it on-track. 

In the hype surrounding the CEOs, MDs, and the rising stars, we forget that it's not only the generals who win 

wars, but also the soldiers too, so to say. And thus, it is finally the team-spirit and bonding that matters. 

That alone decides how well the team collaborates internally and across the organization with other teams - That 

alone decides the success or failure of many initiatives. It forms the core of organizational morale and what it's 

most invisible ambassadors - the employees - feel & say about the business, in public. These and a few other 

crucial factors make team-building an imperative area of focus for organization. But pizza-parties, family outings, 

offsites, night outs & movies are passe. GenY and GenZ, besides the others, demand and deserve something new 

and something unique.

This is where organizations need to get creative and look beyond the usual fun activities. 

Instead, focusing on events and things that brings out the inner aspirations of the employees, makes them 

open up...this is what will count. when the colleagues know each other well, have withstood a minor crisis or 

2 together, they are better positioned to have a stronger footing in the relationship. And these are the outcomes 

that most team building exercises hope for. Ironically, while studied in classrooms or meetings, they are best 

learnt Outdoors. Either in the actual crucible of work, or under the sky: 

Let's look at some creative approaches to team building: 

Adventure Activities:

The great leveler. Beyond the city, outside - in the open air. Think of it this way...at work, the words "Trust" 

and "dependability" take on a whole new meaning or dimension. Who would you trust more?? Would you trust a 

person you have shared pizza with, or a team-member who pulled you to the top, over that obstacle course? 

Yes. See? The bonding you feel. Adventure activities, by their very being, a team-effort and these activities serve 

to build stronger bonds between team members. these bonds are much stronger than bonds built over decaf coffee 

in boardrooms and case studies "4 best ways to Blah, Blah". What's needed is for the team to get moving, resolve 

real life issues - like a colleague stuck in the woods or someone being obese - needs help going up and down the 

trail. Sharing personal experiences while trekking. Being anchor to someone who descends a slope or a cliff. 

These activities help to build rise to trust, open communication, and bonding. Mutually beneficial relationships 

are born. 

Internal clubs:

Across an organization there are bound to be people with more than a few interests and hobbies. 

This is an advantage that is like a low hanging fruit - begging to be eaten. Just like how Syrow coupon  benefits 

companies who are looking for better customer relations. It is a healthy trait for teams to know just how diverse 

and informed the team is. The quiet girl sitting at the HR desk could be a martial artist. 

The office Communications guy could be a stand-up comic. The CEO could be an aspiring chef - knowing 

all these, weaving events around them, telling their stories: makes them much more human. 

Stripping away the "colleague" tag and inserting the "Human" tag instead. Seeing people from a different 

perspective starts building capacities within the organization to include broader points of view, differing angles 

of approach and newer ways to resolve issues. That is where growth starts. people are more comfortable leaving 

their comfort zones. 

Interest Projects: 

Organizations taking a long-term perspective value their employees and thus invest in them. 

The employees - On company time, on company resources - are given freedom to work on a project that 

excites them, and they think has merit. This gives them the access to advice, mentor-ship and resources required, 

besides the obvious advantage of working on something close to their heart. Later, depending on the outcome, 

the project may be absorbed by the company itself. Progressive forward-thinking approaches like these cannot 

only help build huge employee loyalty but also bonding, since more than a few employees would 

have worked across most of the functions of the said project. Their domain views and expertise of 

team-dynamics, project nuance, would be of use to the company. Keeping these long-term perspectives in mind, 

companies are increasingly allowing an innovative approach and an open mind to take over some of these 

decisions about projects which may not seem directly beneficial. But it pays off in the long run for building 

teams and thereby, benefits organizations. 

Conclusions: 

Teams make or break businesses and firms. Thus, it is vital; to have motivated, strong, and well-knit teams. 

Helping the process of building is not an expense, though it may seem that way. No. it is an investment that pays 

tangible dividends, over & over again. Lines of communication, cross-departmental bonds, resilience, 

purpose....all are results of bonding and team building. organizations would do well to invest in the aspirations 

of New-Gen staff and build teams further.