For those who want to excel as a group, here are 9 quick team building exercises for a workplace that will help your organization perform better as a team. Team building activities play an important role in enhancing the capabilities of individuals in numerous ways which ultimately helps a group prosper. These activities are carried out for various reasons such as enhancing communication skills, trust building, strategizing, knowing each other, confidence building, creating a friendly environment so that the individuals perform better.
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Such activities can bring remarkable changes in an individual. Not only do they help in grooming professionally but these activities can lighten the moods of team members as they are engaging and fun-filled. These activities are versatile and address to four major professional ethics such as communication skills, trust building, problem-solving or decision making and adaptability or activity planning. In this article we shall look at some of the activities that encircle these four professional ethics. The idea of such activities is to bring out the best from an individual. The best part about these activities is that there is no age limit. From children to professionals, these exercises can be acquired by any small group, organization, or workpalce for much more efficient performance as a team.
If you are looking for some more activities for team building, don’t forget to check out our post on The 6 Best Company Team Building Activities to Build Workplace Camaraderie.
Now, let’s take a look at these 9 quick team building exercises for a workplace:
9. Road Map Game
This activity is related to planning and strategizing. The game would take no more than thirty minutes. The group is split into two teams, where each team is given a city map. This city map could normally be of the same city where the participants work. The idea is to plan a vacation while keeping in mind certain given parameters such as the amount of money, traveling vehicle, entertainment spots, fuel consumption and any other parameter that members can come up with. Both teams are given thirty minutes to plan the best vacation trip. After they have planned, the teams can have a discussion on their planned trips as to who came up with the better vacation plan.
8. Mine Field
This game is a fun-filled trust building exercise that requires a spacious arena for its execution. The game is simple. Mines are set up in the arena and participants have to cross the mine field without running into them. Participants are divided into a team of two. One of the participants is blindfolded and cannot speak. The other participant cannot enter the mine field and they can only instruct their partner to help them safely cross the mine field. The idea of this activity is to enhance listening skills as well as develop trust among team members.
7. Egg Drop
This activity is one of the messiest yet the funniest activities among 9 quick team building exercises for a workplace . Three to four teams of possibly five members are assigned a single task. The aim is to build an egg packaging that will secure the eggs from damaging while falling from a two to three feet above ground level. Newspapers, tape and straws can be provided for making such a package. The groups are given an hour to come up with an efficient packaging which are put to the test after completion. The activity encircles problem and time management.
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6. Legoman
The game takes an hour and focuses on management and adaptability. It takes nothing more than a set of children’s plastic building blocks. The group is split into two teams and an instructor builds a small lego sculpture. The two groups are assigned a task to replicate the sculpture keeping in mind the color and other specifications. The sculpture is placed at an equal distance from the two teams. One member of each team is allowed at a time to observe the sculpture without touching it and memorize its specs so that he or she could instruct its team members on how to exactly replicate the sculpture. The game ends when one of the groups successfully replicates the sculpture. This game focuses on trust building and memorizing skills.
5. Helium Stick
This ice breaker is a perfect little game for a workplace. All it requires is a stick which you can name as “Helium Stick”. The group is divided into two teams and they sit in two rows facing each other. Participants are asked to point out their right-hand index finger and then they place the stick on top of it horizontally. The idea is to bring down the stick on the table without letting it fall off. If the stick falls, the teams start again until one team successfully achieves the task.
4. Talking in Circles
This is a highly challenging activity that requires team work and trust. A long string that is tied on both ends is to be held waist high by all team members with both hands. The team is then asked to form different shapes without letting go of the string. The game is repeated with members’ eyes closed. It tests problem-solving skills and trusting abilities.
3. Poker Tower
A group of three to five members is given a deck of cards with a pair of scissors. The task is to build the tallest poker tower possible. This game test creativity and teamwork and takes no more than half an hour.
2. Coin Logo
One of the more creative activities among 9 quick team building exercises for a workplace is Coin logo. Every team of 4 – 5 members each is asked to design a logo with stuff they have in their purses such as coins. Pens and markers can also be used to enhance the logo. The leader then explains what led their team to the designed logo. The activity enhances creativity and interpersonal skills.
1. Picture Pieces
Last but not the least in our list of 9 quick team building exercises for workplace is “Picture Pieces”. Get you team members a picture of any character or place and cut it down into pieces. Each member is then given a piece and asked to replicate the piece on a three times larger scale. Once all the members are done, the picture is reassembled. This game focuses on teamwork and observation skills.
