You can master collaboration with a team building event – here’s how!

In almost every job advertisement, “working collaboratively” or “ability to work as part of a team” is mentioned as a key skill. It’s no wonder, as most organisations perform at their best when everyone pulls together to achieve a goal.

However, a study by TeamStage found that 39% of employees report a lack of collaboration in their workplace.

Even if you’ve purposely hired people whose collaborative skills are evident, it’s crucial to keep developing them – both for their own professional growth and for your business to thrive. Team building is one of the best tried-and-tested ways of helping people to master collaboration, and have fun doing it!

With the rise of remote and hybrid working, it’s easy for teams to become more distant from each other and to find themselves communicating less effectively. Communication is the root of collaboration. Yet emails and texts can be misconstrued, technical difficulties in video calls can lead to misunderstandings, and with less time together in an office, the social connections which help to make work more than just a mundane necessity fall by the wayside. Even within an office environment, the daily stresses and regular interruptions can hinder communication which in turn halts the development of collaborative skills.

What’s the answer?

Team building days are a brilliant and effective way to foster the level of collaboration which can lead your business to success. Whether your colleagues are already communicating well and just need a chance to flex their talents, or are finding it more challenging to collaborate, perhaps among organisational changes or restructures, getting away from the screens and desks to take part in a team building activity will benefit everyone.

A working culture of psychological safety is a vital factor in getting the best out of every team member – this means creating a culture of openness where ideas can be shared without fear of judgment. A key element of developing psychological safety is trust, and team building events are a perfect out-of-office opportunity to cultivate trust among colleagues – whether it be watching the boss being willing to be laughed at in an It’s a Knockout activity or listening to your quietest co-worker confidently directing you to victory in a boat race.

Workplace politics are a part of life, no matter what organisation or industry you’re in, and all you can do is give your team the tools to handle any conflicts in a way which impacts them and their work as little as possible. Activities like raft building or baking challenges are great for this as colleagues can practise managing conflict in a low-stakes, enjoyable environment.  

There are so many options for team building events that no matter what your interests and priorities, there will be one to suit you and your team. Get in touch with us at events@tag-events.com to find out how we can help your business by organising the ideal team building event for your organisation, and help your team master the art of collaboration.