10 reasons to take a creative approach to team building

When we think of team building, images of awkward ice breakers and cringe-worthy group craft projects tend to spring to mind. Many employees are reluctant to participate and instead of getting people to engage with one another, they tend to make them want to run for the nearest door…

Creativity inspires collaboration, which is why stepping it up and taking a more creative approach to team building and engagement initiatives is so important.

Here are 10 reasons why it is worth encouraging your employees to engage with one another:

It builds trust & respect: fun, lighthearted interactions in particular help to break down barriers and build more trust and respect between employees. Getting managers involved also sets a more level playing field in the team dynamic that generates mutual respect between both parties.

It helps you build an internal and external brand: building a brand is about more than what you put out into the world; it’s about what goes on internally, too. By matching your external branding to your internal communications and creating an engaged team, you build a group of powerful brand advocates within your company.

Staff have an opportunity express their individuality: allowing your staff to interact in a fun and creative way allows them to reveal their unique strengths and talents. By understanding what makes your employees or colleagues tick, you can identify ways to better leverage their skills and interests.

It encourages open communication and feedback: giving employees the opportunity to speak their mind helps you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your business and identify areas that need improvement. It also gives you the opportunity to address any concerns before they become big issues.

It solves complex problems: the saying “two heads are better than one” certainly rings true here. Encouraging team members to present their challenges to their colleagues instead of struggling alone is a great way to develop better problem solving tactics across the board. Try implementing regular meetings where staff are free to share both their triumphs and their challenges in a safe, supportive space.

It encourages knowledge sharing: sharing knowledge is highly beneficial for both employees and employers. By sharing knowledge within the team, through mentorships or other group sharing activities, individuals can build a stronger, more diverse skillset. Plus, if a team member is to leave the company in the future, that knowledge is retained within the business instead of being lost.

It breaks through the boredom: routine, structured meetings are much more likely to disengage employees – meaning that they end up achieving the opposite of what was intended. Meetings without strict agendas, in alternative locations or with set interactive themes are a great way to break free from the boredom and create an opportunity to collaborate and think outside the box. A meeting may still be compulsory, but it doesn’t have to be a drag.

It increases productivity: employees who are engaged with each other and with their work are a lot more productive than those who just show up to work, sit alone at their desk and give the bare minimum until its time to head home. Dedicating time each week for an engagement activity may seem like it is eating into working hours, but the benefits to productivity levels make it 100% worth it.

It builds long term commitment: the more positive relationships that exist for an individual within the workplace, the more likely they are to stick around. Having a team who are engaged and aligned with the overall vision of the company is crucial to staff retention. Staff turnover is extremely expensive, so investing in loyal staff should be a top priority.

It makes work fun: all work and no play is not a recipe for a team that genuinely enjoys their job! When employees look forward to coming to work and spending time with their co-workers, it shows dramatically in their productivity and performance.

If you’re looking for creative ideas to get your team engaged with each other and your company, check out this article.