Good teamwork is a very important attribution to success in company culture. When employees are able to communicate effectively and trust each other they create a more productive environment that benefits both themselves and their company. This is why many companies make sure to involve their employees in team-building activities. These exercises can vary in what they entail, but the overarching goal is for employees to build strong, reliable relationships with each other.
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Walter Sabrin, a chief talent officer at Vensure, recognizes the impact team building has had for his company and leadership role.
“Team building is a crucial aspect of fostering a positive and productive work environment. It goes beyond mere social activities; it is about creating a cohesive unit that works together towards common goals,” he says. “Effective team building can significantly enhance communication, collaboration, and overall job satisfaction among employees. One of the primary benefits of team building is improved communication. When team members engage in activities outside of their usual work environment, they have the opportunity to interact in a more relaxed and informal setting. This can break down barriers and encourage open dialogue, leading to better understanding and cooperation in the workplace. For instance, in our company, we organize events where leaders cook for the team. This not only allows leaders to show their appreciation but also creates a platform for casual conversations that might not happen in a typical office setting.”
Team building exercises also create a strong sense of belonging and inclusivity. This helps to increase the mutual respect between employees and also helps bridge cultural and social gaps. An inclusive workplace allows employees to feel supported and valued. It encourages individual growth that creates benefits for the employee and the company.
At Northern Trust, Senior Vice President LaDonna Corn shares how her company involves employees in team building.
“Weekly team meetings as well as celebrating our wins are just one of the many ways we have been able to build our teams. We also have two amazing award programs; one is called Celebrate Great. Partners get a bucket of points in which they can award to their fellow co-workers for helping out, being supported or being client centric,” she says. “We are also grateful to have a strong employee engagement presence in our company, which has helped not only team building, but inter-team building. This environment has also helped to allow our employees to network and learn from employees they may not have interacted with on a day-to-day basis, which has helped pave the way for career growth within the company.”
There are many different ways in which team building can be done and prove to be successful. Some activities involve more physical involvement while others involve more mental stimulation. See below for 10 team building options in Arizona that companies can use in order to create a stronger, more successful work environment.
Top 10 team-building activities
Topgolf: Topgolf is a fun golf entertainment venue paired with food, beverage and music. Just like driving-range practice, players hit microchipped balls and aim at targets placed around the range in order to earn points. There are several dozen bays available to rent per hour, perfect for groups looking to enjoy a session of high-tech golf and a couple of drinks.
North Valley Escape Room: North Valley Escape Room gives players the opportunity to work together in order to find clues and solve puzzles. There are multiple themed rooms to choose from, each with their own challenges and mysteries. Depending on the room they choose, players are given specific background information on their roles and what their mission is.
Bowlero: Bowlero is a bowling alley featuring an arcade and sports bar. Players are able to rent a lane for multiple games and enjoy food and beverage. Bowlero is the perfect entertainment venue for groups looking to socialize and master their bowling skills.
Breakthrough Smash Room: This highly physical activity allows players to blow off some steam and safely smash objects. After being given the proper safety gear of gloves, a helmet and a jumpsuit, players get to choose from hammers, baseball bats and more. They’re designated to their own rage room where they can release their emotions through destroying everyday objects.
Camelback Mountain hike: Camelback Mountain is a premier hiking destination for the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. With different trails to choose from, groups can decide their hiking level of comfort and challenge each other to complete their preferred trailhead. At the same time, they can take in the beautiful surrounding nature that is Arizona.
The Original 4 Winery Tour with Charcuterie: This wine tasting experience in Sedona is a peaceful, sightseeing event where groups can properly socialize, relax, and enjoy the benefits of a wine tour. An air-conditioned vehicle departs from Sedona and carries passengers to some of the region’s top vineyards. A picnic-lunch is also served where guests can enjoy their wine tastings and even their own personal charcuterie board.
Techno Rally: App-based Scavenger Hunt from FireFly Team Events: A high-tech scavenger hunt created to challenge teams and promote communication skills. Players use their phones to complete as many photo or video missions as they can before the time runs out. These missions are tailored to the groups’ personalities, interests and activity goals.
The Brush Bar: The Brush Bar is a calm, painting experience where groups get to be creative and enjoy alcoholic beverages. Depending on the preference of the group, The Brush Bar offers sessions with or without instructions. All supplies are provided for by the painting studio including a professional instructor to inspire creativity.
Office Recess: Office Recess is specifically designed for corporate team building and offers a variety of events to choose from such as Field Day, Archery Tag, and Lawn Game Olympiad. Just like an adult version of recess in grade school, teams are encouraged to compete with one another, let loose and most importantly have fun. Most of the activities are physical and include strategic thinking.
Outrider Rooftop Lounge: Sometimes a good team building exercise simply includes going out with coworkers in a relaxing setting like the Outrider Rooftop Lounge. This cocktail bar provides food and beverages, as well as an outstanding view of Camelback Mountain. Teams can expect to enjoy each other’s company as well as the laidback environment of the Outrider Rooftop Lounge where they can break the ice and get to know each other better.
