As adults, we spend most of our waking hours at work, and therefore it is natural that we would want our place of work to be motivating, positive and rewarding. Striving for a good work-life balance is crucial, however it is equally necessary for people to feel that their company is interested in creating a healthy working environment that invests in its employees’ relations and mental health. One way of doing this is by introducing team building days as part of the company culture. While some companies may think of such activities of costly in terms of time and expenses involved, the advantages of team building heavily outweigh the disadvantages. This is because team building activities have a wide variety of benefits that can strengthen relationships between employees and make for a better work atmosphere.
Here are some benefits that come out of team building activities:
- Better working relationships
Life at work can be fast-paced, and this can sometimes mean that colleagues don’t have the opportunity to bond with one another. Team building activities can help with employees getting to know each other in a fun and relaxed environment. It can also support newer employees to interact with other members in the team, and can additionally help to improve communication all around. Team building can also help with making management seem more approachable, thus making employees feel more at ease.
- Discovering strengths and talents
Most of the time, we rarely get to know our colleagues on a personal level because we are focused on being productive at the place of work. Team building activities provide the opportunity for colleagues to get to know about other people’s strengths and hidden talents that would otherwise go unnoticed. Perhaps you may get to know that your colleague is a talented singer or artist, and that another is very good at writing or has great leadership skills. Some of these skills and talents may prove useful at the place of work, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved!
- Increased morale and motivation
Having something as exciting as team building activities a few times a year can help your team increase their overall morale and motivation when it comes to work. Staff members like to know that they are cared for and that they are being rewarded for doing good work within the company. Engaging in fun team building activities generates more enthusiasm among staff, that will in turn be reflected at the workplace, thereby creating a fun and positive environment to work in.
- Improved mental and physical health
Getting out of the office and enjoying a few hours of team building can help with your employees’ physical and mental health. It is certainly much more active than sitting at a desk all day, thus it is great for people’s physical health. Outdoor activities are also known to reduce stress and anxiety, therefore improving one’s mental health as well. Resultantly, this is also beneficial for the company because staff are less likely to call in sick for work if they are physically and mentally healthy.
- Increased productivity and success
Team building activities help to create a sense of belonging at the place of work. Team members are more likely to feel that they are working for a common goal, therefore increasing productivity at the place of work. Additionally, a workplace that is only focused on work can create burnout amongst its employees. Therefore, dedicating time for team building activities can help employees to relieve stress and be more productive on the job.
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Pamela Borg is a counsellor who enjoys working therapeutically with adults experiencing various issues. These include general mental health and wellbeing, gender, sexuality, relationship issues.
References:
Chen, J. (2021). 15 Benefits of Team Building Activities at Work in 2021. Retrieved from: https://teambuilding.com/blog/benefits-of-team-building
Dedmon, C. (2019). The 7 Hidden Benefits of Team-Building Activities. Retrieved from: https://www.hrmorning.com/articles/team-building-activities/
Share Discovery Village (2020). The Benefits of Team Building Activities. Retrieved from: https://www.sharevillage.org/benefits-of-team-building-activities/