Training within the business world no longer involves hours of boring conferences. Psychologists have found that the most-effective methods for training groups are team-building exercises. Most employees already have what are referred to as “hard skills,” such as educational degrees, software experience, or machine operating skills. “Soft skills” like communication, cohesiveness, and problem-solving abilities are all taught during team-building. Below you will find solid reasons team-building activities should be included in your company’s training budget.
Improved Employee Communication
Team-building has been shown to break down barriers between individuals. Most employees interact with only small groups of coworkers to accomplish their daily tasks. Team-building exercises break people out of these groups and give them a chance to interact with different coworkers. Solving a problem together can have a lasting impact on employees’ communication abilities. The casual interaction will destroy barriers and eventually create better productivity in the office.
Make It Fun!
Many people roll their eyes at the mention of team-building days. Making the day “corporate” or including lectures will work against what you are trying to accomplish. If management wishes to have a follow-up to the team-building event, wait until everyone is back in the office.
Psychologists have found that happiness and learning are very closely related. When employees are engaged and having fun, they are more likely to retain the soft skills they are learning. Just as with hard skills, the more soft skills employees learn, the more successful they will be.
Mission: Teamwork
The goal of team-building exercises is the development of teamwork and cohesion in the office. Monotony can be a morale-killer, so breaking up the routine with a team-building day is always a good idea. Ideally, this team day will build new employee relationships and strengthen existing ones.
Strengthening employee relationships will directly increase morale. When employees have high morale, their productivity, effectiveness, and initiative also increase. If the team-building exercises are successful, your employees will return to the office more engaged and enthusiastic than ever before.
Sources:
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-team-building-1979.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2014/10/14/the-power-of-pause/#30fca7717368
http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/10-benefits-of-corporate-team-building-activities/