Top 10 Team Development Activities For Your Business

Team development activities help employees get to know each other and learn about their unique personality traits, strengths and weaknesses. This information can reduce small conflicts between members of the team and promote cohesive working relationships to achieve your business goals.

Whether you’re onboarding a new employee or just looking to improve team morale, there are a wide variety of team building activities that can be easily organized and implemented in the workplace.

1. Undercover Boss

Bosses who go undercover in their own companies learn about the challenges that their employees face every day. They also find out what motivates them to work hard.

Undercover bosses often make decisions that affect the whole team. This is a good way to identify problems and make changes that benefit everyone.

In some cases, this leads to a move from Norming to Performing, which is a great way to strengthen the team and make them more efficient.

For instance, O’Neill Clothing CEO Toby Bost learns that one employee’s casual attitude crosses the line and he needs to act quickly. He also discovers that a product sorter is willing to sacrifice a larger productivity bonus for ensuring boxes are neatly packed.

2. Art Galleries

Visiting an art gallery is a great way to improve your mood and help you stay energized. It also gives you an opportunity to learn about other cultures and people.

The art galleries have a wide range of paintings and sculptures that portray different styles, which can enhance your memory and help you retain information better. They are also a good place to find inspiration for future creations.

An art gallery is an important institution in the art industry that connects artists and collectors. They scout for new talent and showcase their best artworks in exhibitions.

These spaces are important for artists and collectors as they can meet in person and develop relationships that last a lifetime. They also provide valuable advice and support that can help a new artist get their foot in the door and build a strong portfolio of work.

3. Mockumentary

A mockumentary is a genre of film or television that parodies the documentary form. Mockumentaries are usually comedic, but they can also be dramatic.

The cinematography, lighting, and set/costume design of a mockumentary are typically rather understated. This approach is necessary for establishing a facade of realism while retaining the signature mockumentary style.

Mockumentaries can be incredibly fun, but they require a lot of flexibility. For example, if you’re creating a script about a crazed politician, don’t be afraid to let your creative juices flow and go crazy.

The resulting mockumentary will be a hit with viewers and may even become a classic. But the key to writing a successful mockumentary is to find a balance between realism and absurdity. The most successful mockumentaries rely on contrast, which is why you’ll need to keep your subject matter and characters as eccentric as possible.

4. Human Knot

The Human Knot game is a fun team development activity that is perfect for ice breaking and getting to know new people. The game requires group members to connect hands with two other people in the group, forming a “human knot” that they must try to unravel without letting go of their grip.

To play, get the group in a circle and have everyone hold hands with someone opposite of them. This can be done in a variety of ways, including crossing each other or ducking under each other’s hands.

The goal of this game is to untie the knot as a group, but sometimes teams can’t do it all in one go. In these cases, the group leader can give the players a direction to break the knot at one point, untangle a bit, and then reconnect.

5. Bike Ride

A group bike ride gets everyone out of the office and into their element. It’s also a great way to see the city at a leisurely pace.

This activity is particularly good for teams in a new or unfamiliar location. The best part is that you don’t need a special place or a specific agenda — just a desire to get out and explore.

Why we love it: Not only will you see your team members in a whole new light, but they’ll have to think on their feet to make the most of their adventure.

We’ve all heard the story about how bicycles can take you anywhere, but this is an especially good exercise for those who might not be comfortable getting on their bikes in the real world. It’s a good idea to ask a fellow cyclist or look up local biking clubs and message boards for tips.

6. Caroo

Caroo, formerly SnackNation, is the world’s first software-enabled Employee Care platform for today’s flexible enterprise. The company helps teams everywhere feel connected and cared for with expertly-curated boxes of premium lifestyle products, great tasting better-for-you snacks, team-building activities, and more delivered directly to their homes.

The company’s mission is to nourish and inspire people to do the best work of their lives. They’re passionate about creating meaningful moments of care that help teams thrive in this increasingly distributed world.

Their products include better-for-you snacks, premium gifts, and artisanal coffee. Additionally, they donate meals to communities in need via their partnership with Feeding America. They also offer a range of subscription plans to suit individual tastes and dietary needs.

7. Think Outside the Box

Think Outside the Box is a popular piece of jargon for creative thinking. It means to challenge your assumptions and approach problems in a new way.

While this concept can be overused, it’s an effective tool for helping your team see opportunities they might otherwise overlook. It can also help you to develop innovative solutions and ideas for your company’s problems or challenges.

It’s important to understand how your team works and what it needs from you in order to get the best results. This activity is a great way to do that, and it can be used alongside exercises that clarify team purpose and culture.

It’s a fun activity that encourages your team to be open-minded and expand their view of the world. Moreover, it helps people to push past their own limitations and learn how to work with others on the team.

8. Desert Island

Desert Island Discs is one of BBC Radio’s most popular shows and it has recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. The format is simple, with guests – or castaways – being asked to choose eight recordings, a book and a luxury item that they would take with them if they were marooned on a desert island.

Originally devised by Roy Plomley, the show was first broadcast in 1942. Presenters have included Michael Parkinson, Sue Lawley and Kirsty Young and it has a deserved reputation for inviting the world’s greatest artists, actors, authors and politicians to tell us what they would take with them to a desert island.

The show’s most successful episodes often involve a castaway choosing music as a means of establishing their identity in an audience that may be more used to celebrities choosing classical or jazz. So, if you’re looking for something cool to listen to this holiday season then Desert Island Discs is definitely worth checking out.

9. Think Like a Leader

Leaders have the power to impact and develop other people’s work. They are also able to create a positive culture in their workplace.

Whether you are the team leader or an employee, learning how to lead others takes time and practice. It starts with self-awareness and reflection.

The best leaders know how to think like a leader long before they ever formally ‘lead’ a team or have a’manager’ title bestowed upon them.

In her new book, Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader: Redefine Your Job, Network Across And Out, And Be More Playful With Your Self, Herminia Ibarra argues against the traditional “think first and then do” approach to leadership. Instead, she recommends making the following three small changes:

10. Pet Therapy

Pet therapy is a form of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) that focuses on healing. This can include both physical and mental health issues.

Almost any type of tame, friendly animal can be used in pet therapy. The key is to choose the right kind of animal for the therapeutic goals of a patient.

The presence of a pet can reduce stress and anxiety, boost positivity and increase socialization. It can also improve blood pressure and cardiac health, release oxytocin and ease depression.

Several organizations offer pet therapy programs that are available to individuals with various physical, medical and emotional problems. These programs may be appropriate for children and adults of all ages.