Team building has evolved from a mere agenda filler in meetings to a powerful strategy for enhancing group dynamics and achieving meeting goals. Today, we'll delve into the insights shared by Wingspread’s General Manager, Eric Bates.
As he discusses the significance of outcomes, strengthening team bonding, planning strategically, and the key considerations for successful team building, we'll explore how these insights can be applied to elevate your team's collaboration and productivity.
Eric Bates emphasizes that successful team building goes beyond the event itself. While the activities during the event are important, the true measure of success lies in what attendees take home with them.
Although that's important. It's really what do your attendees take home? What do they take back with them?” Eric says, “And the meat of your agenda certainly isn't going to be team building event, but it will have a big part in how your attendees feel once they leave.”
The goal is to influence how attendees feel after they leave the event, fostering a sense of connection, trust, and unity within the team. Bates encourages planners to consider the outcomes they wish to achieve and strategically construct team-building events to meet those goals.
Team bonding is a primary benefit of effective team building.
Team-building events can bridge gaps and reestablish connections, whether it's a new team, remote workers, or seasoned colleagues.
In situations of strained relationships or changes within the group, team building can serve as an intervention strategy to rebuild trust and unity.
He states, “All teams can benefit with from strengthening bonds.”
Bates stresses that building stronger bonds requires a strategic approach, helping teams overcome challenges and internal issues through carefully designed activities.
Bates dispels the notion that team building is a throwaway item on the meeting agenda.
Instead, he highlights the importance of selecting activities catering to your team's needs. These activities can range from educational experiences fostering collaboration to physically engaging challenges encouraging teamwork.
“Really, when we plan a meeting and we really want to design one that caters to the needs of your team.” Eric says, “Your team building could be educational focused. It could be strategically focused”
By identifying desired results and targeting specific areas for improvement, team building becomes a purposeful and impactful element in your meeting agenda.
Bates outlines crucial factors to consider when designing team-building activities.
He stresses the significance of understanding your audience's diverse personalities and preferences, ensuring that the activity suits introverts, extroverts, cautious individuals, and the experimental alike.
Timing is another essential aspect, as the right time of day or program can significantly impact the event's success. Considering the intended outcomes and potential unplanned results is vital to designing activities that align with your team's goals.
Eric says, “We want them to build their bonds, build trust, stronger collaboration and know each other personally more personally than they do over a zoom call or even in the office.”
Drawing from his extensive experience, Bates shares valuable tips for those looking to design their own team-building activities:
1. Define a Purpose: Determine the activity's objective and the insights it should provide about your team.
2. Plan Timing: Allocate sufficient time for introducing, conducting, and debriefing the activity.
3. Prioritize Safety: Ensure the activity is safe and suitable for all participants.
4. Create a Narrative: Craft a story or backdrop for the activity to make it engaging and memorable.
5. Observe and Debrief: Pay attention to team dynamics, leadership, collaboration, and outcomes, and engage in a thorough debrief afterward.
The evolution of team building from a filler activity to a strategic tool has transformed how meetings are approached.
Eric Bates' insights shed light on the importance of crafting purposeful team-building experiences that yield tangible outcomes, strengthen team bonds, and cater to diverse team dynamics.
By applying these strategies, you can maximize the impact of team-building events, fostering collaboration, trust, and unity within your team, ultimately enhancing the overall success of your meetings.
