# Managing Groups and Teams/Team Building Activities

## Team Building Activities

**Introduction**

Team building activities are important for a number of reasons. Everyone
participating will enjoy the benefits including the work force,
management, customers, up to the stockholders. Team building can keep
employees motivated and enthusiastic about every phase of their job. It
may not be easy to always get the group or team members excited about
doing an activity, but if implemented well, it can bring a sense of
purpose and unity unlike anything else. Once you get everyone to
understand the importance of team-building, the program has a better
chance of being accepted.

Team-building activities help people understand the importance of
working together. A company is more productive when everyone works
together for a common goal, without factions or other divisive elements.
Along with understanding the importance of working together, below are
the benefits that can be reaped by effective team building activities,
namely:

**Establish Rapport**

When an organization utilizes team building activities it helps
employees to establish rapport with each other. This helps employee's
work together in an amicable environment.

**More Productive**

Team building activities help employees understand that they are much
more productive working as a cohesive unit trying to accomplish the same
goals and objectives. More work is accomplished by a team than one
person could ever hope to accomplish alone.

**Cut Costs**

Employees that participate in team building activities are more
energetic, enthusiastic and are absent from work less often. This
reduces costs for the company across the board.

**Quality Ideas**

When there are team building activities employees are more likely to
submit ideas that ultimately help the organization function more
efficiently and could save money. Ideas can help a company capture
market share, develop people and save time.

**Brainstorming**

A team that comes together can accomplish just about any objective when
they cooperate to brainstorm different scenarios aimed at achieving
goals.

**Team Building Activity Examples and Starters:**

Activities that allow team members to work together in a scenario
outside of their normal group environment can be an extremely effective
way to build cohesion and unity. Some are simple and some can be
complex. Some are short, and others can be very involved!

Every team activity requires a small amount of planning, a few supplies,
and an effective activity planner. Here are some examples of some fun
and simple activity ideas!

***EGG DROP ACTIVITY***

Teams work to build a holding container that will protect an egg when
dropped from two or three stories high.

-   Engaging and very messy small group activity (4 or 5) as part of
    larger group (e.g., 20 up to 100)
-   Can be run as a competition between teams
-   Task is to build a single egg package that can sustain a fall of
    whatever height you decide
-   Can be used to highlight any almost aspect of teamwork or leadership
-   Lends itself to production line or project management metaphors

*Materials* (Provide the materials for each team to use, or allow them
to gather their own materials.)

A suggestion of useable supplies:

Drinking Straws

Tape

Towel

Rubber band

Masking tape

Egg

*Timing*

\~30-45 minutes to build package

\~15-30 minutes for Great Egg Drop

\~15-45 minutes cleanup & debrief

***MULTI-WAY TUG-OF-WAR***

Teams work to pull the other teams across a center line using guile and
strategy.

-   Fun, finale-type activity. Physically exhausting and emotionally
    climaxing!
-   Works for kids through to corporate programs. Ideal for adolescents
    and possibly youth at risk. Especially with older adults, be careful
    with this activity, especially if they are unfit or if overexertion
    is contraindicated (e.g., heart problems).
-   Use for any size groups, indoor or outdoor. Ideal is large group
    outdoors. Pick a soft location e.g., grass/beach.
-   In traditional 1 on 1 tug-of-war it is mostly strength that wins,
    with a few tactics.
-   In multi-way tug-of-war it is mostly tactics that wins, with some
    strength.
-   Lay out the ropes, etc. as shown in diagram below.
-   Participants should prepare appropriately e.g., watches and hand
    jewellery off.
-   Divide into groups and make sure the groups appear to be of similar
    strength.
-   Brief group on normal tug-of-war safety rules, basically:
    -   no wrapping or tying rope around anyone or anything - only hold
        rope with hands
    -   watch out for rope burn on hands - let go if rope is moving
        through hands
    -   watch out for rope burn on body - let go if you lose footing
-   First command from the Tug-of-War master is \"take the strain\".
    This is only to take up the slack, that\'s all. The Tug-of-War
    master makes sure the centre ring is stable and centered. This needs
    strong leadership because teams are always keen to add extra strain!
-   Second command is \"Go!!\"
-   Teams attempt to pull the center ring or knot over their finish
    line. This can rarely be achieved by strength alone and instead will
    require guile. Teams can swivel to cooperate / compete with other
    teams, then switch directions, etc.
-   Conduct several rounds. Continue, say, until one team earns 3
    victories and the Tug-of-War title.
-   Allow teams plenty of time to physically recover and debrief/plan
    after each round.
-   Team building groups may wish to discuss what the secrets to success
    were in this activity - and whether these lessons apply elsewhere.

*Materials*

Make your own 4 way tug of war with several good quality ropes each
\~60ft+ with attachment e.g., via knots, splicing or ring/karabiners

*Timing*

\~30-60 minutes

**References**

For descriptions on these and other great ideas for activites, see:

<http://wilderdom.com/games/InitiativeGames.html>

<http://www.teambuildingactivities.net/>

<http://www.ehow.com/facts_5407800_importance-team-building-activities.html>

