In today’s blog, we diving into the team-building process and the areas you must be focusing on to get the absolute best from your squad! It goes a little further than free snacks and pats on the back ;) So what is the team building process, anyway?
What is the team-building process?
The team-building process is all about fun and engaging activities that bring people closer, breaking down walls and building up trust. It's where workmates turn into teammates, sharing laughs and tackling challenges together, all in the spirit of boosting team relationships and smoothing out the teamwork kinks for a happier, more productive vibe. Some will say the process is formed in stages, others will state there are rough guidelines that can be revisited when needed.
In our blog, we’re going to take a look at the following areas of the process:
- Define Clear Objectives and Roles
- Select Team Members Wisely
- Establish Trust and Open Communication
- Set Clear, Achievable Goals
- Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork
- Recognize and Reward Contributions
- Foster Professional and Personal Development
- Evaluate and Adjust Regularly
- Offer chances outside of the work setting to bond as a team
Let’s get into this!
1. Select team members wisely
The aim here is to have an idea of who you want to bring in before actually bringing them in. By adding a variety of skills, perspectives and personalities to the team, the creativity levels will be sky-high! Also, don’t let too many cooks spoil the broth! Let’s say you’ve already filled your quota of people that tick the box for ‘energetic’, there’s now no need to bring in any more of the same types of people to the team!
Action:
- Evaluate potential team members based on their skills, experiences, and how they fit the team culture.
- Consider personality assessments to ensure a good mix of temperaments and working styles.
Example:
Think of a marketing agency gearing up for a big project. They gather a dream team: a creative genius who thinks outside the box, a strategist who lives and breathes data, a designer with a knack for eye-catching visuals, a wordsmith who knows how to tell a story, and a social media wizard. It's like assembling a superhero team, each with their own special power to contribute to the campaign's success.
2. Define clear objectives and roles
Ever been set a task by someone and not got the full details? Nightmare! Why not start by defining the team's goals and what you hope to achieve through team-building? This provides a clear direction so everyone can work towards the same sort of goals. It could also get them pumped and working as a team, especially if everyone knows what the endgame is.
Action:
- Create a mission statement and specific, measurable objectives.
- Assign roles based on each member's strengths and experiences to ensure everyone knows what is expected of them.
Example:
Imagine a group of tech enthusiasts coming together with a mission: to make grocery shopping a breeze with a new app. Picture them sitting around a table, mapping out who does what—there's the visionary, sketching out the user experience; the coders, ready to bring it all to life; and the tester, who'll make sure everything works just right. Their goal? To go from concept to launch in just six months.
3. Establish trust and open communication
Trust and open communication are the foundations of any strong team. Gone are the days of employees quaking in their boots and stuttering their words to ask the boss for something that’s needed. Team members should feel comfortable sharing ideas and their feedback, including requests that need to be made!
Action:
- Encourage regular communication through team meetings and one-on-one check-ins. Fire up Slack if you’re remote!
- Why not try communication games and activities to boost those coms skills?
- Create a safe environment where feedback is welcomed and respected. Use team-building exercises that focus on trust-building.
Example:
Picture a new project team spending a weekend away from the office, engaging in activities that might seem silly at first—like falling backwards into a colleague's arms. But it's not just about fun; it's about sharing stories, discovering common ground, and building a foundation of trust. This sets the stage for their weekly gatherings, where everyone feels comfortable opening up about what's going well and what's not.
4. Set clear, achievable goals
Have you ever signed up to a supermarket club card with the promise of ‘points’ that can be converted to discounts on purchases? Many of us have. But some supermarkets make it very difficult to reach a certain target in order to enjoy the discounts. Not to mention the ‘small print’ that stops you from reaching the targets too. Don’t be like the supermarkets! Make sure your goals are super clear and are actually achievable. You’ll be surprised how a uplifting an achieved goal can make everyone feel.
Action:
- Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.
- Ensure these goals are understood and accepted by all team members.
Example:
Imagine a sales team, buzzing with energy, setting their sights on boosting sales by 20% over the next quarter. They break down this big target into smaller, bite-sized pieces, crafting a plan that includes sprucing up their online presence and hosting events that get people talking. Each person knows exactly what they need to do, turning a daunting goal into something totally doable.
5. Encourage collaboration and teamwork
Promote a culture where team members work together to solve problems and achieve goals, rather than competing against each other. Although ‘Employee of the Month’ awards are great in their own respects, it’s probably not the best thing to be offering if you’re looking to build a team. Instead, why not consider giving recognition to the best team player, with the title spread out evenly throughout the year? This not only allows you to celebrate individual performances but also promotes the drive to want to work as a team.
Also, why not promote collaboration and teamwork by providing the team with the tools and settings they need to get creative. We’re talking specialized rooms, tech and anything else needed to extract the team-building vibes.
Action:
- Consider team shout outs and individual efforts specifically for team-work!
- Designate projects that require teamwork and provide opportunities for members to collaborate.
Example:
Envision a product design team, ditching the traditional office setup for a vibrant, open space where ideas flow freely. They're huddled around a big table, sketching, debating, and building prototypes together. There's a digital board where everyone pins their thoughts and suggestions, making sure no good idea gets left behind.
6. Recognize and reward contributions
Sticking to the topic of recognition and awards, acknowledgment and appreciation of each member's contributions can significantly boost morale and motivation. Who doesn’t love a bit of praise for their hard work?! Imagine it from the employee's perspective; they’ve just completed a huge project, worked super well as a team and even worked overtime to get the ball over the line. Then imagine it being totally ignored by management. Could you imagine the vibe?! And yes, we get it, it can be difficult to praise every good step, especially when you’re busy and perhaps miss something great. So, how can we change this?
Action:
- Implement a recognition program and allow other members of management to run it.
- Celebrate achievements, no matter how small, with public acknowledgements, rewards, or team celebrations. Happy Hour Friday’s, anybody?!
Example:
Think of an IT company where, once a month, everyone gathers to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes among them. It's a moment to cheer for the colleagues who've gone the extra mile, with everyone clapping as the month's standout performers get recognized with a token of appreciation. It's not just about the rewards; it's about feeling seen and valued.
7. Foster professional and personal development
The main aim here is to support team members' growth which leads to a more skilled and engaged team. Fostering professional and personal development is like watering a garden. It helps each team member grow stronger and more capable. When everyone is learning and evolving, the team becomes more cohesive and resilient, ready to tackle challenges together. It's about nurturing group development, which in turn strengthens the whole team.
Action:
- Consider team-building or individual workshops for all members of the team. If one seems to be lacking in a particular area, it could be workshop time!
- Of course, instead of you wagging the finger sometimes, encourage members to set personal growth goals. If they need time off to achieve these goals; let them.
Example:
Consider a consulting firm that really gets the importance of growth, both for its people and its business. They offer a pot of funds for courses or conferences and turn their office into a classroom once a month, hosting team-building program workshops on hot topics chosen by the team. It's all about staying sharp and bringing fresh ideas to the table.
8. Evaluate and adjust regularly
Continuous improvement is key to maintaining a strong team. Regular evaluation helps identify areas for improvement but also, don’t be scared in revisiting some of these steps in the future. Let’s say your team has aced every step of our stages, but a year later, there are cracks starting to form. Perhaps an evaluation is needed to see what step you need to go back to and have another go at. No harm done!
Action:
- Conduct regular team assessments and feedback sessions.
- Be open to adjusting team-building strategies, goals, or roles based on feedback and changing needs.
Example:
Imagine a customer service team, wrapping up the quarter with a deep dive into how they've been doing. They look at the numbers, sure, but they also talk about the feels—how customers are reacting, what's frustrating the team, and what's bringing joy. Then, they brainstorm ways to make things better, like bringing in new tools to help them connect with customers more effectively.
9. Offer chances outside of the work setting to bond as a team
Last, but by no means least, is the opportunity to grow as a team and a strong unit outside the workplace. Of course, we don’t mean to spend every free-time chance together as a team, they have lives, you know! But how about, let’s say, twice a year, you could consider whisking your team off to a beautiful location in order to spend some quality team-building time together? It could be just the getaway from the grind you all needed in order to reset, but most importantly of all, learn how to truly work as a unit.
Actions:
- Consider team-building days away from the office. Use a specialised company to help with the logistics
- Set end-of-week incentives, such as, Free Snack Friday or monthly dinner reservations.
Example:
Imagine it's been a hectic few months at the office, and everyone's feeling the burnout. You decide it's the perfect time for a little team getaway. So, you organize a weekend retreat to a cozy mountain lodge. The agenda? Light team-building activities, maybe a workshop or two, but plenty of downtime for relaxation and just enjoying each other's company.
Picture everyone gathered around a bonfire, sharing stories, laughing, and maybe even roasting marshmallows. By Monday, you're not just a team; you're a group of friends who've shared an experience that goes beyond the usual work projects.
Like the idea of this but not sure how to get a team retreat set up? Allow Surf Office to step in.
We’ve had the pleasure of organizing over 700+ team-building retreat experiences, including for all-hands meetings, for many different companies. Here’s how what we offer:
- Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
- Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
- Engaging team-building activities? Our speciality ✅
- Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
- Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
- Onsite support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅
Not only this but we also have access to 130+ locations around Europe, APAC and the US, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.
Make team building a breeze! Book now, spaces are limited!
