By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA
Follow @procrnatom on twitter
Enhancing teamwork is an essential task for leaders who want to empower workers, promote their collaboration, and increase their commitment to the job. Writing in Forbes Magazine, author Brian Scudamore notes that group activities for the team “builds trust, mitigates conflict, encourages communication and increases collaboration.” In addition to bringing people together, teambuilding activities break the daily routine and adds pizazz to a special day. Author Eric Schad agrees that teambuilding is essential and notes that group activities promote socializing, friendly competition, and improves team performance. Planning and implementing events to challenge cooperative interaction requires time, energy, and resources on your part as the leader and the organization; however, the ROI is worth the effort.
The fourth of July is a mid-summer celebration that historically draws families to parks to eat hot dogs, sip on soda and watch fireworks. Similarly, the week leading up to Independence Day is often a festive time in many workplaces and a great opportunity to infuse a little fun and energy into your group with team building activities. Distancing restrictions are being eased, people are returning to the workplace and insightful leaders are leveraging their position by planning activities to re-unite the workgroup. Here are some tips for lighting a fuse that will unite and motivate your team.
Individuals play the game, but teams beat the odds.
~Seal Team
Virtual teambuilding
Americans are creative people and have found a way to continue to function within the parameters generated by the social distancing rules. The traditional company July Fourth picnic is likely taboo but that does not need to shut down the opportunity for group events. The internet offers a great platform for virtual events that are fun an interesting. Look over these activities to get started, then use your imagination to invent more.
Games People Play
Who-is-it competition Ask each person on the team to write something about themselves that others would not suspect. Post several each day leading up to the 4th of July and have team members guess who it is. A variation of the game is to name the person and post 3 “facts” of which only one is true. Have the team consider the person and select the true statement.
Riddles The internet is “riddled” with them and some are quite complex. Find one, post it then challenge your team to solve the riddle together, as one. Slack and WhatsApp are two popular platforms that are user friendly for team chats that allow the group to work together to reach the solution.
Online games Chess, checkers, Yahtzee, and many other traditional games are online. In addition, Parade Magazine lists 25 online games to be enjoyed while social distancing. Set up a tournament and let team members go head to head until one champion is left standing.
Quizbreaker This is an online app that each team member can join. A question is posed to the group and each team member replies. This is a favorite for remote workers who want to remain connected with one another.
Build a story Start a story line and then challenge team members to add to the tale, one person at a time, until the last individual brings the story to a surprise ending. A group “reply all” email or one of the chat platforms listed above will facilitate this activity.
Picture contest Create categories and have people submit pictures. A variation is to have each person submit a picture of something in their home and have others guess who posted the pic.
Online happy hour With or without alcohol, gather on a zoom or skype platform to share music, stories, and a glass of whatever floats. A variation would be to have a bartender’s happy hour where each person shows the group how to mix their favorite drink. Danger: Active participants may not remember the last few recipes that were shared.
Getting good people is the easy part. Getting them to play together is the hard part
~Casey Stengel
Workplace teambuilding
Those of us who remained on the job over the last historic months have learned very quickly how to work around others while preventing the spread of the deadly disease. Even though masks are being worn and social distancing is enforced, most workplaces continue to have common areas where workers gather in small groups, take breaks and share stories. On the day before the holiday break, bring in extra people to help cover the workload and offer an extended lunch break for each worker. Allow the team to filter through the break area in small groups and have activities set up for them to enjoy.
Hot dogs and ice cream Hey, it is the 4th of July and some traditions must be maintained. Give the workers a free lunch while they mingle among the activities.
Puzzles. Start a jigsaw puzzle on a table and encourage everybody to add a piece to the puzzle as they filter through the room.
Bean bag toss. This game comes in all sizes from tabletop to targets large enough for the park. Assess your space and start tossing.
Guessing games. Fill a jar with gourmet coffee beans or red, white, and blue Jelly Bellies and have each person write down their guess with the jar going to the closest guess.
Basketball hoop. OK, you are inside but a mini hoop with a nerf basketball is an open invitation for a free throw contest. Watch the hot shot secretary shame the high school letterman.
Foosball table. Space permitting, set up foosball for those who want to expend a little energy on head to head competition with a colleague.
Giveaways. Make it a day to remember by sending each person off with a gift. A R,W,& B facemask with your company logo demonstrates your commitment to safety and advertises your company to the local community.
Outdoor activities
With July 4th falling on a Saturday and most state and city parks open again, plan a long social distance walk in the city park, a hike on the trails in a wonderfully wooded State Park or a group bike ride. Designate a central location where a variety of activities can begin and end, then coordinate a time for everybody to return for BYO recovery treats. Breaking into small groups and using multiple routes respects social distancing requirements while providing healthy outdoor activity.
It’s time to emerge from the COVID cave
The best and most productive workplaces know the value of teambuilding and actively seek mentally challenging and physically stimulating ways to bring the group together. Reuniting teams after the COVID separation is essential and the fourth of July is a holiday that naturally draws people together for active relaxation. Give your team a red, white, and blue experience to remember, and one that will unite them, augment relationships, and improve productivity.
Tom is an experienced leader, author, and requested speaker. Click here for a video introduction to Tom’s talk topics.