Helen Keller said something very important about teamwork. She said that “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Yes, it’s true that by doing things alone, someone can indeed achieve good things. However, amazing things can only be attained when people collaborate and work together.
If you want to build a stronger team, then you’re going to need some team building ideas that’ll help them create solid bonds. Exercises that’ll help them form camaraderie, teach trust, learn how to rely and help every member of the team. Here are a couple of exercises you can use for that very purpose.
Storytelling
Telling stories are important, not just because it’s a good way to pass folk lore from generation to generation. Nor is important just because it’s a way to put a child to bed, or scare them from doing something bad because a monster might snatch them away. Storytelling goes deeper than to what we’re used to, and in situations where it is used for success, the emotions they evoke are the source of its power.
The emotions that a person can feel when they hear an inspiring story can act as fuel. This fuel can drive anyone to work better together, so they could attain their shared goals.
Lifelines
In this exercise, you’ll have to divide the team randomly (depending on the size, you’ll either have groups of 1-5 people, or simply a pair) into small groups. Once this is done, task everyone to share 3-5 events, or key moments, in their lives that helped shaped who they are today. Then, you tell me that whatever has been shared in the group must be kept only in the group, seems pretty simple, right?
However, the exercise is a good way to break down barriers, and help make everyone feel comfortable with whoever they are with. Since whatever is shared will strictly be confidential (known only to the group), this helps build trust as well, which is an important factor when it comes to building stronger teams. This is one of the team building ideas that yields excellent results, and can help teams function as one.
Appreciations
A little bit of appreciation can certainly go a long way, and this is especially when it comes to teamwork. Instead of pointing the credit only to a single person, take the time to have your team in a circle and let everyone share their appreciative thoughts. You’d be surprised how much people are actually grateful the work that their teammates do, and you’ll be even more astonished at how much it can boost a person’s morale. Spend a few minutes to do this after a meeting, a project, or a few minutes before everyone heads home.
Teamwork is one of the key components that have led to a plethora of amazing achievements. Medicinal advances, technological innovations, and other world-stunning feats, have been made not just because of a single person. Success is brought by groups of people, with effective team building ideas, working towards the same goal, proving how important teamwork truly is.
Sharon Kaibel is a performance and productivity coach. Sharon helps business owners create the strategy, structure and systems to build and grow a profitable business. Join her Closed Facebook Group, the #ACHIEVERNETWORK for the community, resources and trainings to become an extraordinary achiever.
