| In all organisations and companies it's important | | | | work against the clock, as this echoes many |
| for employees to be able to work closely and | | | | work activities where deadlines have to be met. |
| effectively with colleagues. Team building helps to | | | | However, even if they don't meet the deadline, all |
| make this happen. Plenty of opportunities exist to | | | | that has been achieved along the way should be |
| arrange outdoor team building activities of various | | | | celebrated. |
| types. | | | | Team leaders should be chosen carefully. |
| Too often, office politics spoil the efficiency of | | | | Someone who is firm but considerate and |
| groups of workers. Relationships and motivation | | | | encouraging will develop the right atmosphere |
| can be improved by teams working together | | | | rather than someone who emphasises negative |
| away from the office in different and quite | | | | points and criticises too much. |
| challenging circumstances. This can be enjoyable | | | | Choice of the right team building games can |
| and provide topics of conversation for months | | | | fine-tune a working group, making them much |
| afterwards. | | | | happier and more committed to their work. The |
| As many as a third of the workforce can feel | | | | team members will learn beneficial behaviours and |
| disconnected from the people who employ them | | | | the skill of dealing with others effectively. |
| and lack motivation. A 'them and us' culture is | | | | Some examples of outdoor activities for teams |
| damaging. Too many go to work just to collect | | | | include raft building, Canadian canoeing, caving, |
| their salary at the end of the month. | | | | orienteering, kite building and flying, map reading, |
| Enjoyable team building tasks can help to remove | | | | camping and backwoods tasks. |
| negative attitudes and improve cooperation. A | | | | Problem-solving activities for teams are a popular |
| search on the Internet will reveal a large number | | | | choice. A team might have to work together |
| of organisations that provide outdoor team | | | | using ropes to put a bucket of water up onto the |
| building opportunities including day and half day | | | | top of a pole without getting close to it. Bridge |
| courses. These include various activities and ways | | | | building, using only the pieces of wood provided to |
| of organising them. | | | | get across an obstacle, develops problem solving, |
| Treasure hunts are frequently used because | | | | planning and cooperation within the team. |
| these are familiar and people usually enjoy them. | | | | A series of team building tasks could be booked |
| Obviously there will be winners and losers, | | | | for one day a month over several months, |
| creating a competitive atmosphere. Consideration | | | | including a sequence of activities with increasing |
| needs to be given to whether competition is best | | | | difficulty. These should develop team cooperation |
| for the people concerned and the way the | | | | without being too physically challenging for |
| employing company works overall. The losers | | | | someone of average fitness. |
| may be discouraged and develop negative feelings. | | | | There are many organisations competing with |
| In many circumstances it's better to encourage | | | | each other to provide outdoor team building |
| cooperation rather than competition. Team | | | | opportunities. This has led to some rather |
| members can then benefit from feeling the help | | | | outlandish and risky challenges. |
| and support of the other members. Hopefully, no | | | | It's important, though, to prioritise the safety and |
| one is left feeling inadequate and a communal | | | | enjoyment of the employees who will take part. |
| team spirit is encouraged. | | | | No manager wants half the team to end up in |
| In many outdoor activity situations, teams can | | | | hospital and be unable to work! |