A big
role in every team leader’s responsibilities is to develop relationships among
his or her team. Relationships among team members or employees need to be built
beyond assignments or projects, and separate from the daily work environment. By
using the following three tips, you can ensure that your team has a positive, enjoyable
experience.
Partner
with another organization
By
partnering with a similar organization in your community, your team will be
able to get the most out of the experience. Not only will they be interacting
with their own team, but will be able to meet other like-minded individuals who
are working towards a similar goal. This creates a sense of community and is
also a good networking opportunity.
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Image Credit: My Team Triumph on.fb.me/XgLKFX |
For
example, HuTerra recently partnered with My Team Triumph – Wisconsin Chapter
for the Packers 5K. My Team Triumph is a national organization that pairs handicapped
adults and children (Captains) with adults (Angels) in the community to
accomplish a physical goal, such as a race. My Team Triumph approached HuTerra
through the re:find program, which partners area businesses to run as Angels with the Captains to promote team-building. One of our participants said
that meeting people from other businesses was one of her favorite aspects of
the activity.
How do I
find the right kind of activities for my team?
The first
and most important thing to look for when planning team-building activities is
to make sure it will be something your employees will actually take interest
in. Partnering with My Team Triumph for this race was a natural fit for our
employees, as many of them are Packers fans who also appreciate physical
activities such as distance running. This race was also an activity that our team could
truly get something out of and left our participants feeling very appreciative.
One team member said “You don’t recognize what you have until you work with
people who can’t do the same things you can physically and/or mentally.”
If you
are partnering with another organization, it is crucial to pick an organization
that will be both professional and easy to work with. Look for companies that
are well-known in your community, well organized, and can effectively
communicate with you. The better the communication lines are, the easier it
will be for you.
Get
Feedback from your team
To gauge
the effectiveness of your activities, it is important for you to find out how
your team felt about them. Reach out to your employees for their honest opinions.
The only way to get accurate feedback is to openly engage with them. Really
listen to what they say and encourage them to be honest, whether their
experience was favorable or not. Using this feedback, you will be able to
determine what direction to take for further team-building.
After
the Packers 5K, one of the participants said he enjoyed working with My Team
Triumph and would again in the future because it was well-organized,
information was easily accessible, it helped him get into shape and pushed him
outside his comfort zone.
What
experiences have you had organizing team-building efforts? Share your ideas
with us in the comments below!