Your team building events are falling flat. How can you make them more engaging and fun?

Set a meeting with key stakeholders to define specific objectives for the team building event. Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to outline your goals. For instance, if fostering collaboration is a goal, a measurable outcome might be "increase cross-departmental project proposals by 20% within the next quarter."

Ask, would I want to do this ? Do I think any of my participants have done this before ? Is this activity unique ? Is it inclusive of everyone on your team regardless of age, or physical ability ? Will this be fun ? and will it be fun for everyone ? Will this break boundaries, get people communicating and collaborating ? READ THE REVIEWS ! Why do other groups love the experience !?! And as mentioned by others here, choose something hosted by a pro. You will not get anywhere near the same engagement or results by a box of activity materials arriving by mail or a online activity that allows people to hide at home and disengage if they are not interested.

First and foremost, understanding your team's interests and preferences is key. Tailor events for Injecting a sense of friendly competition through interactive games, ensuring everyone can participate enthusiastically. Consider incorporating unconventional activities such as escape room challenges or outdoor adventure tasks. Building in opportunities for socializing, like casual networking sessions or themed gatherings, helps strengthen interpersonal bonds. Moreover, embracing a feedback loop is crucial. The aim is to cultivate an atmosphere where team members genuinely look forward to these events, fostering not just teamwork but also a sense of camaraderie.

You can make team building events more engaging and fun by knowing your goals and knowing what your goals are. When you know your goals you know what to test about your goals with your team members. This will determine weather or not you can see more or less engagement with them.

Distribute a pre-event survey to gather information on team members’ interests, past team building experiences they’ve enjoyed, and any suggestions they have. Use this data to tailor activities that will resonate with the group.

Working with an experienced facilitator will help ensure multiple learning styles and personality types will be considered when presenting and sharing information. And when activities are involved, a plan will be in place for different physical levels. If your supplier is not asking these questions, that's a red flag.

For the sake of sounding like “Captain Obvious”, hire a professional! As a trainer, coach, and facilitator I have tools in my tool kit that have been harvested over years of use. Far too often, in my experience, managers and leaders try "budget friendly" activities and do them just to do them or check the box of completion. There has to be purpose, desired outcomes, and moreover, a trained professional to facilitate the experience. Would you hire a plumber to do your electrical work? We are creatures of past habits therefore often times leaders lead the way they were led, and managers manage the way they have been managed. If it is not working, consult someone with the background and experience to bring your team-building events to life.

Plan a variety of activities that cater to different preferences and skills. For example, To cater to various interests, I planned a day that started with a creative workshop, followed by a tech scavenger hunt using QR codes around our office, and concluded with a few rounds of “speed dating”. This variety ensured everyone had a moment where they felt in their element, fostering inclusivity and engagement.

Making It Relevant involves ensuring that the activities have a direct connection to the team's daily work or long-term goals. For example, a puzzle-solving activity designed to mirror real-world project management challenges offered a practical skill-building opportunity. This relevance to our work made the exercise more impactful, providing a safe space for team members to practice and refine essential skills in a controlled, enjoyable environment.

Getting Feedback after the event is invaluable for gauging its success and identifying areas for improvement. An anonymous feedback form allowed me to capture specific insights into each activity's effectiveness and overall enjoyment. This feedback loop is critical for refining future events, enabling a tailored approach that better meets the team's needs and preferences over time.

Incorporating elements of Surprise and Connection significantly enhances the event's impact. From unexpected guest speakers providing fresh perspectives to "fireside chats" that encourage personal storytelling, these elements foster a sense of curiosity and deeper interpersonal connections. Such moments not only break the routine but also help build a more cohesive and understanding team environment.