The Science-Backed Secret to Building Stronger Teams: 5 Team-Building Activities to Try

A strong, cohesive team is essential for the success of any organization. But building a high-performing team can be a challenge. There are many team-building activities on the market, but how do you know which ones are backed by science and actually work?

In this post, we’ll explore five team-building activities that have been proven to build stronger, more productive teams.

Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or team leader, you’ll find practical tips and advice to help you get started.

1. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are a fun and interactive way to build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Teams are locked in a room and given a set of clues to solve, with a goal of escaping within a certain time limit.

Escape rooms have been shown to improve collaboration and creativity, as well as foster a sense of teamwork and mutual support. They are a great way to break down silos and build relationships, and are suitable for teams of all sizes and backgrounds.

2. Charitable Team Building

Charitable team building is a great way to build a sense of purpose and community, while giving back to those in need. Teams work together to organize and participate in a volunteer event, such as a food drive, a community clean-up, or a fundraising campaign.

This type of team-building activity has been shown to improve job satisfaction, boost morale, and increase feelings of teamwork and collaboration. It’s a win-win for both the team and the community, and can be a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

3. Cooking Challenges

Cooking challenges are a fun and delicious way to build teamwork and communication skills. Teams work together to prepare and cook a meal, with the goal of creating a delicious and cohesive dish. Cooking challenges have been shown to improve collaboration and time management, as well as build relationships and boost morale.

They are a great way to get creative, have fun, and learn new skills, and are suitable for teams of all sizes and backgrounds.

4. Adventure Activities

Adventure activities, such as ropes courses and kayaking trips, are a great way to build teamwork, trust, and leadership skills. Teams work together to overcome challenges and support each other, with the goal of achieving a common goal.

Adventure activities have been shown to improve communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, as well as boost morale and build relationships. They are a fun and exciting way to step out of your comfort zone and build a stronger, more cohesive team.

5. Team Debates

Team debates are a great way to build critical thinking, communication, and negotiation skills. Teams work together to research and prepare arguments for and against a particular issue, with the goal of presenting a persuasive and well-reasoned argument. Team debates have been shown to improve collaboration and creativity, as well as foster a sense of teamwork and mutual support.

They are a great way to build relationships, improve skills, and have fun, and are suitable for teams of all sizes and backgrounds.

Conclusion:

Building a strong and productive team takes effort, but the rewards are well worth it.

Whether you try escape rooms, charitable team building, cooking challenges, adventure activities, or team debates, you’ll find that these science-backed team-building activities are a great way to build your teams.