Team building activities are often associated with trust falls and fun icebreakers. While these activities may have their place, they’re not always backed by research to ensure lasting results. Evidence-based team-building strategies offer a more scientific approach, focusing on tangible outcomes like improved communication, increased collaboration, and better performance.
What Are Evidence-Based Team Building Activities?
Evidence-based team building activities are exercises designed using research and empirical studies to achieve specific outcomes. These activities are proven to enhance team dynamics, productivity, and overall effectiveness.
Types of Evidence-Based Team Building Interventions
According to research, there are four primary types of team development interventions (TDIs):
Team Training
These activities are designed to improve the skills and knowledge of team members. Examples include workshops on technical skills, simulations that mimic real-world challenges, or cross-training sessions where team members learn each other’s roles. Team training focuses on building both individual competencies and collective efficiency, ensuring the team functions as a cohesive unit.
Leadership Training
Leadership training focuses on enhancing the abilities of team leaders to guide, motivate, and manage their teams effectively. Activities may include scenario-based exercises, coaching sessions, and workshops on communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making. These exercises equip leaders with the tools they need to inspire confidence and drive their teams toward achieving shared goals.
Team Building
These activities aim to foster trust, communication, and collaboration among team members. Examples include trust-building exercises, group problem-solving tasks, and team challenges such as escape rooms or cooperative games. The goal is to strengthen interpersonal relationships and create a supportive environment where team members feel valued and understood.
Team Debriefing
Structured discussions that allow team members to reflect on their performance and outcomes. Debriefing sessions typically involve analyzing what went well, identifying areas for improvement, and discussing strategies for future success. Tools like feedback frameworks or structured question prompts can help ensure productive conversations and actionable takeaways.
Examples of Evidence-Based Team Building Activities
1. Goal Setting
- Teams work together to set clear, measurable goals.
- Benefits: Aligns team efforts, enhances motivation, and provides a shared sense of purpose.
2. Role Clarification
- Team members discuss and define their roles and responsibilities.
- Benefits: Reduces ambiguity, prevents overlap, and ensures accountability.
3. Problem-Solving Exercises
- Teams are tasked with solving challenges that mimic real-life problems.
- Benefits: Encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and innovative solutions.
A great challenge for improving communication is the communication puzzle game Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes.
4. Interpersonal Relations Exercises
- Activities designed to build trust and improve communication, such as feedback sessions or trust-building exercises.
- Benefits: Strengthens interpersonal relationships and team cohesion.
How to Find and Select the Right Team Building Activity for Your Team
Choosing the right team-building activity is critical to ensuring its effectiveness. Here are steps to guide you:
1. Define Your Objectives
- What outcome are you seeking? Examples include improving communication, resolving conflicts, or enhancing team performance.
- Consider input from your team to identify specific areas for improvement.
2. Assess Your Team’s Needs
- Is your team newly formed or well-established? Are they struggling with trust or coordination? Tailor the activity to the current stage and dynamics of your team.
3. Prioritize Engagement
- Select activities that are not only evidence-based but also engaging and enjoyable. Fun can boost participation and learning retention.
4. Research Proven Methods
- Incorporate practical, tested exercises into your planning. For example:
- Use simulation games like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes to enhance communication under pressure.
- Organize a “Mars Colony Simulation” to improve teamwork and problem-solving.
- Facilitate scenario-based leadership exercises where participants must navigate conflicts or crises.
- Introduce role-reversal tasks to build empathy and understanding within the team.
5. Adapt to Your Team’s Environment
- Ensure the activity is suitable for your team’s size, setting (in-person or virtual), and resources.
Read how to Build Stronger Remote Teams with Virtual Team Building.
Evidence-based team-building activities go beyond traditional “fun” exercises to deliver measurable results. By defining clear objectives, understanding your team’s needs, and selecting proven strategies, you can create impactful experiences that foster collaboration, trust, and productivity.
Resources:
American Psychological Association. “Team Development Interventions: A Review.”
Science for Work. “Evidence-Based Practices for Team Building.”
Google Scholar. “Academic Research on Team Dynamics.”
Journal of Management Education. “Team Building Activities and Strategies.”