Team Building: Ditch the Picnic

Here at AES, we LOVE our team! No — seriously — we do. Weird, right? So, how did we get so lucky? Well, maybe it’s luck, but more likely it springs from asking the best questions at the interview in order to find the right person for the job and environment. What continues to hold us together, however, is our ongoing development as a team — which relies heavily upon regular team building actives. And no, we’re not talking about trust falls. 

“But what is team building if not trust falls,” you ask? Team building is something fun, interactive and not related to the business in which your entire team participates. 

Why team building? 

Although employees contribute individual talents and experience to an organization, it’s more often the joint efforts of a team that dictate its success. Through regular team building, employers are able to promote open communication, improve upon professional relations and gain a better understanding of group cooperation.

That’s great! Now what?

Set it up, of course! Do your best to avoid the obvious, more traditional approaches and ditch that company picnic. Keep it lively. Don’t go out of the way to teach a specific lesson, but rather have it happen organically through laughter and new experiences. Have a favorite charity or organization? Look into group volunteer opportunities. Have a full team of adrenaline junkies? Keep it safe, but try to find something that is a little more exciting than a game of putt putt. Have a local nonprofit that could use some sprucing up? Check into planting flowers for them. Be creative! 

So, get out there and have some fun with your team! The bottom line is that you want them to enjoy themselves as they interact with fellow employees and return to the office with a renewed sense of camaraderie.