All executives talk about the word ‘team building’ but few actually get the knack of it. It means being a part of something larger than you. However, one must differentiate the overall view of teamwork from the mission of creating a powerful and effective team. Many confuse the two objectives and this renders the entire team building exercise, such as team building sessions and brainstorming, a waste.

Employee empowerment gives autonomy to employees to make decisions and be responsible for their tasks. Employee involvement is the two power words that not only enrich a person but also bring continuous progress to the ongoing success of an organization.

People in every workplace talk about team building, working as a team, and my team, but few understand how to create the experience of team building or how to develop an effective team. Many view teams as the best organization design for involving all employees in creating business success and profitability. Learning about how team building helps enables the success of work teams and team work. Always keep yourself updated with recommended reading, tactics used by competitors for team building ideas and activities.

Icebreakers and activities, when integrated with team building activities in real-time work goals, work the best. Some ideas for strengthening team building that can be used are going to clubs together, dancing, theatre, day trips, adventure sports, charity events and training courses. If they are planned and executed well, people feel good about themselves and about each other.

A culture that promotes rewards and recognition for team behaviors, as well as has a genuine concern for employee- friendly environment should be adopted. The teams solve problems and improve processes. One should get each member involved in sharing the common vision. Create a shared plan and goal as well as a strategy to achieve it.

You should continuously communicate to people that whatever they do is vital to the organizations’ growth. Always show interest in team members and approach mistakes as learning opportunities.

Inculcate an environment of innovation and experimentation within the team. Encourage suggestions and listen patiently to their concerns. Last but not the least build a happy climate backed by humour to celebrate successes. Build a sense of joy and fun for the team – incorporate social activities, stress busters, gag awards, and outings to build team cohesiveness. Use and encourage humor, and celebrate successes.

Emails, PC / web chat services, Circulars, Team newsletter are some means to encourage internal communication between teams

Conclusion:
Improper planning and lack of focus and commitment towards team building can be counterproductive. Instead, poor execution brings low morale, negative feelings among employees. If you have team building sessions but the rewards are based in individual performance, the session gives a mixed message and is of no use. People will lose productive hours complaining about the time and energy invested in the team building or planning activities.

Team building activities costs money and cause a deviation from normal working hours. One must take prior permission from the top management and monitor the investments and their returns in terms of human capital.