Trust falls. Drum circles. Horse whispering. Purging ceremonies (whatever that is).

Let’s face it – team building has gotten a bad rap. At best, team building is associated with frivolous time off that doesn’t accomplish anything. At worst, it damages working relationships further by unearthing problems and resentments in an unhealthy, unconstructive way.

Despite its reputation, team-building is one of the most important investments you can make in your people. And when teams are under quarantine and work is far from normal, team-building is a great tool to build trust, diffuse tension, encourage communication and increase collaboration.

Even during quarantine, team-building can fail. How to avoid hosting a failure-proof team building activity? Read these 5 tips:

1. Establish ground rules – If you are doing a more structured team building activity, like working together to solve a hypothetical problem or trying to virtually escape a locked room, you must establish rules of conduct. Respectful listening, mutual respect, don’t interrupt each other and basic courtesy all go a long way towards making the team building work.
2. Don’t force the corporate agenda – Activities that are heavy-handed in pushing practical takeaways are less powerful. Spending time together, sharing an experience or working towards a common goal allows bonding to happen more organically and far more effectively.
3. Think beyond the company picnic – Trying new things with your staff can generate good vibes among employees, which in turn benefits the business itself. Choosing something unique and slightly outside of people’s comfort zones can encourage them to come together in new ways.
4. It should be fun, not terrifying – Sure, you want to get people to try something new, but learning can’t happen if people are filled with anxiety over the height of the zip line or getting pummeled with paintballs. As soon as your team is released from quarantine and can meet in person, choose your adventure thoughtfully.
5. Keep it going – Most team-building falls flat because it’s one and done. All the good vibes evaporate the next day. The key is to find ways to keep the connection going. Create a series of informal events post-team building so that people can continue to connect and interact in meaningful ways.

If your quarantined virtual team could use a little bonding, PRC can help.  We are experts at creating a culture of connection. Find out more today.