Participants must work to find a solution individually and together as a team, and must communicate and learn from each other in order to be successful. The Learning begins with the experience followed by reflection, discussion, analysis and evaluation of the experience. For any successful team building to happen, the facilitator should be skilled and experienced to guide all activities and create long lasting change in behavior that would reap organizational benefits.
Amongst the various training companies in India, Outlife has been a pioneer for innovation in the field of outbound and experiential education learning.Outlife conducts team building programs using experiential education methodology. The OBT training and team building programs are hands on, engaging, fun, exciting and use adult learning methodology. Outlife conducts employee engagement programs based on three broad categories such as recreational, educational and developmental.
Recreational- Focus is on the team experiencing fun and feel good factor.
Educational- Focus is on the team learning specific learning objectives to bring a change in the way they behave, think or perceive. Mostly employed for team building sessions, behavioral skills training, outbound training.
Developmental- Focus is on learning and knowledge to bring a change in habits, motives, behaviors and attitude. Mostly Employed in Outdoor Management Development and Leadership Development Programs.
While there are many ideas and activities around employee engagement, Outlifecan help create motivation and belongingness in your organization through the following employee engagement ideas and activities.
Amongst the various training companies in India, Outlife has been a pioneer for innovation in the field of outbound and experiential education learning.Outlife conducts team building programs using experiential education methodology. The OBT training and team building programs are hands on, engaging, fun, exciting and use adult learning methodology. Outlife conducts employee engagement programs based on three broad categories such as recreational, educational and developmental.
Recreational- Focus is on the team experiencing fun and feel good factor.
Educational- Focus is on the team learning specific learning objectives to bring a change in the way they behave, think or perceive. Mostly employed for team building sessions, behavioral skills training, outbound training.
Developmental- Focus is on learning and knowledge to bring a change in habits, motives, behaviors and attitude. Mostly Employed in Outdoor Management Development and Leadership Development Programs.
While there are many ideas and activities around employee engagement, Outlifecan help create motivation and belongingness in your organization through the following employee engagement ideas and activities.
1.Hula Frenzy
Time: 30 minutes including debrief
No. of Participants: 8 -50
Methodology: Four hula hoops are arranged in four corners of an imaginary 25 square feet square and one in the middle of the square. Each hoop contains a tennis ball placed at the middle of the hoop. Four teams are formed. Each team chooses a hula hoop and stands beside it. The focus of each team is to try and place all the tennis balls in the hoop. The team which has all the balls wins the game. There should be no throwing or tossing of the balls.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Team work, Collaboration, Team Spirit
No. of Participants: 8 -50
Methodology: Four hula hoops are arranged in four corners of an imaginary 25 square feet square and one in the middle of the square. Each hoop contains a tennis ball placed at the middle of the hoop. Four teams are formed. Each team chooses a hula hoop and stands beside it. The focus of each team is to try and place all the tennis balls in the hoop. The team which has all the balls wins the game. There should be no throwing or tossing of the balls.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Team work, Collaboration, Team Spirit
2.Helium Stick
Time:20 minutes
No. of Participants: 8-12
Methodology: A magic cane, also known as the helium stick is given to participants. A group is split into two facing each other. The participants need to point their index finger in front of them. The helium stick is laid down on the top of their index fingers. The stick is kept horizontal by adjusting the heights of the fingers. All the index fingers should touch the stick. The challenge is to lower the helium stick to the ground. Pinching or grabbing the stick is not permitted. If anyone’s finger is not touching the helium stick, the challenge is restarted.
Learning Objective/Outcome: Communication skills, cooperation, patience, and working together to achieve a team goal.
No. of Participants: 8-12
Methodology: A magic cane, also known as the helium stick is given to participants. A group is split into two facing each other. The participants need to point their index finger in front of them. The helium stick is laid down on the top of their index fingers. The stick is kept horizontal by adjusting the heights of the fingers. All the index fingers should touch the stick. The challenge is to lower the helium stick to the ground. Pinching or grabbing the stick is not permitted. If anyone’s finger is not touching the helium stick, the challenge is restarted.
Learning Objective/Outcome: Communication skills, cooperation, patience, and working together to achieve a team goal.
3.Pass The Jug
Time:30 minutes
No. of Participants: 8 - 12
Methodology: Sitting on the floor, a group attempts to pass a large jug around the circle using only their feet in as few 'falls' as possible. The activity is timed and whichever team does it quicker and with less number of drops wins. The Facilitator adds complexity enabling problem solving and teamwork.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes: Fun problem-solving exercise, develops teamwork, focuses on goal-setting, and develops cooperation.
No. of Participants: 8 - 12
Methodology: Sitting on the floor, a group attempts to pass a large jug around the circle using only their feet in as few 'falls' as possible. The activity is timed and whichever team does it quicker and with less number of drops wins. The Facilitator adds complexity enabling problem solving and teamwork.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes: Fun problem-solving exercise, develops teamwork, focuses on goal-setting, and develops cooperation.
4.Treasure Hunt
Time:2 – 3 hours
No. of Participants: 20 - 40
Methodology:Participants will be dropped to an unknown location close by to the resort with a Map and Compass and few instructions. They have to make it to the resort using the Map and with support from each other. They also need to find a treasure box and get it along. A treasure Map with Clues will be given to locate the treasure Box.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Team work, Communication, Decision Making, Trust Leadership, Achievement.
No. of Participants: 20 - 40
Methodology:Participants will be dropped to an unknown location close by to the resort with a Map and Compass and few instructions. They have to make it to the resort using the Map and with support from each other. They also need to find a treasure box and get it along. A treasure Map with Clues will be given to locate the treasure Box.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Team work, Communication, Decision Making, Trust Leadership, Achievement.
5. “ A” Frame
Time:60 – 90 minutes
No of Participants: 6 – 8
Methodology: Teams use poles to build the ‘A’ Frame. Once constructed members of the team must then volunteer to stand in the ‘A’ Frame whilst the other members co-ordinate a ‘walking’ pattern to get the ‘A’ Frame to its target. Success in this task covers a number of areas including construction, co-ordination, trust and physical ability.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes: Strategy, Leadership, Teamwork, Coordination, Trust, and communication
No of Participants: 6 – 8
Methodology: Teams use poles to build the ‘A’ Frame. Once constructed members of the team must then volunteer to stand in the ‘A’ Frame whilst the other members co-ordinate a ‘walking’ pattern to get the ‘A’ Frame to its target. Success in this task covers a number of areas including construction, co-ordination, trust and physical ability.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes: Strategy, Leadership, Teamwork, Coordination, Trust, and communication
6. Spider Web
Time:30- 40 minutes
Number of Participants: 6 - 8
Methodology:Team members have to get through a spiders web, without touching the web, and using each hole only once. It requires your group to work at a slightly higher level of cooperation.
Learning Objectives/ Outcome: Team problem solving, Quality issues, Ethical issues and strategic issues
Number of Participants: 6 - 8
Methodology:Team members have to get through a spiders web, without touching the web, and using each hole only once. It requires your group to work at a slightly higher level of cooperation.
Learning Objectives/ Outcome: Team problem solving, Quality issues, Ethical issues and strategic issues
7. Pictionary
Time:10 – 15 minutes
Number of Participants: 5-10 people each
Methodology:Employees are divided into two teams. A Pictionary card is drawn and a word is chosen. A player from Team A is given 2 minutes time to draw while their team mates try to guess the word. The team mates can shout while one of them draws the pictures. Team A gets one more chance to guess while time is run out. If they cannot answer, then Team B gets the chance. Accordingly the teams are switched with each other and Team B gets the chance to draw.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Knowledge, Creativity, Team Bonding, Interpersonal Communication
Number of Participants: 5-10 people each
Methodology:Employees are divided into two teams. A Pictionary card is drawn and a word is chosen. A player from Team A is given 2 minutes time to draw while their team mates try to guess the word. The team mates can shout while one of them draws the pictures. Team A gets one more chance to guess while time is run out. If they cannot answer, then Team B gets the chance. Accordingly the teams are switched with each other and Team B gets the chance to draw.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Knowledge, Creativity, Team Bonding, Interpersonal Communication
8. Paper Aeroplane
Time:20 minutes
No. of Participants: 5 - 6
Methodology:Participants are divided into two groups of 5 to 6 per group. Each group is given 10 A$ size sheets both of different colors. A masking tape is used to create a start and a finish line. Each team gets 3 minutes time for strategic planning without paper. Then the team gets 5 minutes time to build their airplanes and get them across the taped line. The winning team will get the most paper airplanes across the taped lines.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Creativity, Lateral Thinking, strategic planning, team bonding
No. of Participants: 5 - 6
Methodology:Participants are divided into two groups of 5 to 6 per group. Each group is given 10 A$ size sheets both of different colors. A masking tape is used to create a start and a finish line. Each team gets 3 minutes time for strategic planning without paper. Then the team gets 5 minutes time to build their airplanes and get them across the taped line. The winning team will get the most paper airplanes across the taped lines.
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Creativity, Lateral Thinking, strategic planning, team bonding
9. Ballooniture
Time: 60 minutes
No. of Participants: 8-10 participants per group
Methodology: The participants needs 45 minutes time to plan, design, create and market their Ballooniture game. The participants need to create the ballooniture in such a way that it can be practically used; it can also hold a team member for a full count of 10 seconds. The resources provided should be used creatively because they are scarce or limited. Each team gets
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Leadership Development, Task delegation, Calculated risk taking, Agreement to decision making within team, Accountability of actions within the Leadership Team.
No. of Participants: 8-10 participants per group
Methodology: The participants needs 45 minutes time to plan, design, create and market their Ballooniture game. The participants need to create the ballooniture in such a way that it can be practically used; it can also hold a team member for a full count of 10 seconds. The resources provided should be used creatively because they are scarce or limited. Each team gets
Learning Objectives/ Outcomes: Leadership Development, Task delegation, Calculated risk taking, Agreement to decision making within team, Accountability of actions within the Leadership Team.
Conclusion:
Change is undoubtedly a challenging task for any organization. Behavior and attitude changes are the key elements in employees in order to initiate a culture change or achieve organizational goals. There are various strategies whereby change can be incorporated the way employees think. Conducting team building activities through experiential learning platform can spark change within human resources in organizations. Such team building programs can be successfully conducted depending upon the content and debriefing. The key outcomes of such kind of trainings include:
Change is undoubtedly a challenging task for any organization. Behavior and attitude changes are the key elements in employees in order to initiate a culture change or achieve organizational goals. There are various strategies whereby change can be incorporated the way employees think. Conducting team building activities through experiential learning platform can spark change within human resources in organizations. Such team building programs can be successfully conducted depending upon the content and debriefing. The key outcomes of such kind of trainings include:
- Learning new behaviors and skills
- Getting actively involved in experiences which are immersive
- Experiencing success and failure leading to absorption of behavior change
- Participating in team building activities that works as a metaphor for a real world change
- Connecting the various experiential learning activities to on the job situation through a skilled debrief session