The doubts of even the most incredulous employee can be allayed if you pursue the oft-criticized team-building exercise in the right way, Lain Hensley, COO of Odyssey Teams, writes for Entrepreneur.
The method to produce true full-team engagement starts with these five tips, Mr. Hensley says:
1. Deliver value immediately
"Help employees understand the return they'll receive on their time investment by choosing an activity with a valuable takeaway for staffers, both personally and professionally."
2. Change the setting from the office
"Select a new setting for your project to help employees disconnect from ringing phones and the constant flow of email."
3. Make the connection
"Let the activity be fun but also have a true purpose for your company. Often companies host team-building activities with the assumption that employees inherently understand the purpose of the activity."
4. Change employees' mindsets
"Team-building events enlist communication skills and require attention to productivity. They take analytical and creative skills. A good team-building activity will tap specific skills from many different people."
5. Document results
"Hire a freelance photographer or enlist a camera-enthusiast team member to take photos during the event, seminar or activity. Share these images with employees and the public. Use social media to create a conversation about what your team did and why."
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