Team building experiences have always been popular with employees and managers who aim to develop and improve the quality of relationships between people in a hotel, restaurant or company in the luxury world. What we notice is the enthusiasm, the positivity, the connection between people, which emerges within a few hours of the start of the activities.
This is because team building gives employees the opportunity to express parts of themselves that often do not emerge during work, and this allows each individual team member to bring to light character aspects that are often hidden.
Beware though, that kind of enthusiasm, if not cultivated and fostered, is destined to be short-lived. It is essential, therefore, to ensure that all participants are committed to being promoters of the positive aspects that arise on these occasions of shared growth.
Team building: what are the most appreciated activities?
Team building activities and techniques can be many and varied. Based on our experience, here are the ones that always give great satisfaction:
- Activities involving Lego bricks: going back to childhood and immersing oneself in creative activities is often a method to help people get to know each other better, to tell their personalities, their working vision and to promote a collaborative and engaging atmosphere
- Artistic activities: art has always been a powerful means of expression, pushing people to follow the flow of their own and other people’s emotions in order to ‘lay bare’ and also show their vulnerability. These activities help participants get out of their comfort zone and engage in activities that can be surprising
- Theatre workshops: theatre is not merely knowing how to play a part, a role, it is also and above all learning to perceive and ‘wear’ different perspectives and specific emotions on one’s skin. It also means learning to trust those around you, fostering clear communication and stimulating your own creativity.
- Collaborative and competitive activities: some activities, such as escape rooms or team cooking, give the opportunity to foster collaboration between people in order to pursue a shared goal. These activities, very different from work, stimulate each team member to get involved in something new and different. This helps people strengthen their leadership and stimulate the growth of other team members.
How to give the enthusiasm and positivity continuity: the challenges of team building
As we said at the beginning of this article, people tend to be very enthusiastic, positive and full of energy at the end of a team building. This, besides being a very positive and enriching aspect, can also translate into a challenge and an opportunity, because it takes commitment and perseverance to make these feelings last. In fact, if employees and managers return to work without an awareness of the value generated by team building, there is a risk that all the positive aspects will vanish in record time and everyone will return to work with an ineffective approach.
Here, then, are a few tips to give continuity to the positive effects generated by team building:
- Regular follow-ups: organise regular meetings to discuss the progress and challenges experienced by your team. This helps to keep communication alive and resolve any problems promptly.
- Ongoing feedback: encourage team members to give and receive meaningful feedback. This fosters personal and professional growth and keeps the communication channels developed during team building activities open.
- Recurring team building activities: Plan team building activities at regular intervals. They do not always have to be big events; even small activities can make a difference in maintaining the right mindset over time
- Life-long training: offer opportunities for training and professional development. This not only improves skills, but also shows that the company invests in the well-being and growth of its employees.
Uninvolved employees: what are the potential risks?
We are aware that developing and maintaining a positive corporate environment aimed at constant growth is a great challenge and a great investment of energy. At the same time, not investing in the creation of an involved and ‘grown-up’ team also entails risks, which can be very dangerous.
Here are some of them:
- Negative work environment: a lack of attention to interpersonal relationships between employees can create a stressful and negative work environment, affecting the well-being and satisfaction of the entire hotel or company
- Reduced quality of work: a poorly cohesive team can lead to a decrease in the quality of work, as people may not be motivated to give their best
- High staff turnover: an unmotivating working environment lacking cohesion can increase the rate of employee drop-out, forcing the company to continuously invest in new hires and training
- Difficulty in achieving goals: without a united team, it can be difficult to achieve company goals, as lack of collaboration and motivation can be an obstacle to progress
In conclusion, it is clear that through team building activities, deep bonds are built, creativity is nurtured and mutual trust is strengthened. These moments of sharing not only improve communication and collaboration, but also turn everyday work into an extraordinary journey towards innovation and success. Especially in luxury, where attention to detail is crucial, a cohesive and motivated team is the key to achieving new goals towards excellence.