Team building is vital for fostering a highly productive work environment. It teaches employees to collaborate with others while discovering their different sides. Outdoor team building activities are especially useful in boosting employee engagement, which promotes business success and development. Let’s explore how HR professionals can leverage various activities and events to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and enhance workplace morale.

outdoor team building

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Integrate Outdoor Activities Into HR Strategies

Organizing outdoor sporting events will always be among the best ways HR professionals can use to create a motivated workforce. HR can organize sports tournaments, like basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc. to foster a sense of belonging and teamwork. 

Trying something less conventional like dodgeball may also work in this case. Anything will work so long as the HR chooses an activity that aligns with the company’s objectives, such as fostering competitive spirit or promoting health and wellness.

However, HR professionals don’t need to limit it to sports. They can try other outdoor activities, such as quad biking, 4×4 driving, clay pigeon shooting, and archery. Similarly, organizing a fun, obstacle-course-style event will also inspire employees to compete in a friendly environment. 

An Important Consideration

When going with sporting events, HR professionals need to plan everything in advance. A good idea is to invest in a canopy for sporting events. In fact, canopies are vital no matter what type of outdoor activity HR chooses to build a rapport between employees. These structures offer various benefits. For instance:

  • Canopies offer weather protection and shield teams from rain, sun, or wind, making sure the outdoor activities proceed without a hitch. 
  • Setting up separate canopies for teams can help create gathering spots that strengthens the bond between employees. This can also be part of a broader HR strategy to promote inclusion and diversity.
  • Custom-printed canopies also serve as a branding tool during events, reinforcing company values and identity. This aligns with HR’s role in communicating company culture.
  • Canopies can also be used to create versatile spaces, such as refreshment stations, registration areas, or even cool-down zones. 

While canopies certainly offer various benefits, HR must choose one considering its durability, size, and additional features, such as mosquito netting or sidewalls.  In addition to canopies, it is important to arrange other stuff, such as portable furniture, first-aid kits, coolers with ice for drinks, clipboard, trash bags, and more.

Pick Collaborative Problem-Solving Challenges

Sporting events work great for outdoor team-building events, but HR must find a way to engage employees in collaborative problem-solving activities. Here are a few options HR can use to identify leadership qualities and areas for development among employees.

  • Plan scavenger hunts where employees need to take clues and complete certain tasks. The activity works wonders to improve strategic thinking, creativity, and effective communication.
  • Try escape room challenges, which can be arranged at a dedicated facility.  These challenges require employees to work together to crack riddles and puzzles within a set timeframe. Not only do these challenges promote critical thinking, they also help teach employees how to cooperate to achieve a common goal.
  • Try bridge-building exercises where HR can challenge employees to build a bridge using limited materials, such as tape, straws, paper, etc. When planned correctly, the activity can foster resource management, innovation, and teamwork. 

Consider Organizing Creative Team Building Events

Giving employees a chance to let their creative sides shine is important for business success, and HR can achieve that through various activities. For instance:

  • A fun way to engage employees while keeping them entertained is to organize an improv comedy workshop. It helps employees think quickly while being adaptable and showing support for one another’s ideas. The activity leads to outcomes directly tied to HR initiatives focused on personal development and team cohesion.
  • Challenge all teams to use a large canvas and create a mural showcasing a shared vision or company’s core values. This activity is perfect for anyone looking to improve creativity and non-verbal communication. 

Alongside these, engaging in community service projects such as habitat restoration or park cleanups can help employees feel more socially responsible and have a sense of shared purpose. This also aligns with HR’s role in promoting employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.

Focusing On an Inclusive Team-Building Experience

HR professionals must ensure that their team building efforts are positive experiences for all employees. The following tips will help in this regard:

  • Always consider a diverse range of activity options, making sure they cater to different physical abilities, interests, and personality types. This ensures that every employee in the company feels included and valued.
  • HR must never ignore the importance of asking for feedback and suggestions when finalizing outdoor team-building events and activities. Ask team members about past events and encourage them to share their feedback, as this shows a commitment to continuous improvement and employee satisfaction.
  • Always pay attention to cultural differences when planning these outdoor activities, especially those involving physical contact, food, or specific cultural references. 

Endnote

Focusing on outdoor team-building activities can help HR to enhance employee engagement and workplace culture. However, it’s important to carefully align these sporting events and activities with HR strategies to foster a more inclusive and productive workforce. HR professionals should work with employees to organize events that are enjoyable and strategically beneficial. They must always be open to unique ideas, but ensure that every idea shows a commitment to inclusivity.