Fun Ways to Explore Corporate Team Building Events

Every real leader knows that the phrase "There is no 'I' in team" is false. This is referring to the concept that a team member is supposed to put the group's goal and interest ahead of their own. The problem is that there is an "I" for each member of the team and the leader's job is to show each teammate how their individual goals fit into and complement the goals of the team.

I once heard a distinguished motivational speaker use the analogy of a train yard filled with individual train cars, each full of value and with an appointed destination but unable to get there until the locomotive, or leader, made a connection to each car in order to move them forward. This analogy implies a leader who is out of touch with his team will not reach the desired goal or destination and will be met with doubt and mistrust if he tries to move others without making that needed connection first.

Team building exercises are becoming increasingly popular in the corporate world. These activities allow teammates to get better acquainted, build trust and increase communication. Everyone has different skill sets and personality types. Team building exercises help the group mesh these differences together to create a stronger unit. Natural born leaders will emerge, dreamers will concoct creative ideas, and the detail oriented will see that the mission is completed with accuracy.

Team building exercises can range from a quick and cheap activity done in the office to extravagant outings at posh resorts. Both have their place in the corporate world and individual budgets. A common quick and cheap exercise is the "Two Truths and a Lie" game. Each person tells two things about themselves that are true and one thing that is false. The other participants must guess which the lie is. Interesting facts about individuals show up that spark a new perspective about one's co-workers.

A little higher on the budget is the Video Scavenger Hunt, which provides each team with a video camera and a list of things to record with predetermined point values, such as 100 points for a teammate to shake hands with a policeman or 150 points to walk a stranger's dog. There is a round of activity related questions as well as a set recording time limit to determine the winning team.

The most delicious team building idea is one where teams partner with professional chefs that teach them teamwork in cooking. This team building exercise builds relationships and communication skills while having fun. After the cook-off competition is completed, the team gets to eat the product of their efforts. This is definitely a team building exercise that I could sink my teeth into!