We all know it—Covid has disrupted the working world for a long time. HR departments are now working full force to reintegrate employees who have grown used to a nomadic lifestyle, and to motivate them to return to the office. One key lesson from this challenging period is that personal connection and a positive work atmosphere are vital for retaining teams and fostering cooperation and collaboration. By allowing employees to share meaningful moments and get to know each other better, team-building activities are an effective way to ease the transition back to the office and rebuild team bonds. Here’s a look at the latest trends in teambuilding.
Seeking meaning
Whereas in the past employees simply wanted to have fun, they now look for meaningful activities. As a result, we are seeing the rise of solidarity-based team-building events, where participants work together for a good cause. These not only create a shared sense of pride but also give companies an opportunity to communicate their CSR efforts.
Eco-friendly teambuildings
Climate concerns—and environmental issues more broadly—are now finding their way into team-building activities. And what better occasion than a team event to deliver key messages and encourage behavioural change? Sometimes informative, sometimes entirely hands-on, companies choose their own approach to the subject. Activities may include waste collection, learning tips to reduce one’s carbon footprint, or participating in CSR-themed serious games. The goal remains the same: raising awareness among teams and sharing the company’s commitment to sustainability.
More frequent, smaller, and more focused
While some companies still organise one big team-building event per year for all employees—without analysing team dynamics or needs—more team leaders and HR managers are recognising that teambuilding goes far beyond mere fun. Relationships need nurturing over time. Organising more frequent, smaller-scale events that focus deeply on one or another aspect of team cohesion provides real added value. This is especially true for companies with a strategic approach that monitors team performance to better tailor team-building choices. This leads to greater collective performance, smoother communication, and stronger participant engagement.
Boosting employer brand perception
More companies are realising the impact that integrating serious games into training, awareness, prevention, or motivation activities has on their brand image. Younger generations prefer to engage with companies that speak to them through media they connect with. They resist traditional top-down communication and prefer learning through play. Initially inspired by digital and video formats, serious games now come in various forms such as role-playing, escape games, and treasure hunts.
Companies are seeing real value in creating tailor-made games that meet their specific needs.
The famous escape games
After becoming popular in cities across the globe, escape games are now entering the corporate space. Requiring minimal equipment, escape games are highly sought after by companies—not just because they’re trendy, but also because they’re so versatile. These activities call on a variety of skills such as observation, logic, and out-of-the-box thinking, while also helping reveal and analyse group dynamics.
Classics that never go out of style
Treasure hunts and scavenger hunts remain staples that continue to draw great interest. In a country where nearly 50% of the workforce are cross-border workers, companies are eager for programmes that combine team cohesion with local heritage discovery.
A recent twist: digital has entered the scene, replacing the traditional paper roadbook. This greatly simplifies logistics and opens new possibilities for challenges. Using mobile phones also enhances team communication—further strengthening cohesion.
Thanks to their benefits in terms of communication and team spirit, team-building activities are the ideal tool for improving team performance and easing what is often a challenging return to the workplace.
Netty Thines
Communication Consultant
Mediation SA