Do you feel that something is just not working within your organization? Is there a tense atmosphere among your employees? If the answer is yes, then maybe it’s time to improve the relationships between them with a little team building exercise. Team building exercises have been proven to lead to increased productivity because employees learn to cooperate and not be in competition with each other.
Sporting events like co-ed softball and bowling have traditionally been go-to team building events but one activity is making a strong presence in modern team building – laser tag!
Feel at Ease While Working Toward The Same Goal
It’s known that the main resource of a business is actually represented by the people working there. If they have the same purpose in mind and if they internalize it, they become fully committed. The tasks won’t be regarded as work to be done. Instead, they will see it as something that they truly want to do because it’s part of a bigger picture. Suddenly, filing and writing emails is not just that. It’s a means to fulfilling their mission.
When playing laser tag, all of the members make efforts toward the same goal: giving their best for the benefit of the team. It doesn’t matter if you are the owner of the company or just the secretary. Everyone plays a part.
Apart from teaching people how to work together for a common purpose, laser tag is also a means to socialize and have fun. If you feel like your employees are not at ease at the office, such activities will basically make them start knowing each other. The relaxed atmosphere created by the game will literally make even the quiet ones talk. It’s a whole different environment from the office one.
Laser Tag Develops Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
During this game, every team will encounter obstacles that have to be overcome quickly. The leader has to see the bigger picture and the possible ways of solving the problem. He will delegate tasks to each member of his team. Everyone has a specific role and must follow a strategy to attain the goals that the entire team has previously set.
In case that the leader is “killed” by the enemy, somebody else will take his place meaning that the person required to occupy this position will face a whole new situation and must take charge of the team leading it to victory. He may even have to change the strategy. Here’s where employees develop problem solving and decision making skills. They are challenged to overcome obstacles fast every step of the way.
Creative thinking is also developed because it is strongly related with problem solving. When looking for a solution, one must look at several possible ways and then pick the best one. This involves imagination and the ability to anticipate.
Daniel Ward is a freelance author and writes on behalf of Hard Knocks – Orlando’s premier team building facility.