10 Reasons your Employees Need Team Building

Team building has been around forever, but… has it been done correctly in the recent years?

With remote and hybrid work on the rise, the team building that everyone needs might be a little different. Keeping your team connected is non-negotiable, and guess what?

Team building isn’t just fun and games—it’s an essential investment in productivity, engagement, and workplace harmony.

Here’s why team building matters, backed by research, stories, and facts that might just surprise you.

What is team building?

At its core, team building is about creating a group of individuals who work cohesively toward a common goal. Through structured activities, workshops, or even casual get-togethers, team building helps employees develop trust, enhance communication, and boost problem-solving skills.

Think of it as creating the glue that holds teams together—whether in person or virtual. From escape rooms and trivia nights to collaborative brainstorming sessions, team building can take many forms, but the impact is always the same: stronger connections and better teamwork.

1. Enhances Employee Engagement

Engaged employees are happy employees, and team building is a proven way to increase engagement. According to Gallup, women who have a work best friend are more than twice as likely to be engaged in their work than those who don’t. Activities that foster friendships and trust not only improve individual happiness but also boost team productivity.

2. Encourages Better Communication

Engaged employees aren’t always happy, but disengaged employees are almost always unhappy.

Of course, there are many ways to keep your employees engaged.Team building is one of them, or maybe it’s a big umbrella word to include everything that can keep employees engaged. According to Gallup, women who have a work best friend are more than twice as likely to be engaged in their work than those who don’t. Activities that foster friendships and trust not only improve individual happiness but also boost team productivity.

3. Builds Trust Among Team Members

Trust is the foundation of every successful team. When employees trust each other, they are more likely to share ideas, support one another, and work toward collective success. Icebreaker games or collaborative problem-solving tasks — like building a bridge out of paper clips — may seem simple but create lasting bongs.

Fun Fact: Companies with high levels of trust report 50% higher productivity, according to Harvard Business Review.

4. Promotes Creativity and Innovation

Ever notice how the best ideas often come from brainstorming sessions where everyone feels comfortable sharing? That’s no coincidence!

Team building activities encourage out-of-the-box thinking by creating an environment where employees feel safe exploring new ideas.

Storytime: Pixar once hosted an internal “bad idea” competition to encourage employees to pitch their wildest, least practical ideas—some of which eventually led to breakthrough concepts in their films.

5. Reduces Workplace Stress

Engaged employees aren’t always happy, but disengaged employees are almost always unhappy.

6. Fosters Collaboration Across Departments

In many companies, teams work in silos, with little opportunity to interact with other departments. Team building breaks down those barriers by encouraging cross-departmental collaboration. Imagine the creative solutions that emerge when marketing brainstorms with IT or sales works with HR!

7. Helps Identify Hidden Leaders

Team-building activities often reveal unexpected skills among employees. That quiet team member who led their group through an escape room? They might have untapped leadership potential. Activities give managers a chance to observe team dynamics and identify emerging leaders.

8. Boosts Problem-Solving Skills

Whether it’s solving a murder mystery game or tackling a real-world project, team-building exercises hone employees’ ability to think critically and collaborate under pressure. This translates directly to the workplace, where teams face challenges daily.

Storytime: A major airline once used a role-playing team-building activity to train their staff for handling real-time emergencies. The result? A more confident, cohesive crew during unexpected turbulence.

9. Strengthens Company Culture

A positive company culture doesn’t just happen—it’s built through intentional effort, and team building is a cornerstone. When employees feel connected to their team and aligned with company values, it fosters a sense of belonging that’s hard to beat.

According to Deloitte, organizations with a strong sense of culture are 1.5 times more likely to experience revenue growth and 2.5 times more likely to retain employees.

10. Reinforces the Importance of Fun in the Workplace

Work doesn’t have to be all serious all the time. Incorporating fun through team building shows employees that the company values their happiness and well-being. A game of office trivia or a scavenger hunt isn’t just enjoyable—it’s a reminder that the workplace can be a space for joy and connection.

Wrapping Up

Team building isn’t just a box to check off during onboarding or annual retreats. It’s a continuous process that strengthens relationships, boosts productivity, and creates a sense of purpose within the workplace. Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, the right activities can bridge gaps, build trust, and inspire collaboration like never before.

So, why wait? Start incorporating team-building activities into your workplace culture today and watch your employees—and your company—thrive.

Encourage participants to share what they learned, how they felt about the activities, and how they might apply these insights back in their professional lives.

Ready to Transform Your Team?

If you’re looking to turn competition into collaboration and create a stronger, more unified team, the Sotong Game is the perfect team-building experience for you. Not only will your team enjoy a day filled with unique challenges and strategic fun, but you’ll also be contributing to a charitable cause with every success. It’s a win-win situation, where everyone walks away with something valuable.

Contact us today to arrange your very own team building event and discover how this innovative approach can bring your team closer together while making a difference in the community.