Can Building A Bookshelf Build Teamwork?

How can CSR Bookshelf Build-a-thon can test teamwork? Sounds so cliché right?

You might be thinking:
“Aiya, I’ve built IKEA furniture before — no problem lah. What’s so hard about putting together a bookshelf?”

Well, that’s exactly what many confident people first think when they start our CSR Bookshelf Build-a-thon. And surprisingly, it’s often these same people who end up slowing the team down.

After organising a few of these build-a-thons, one thing became very clear to us:
It’s not about how many people you have in a team — it’s about how many people are actually working together.

Building Alone vs Building Together

Yes, building a bookshelf by yourself is an achievement.

But building it together — designing it, splitting roles, solving problems, under pressure — that’s a completely different story.

When you build furniture at home, no one’s chasing you with a timer. But in our challenge, you get only 2 hours. That’s it. Two hours to assemble, paint, and deliver a finished product that represents your team’s creativity and collaboration.

And this is where all the drama unfolds…

Some teams just dive in without looking at the manual.
Some people stand around waiting for instructions.
Some give instructions but don’t lift a finger.
Others quietly go off doing their own thing, disconnected from the rest.

You start to see the cracks when roles are unclear, or worse — when there are too many “leaders” but not enough listeners.

So… how do you balance all these personalities?

... to make sure you are building teamwork while building bookshelves.

Who reads the manual?
Who sorts the screws?
Who draws and paints?
Who takes the lead - and is everyone okay with that?
How do you make sure everyone contributes, not just one or two carrying the whole weight?

These are questions we observe being answered in real time. And believe me, it’s more intense than it sounds.

Painting with Purpose

And just when you think you’re done — surprise! There’s the art component.

Every team is given acrylic paints to decorate their bookshelf. Sounds fun, right? But again, teamwork is tested here.

Someone might have a great painting idea. But do they communicate it clearly? Does the rest of the team agree? Can you make it a shared vision, or does it become a tug-of-war over colours and themes?

Some teams argue for a while, then suddenly find common ground — and the result is a beautifully painted, sturdy bookshelf that looks like something out of Pinterest. Other teams? Half-painted shelf, dripping wet, paint brushes flying around, leftover screws in the box.

Same time limit. Same materials. Vastly different results.

So, what’s the real lesson here?

Teamwork isn’t about just being in the same space. It’s about trust, communication, shared responsibility, and sometimes — a little bit of humility.

And here’s the truth: how your team works under pressure, how you deal with confusion, disagreement, or even silence — that’s what our Bookshelf Build-a-thon is really testing.

The bookshelf? That’s just the canvas.

Building Bookshelves AND Teamwork with Braver Strides

So the next time you think building a bookshelf is easy, try doing it with a group of colleagues, a ticking clock, and a single paintbrush to share.

It’s not just about nuts and bolts — it’s about how people come together to create something meaningful, under pressure, with purpose.

And if that’s the kind of experience you want for your next CSR or team-building event —
build it with us at Braver Strides.
You bring the team, we’ll bring the challenge.

CSR Team Building at Braver Strides

We bring your strategy to life with immersive, purpose-led experiences:

Wheelchair Build‑A‑Thon – Mobility meets dignity in powerful, hands-on giving.
Pedal Power (Kids’ Bikes) – Bright wheels and brighter futures.
Solar Spark – Light + hope packaged by your team.
Bookshelf Build‑A‑Thon – Creating space for literacy and dreams.
Creative Workshops – Like clay diffusers or coffee scrubs—small-scale acts of sustainability that build skills and connection.

Each experience is HRDC-claimable, scalable, and tailored to your business goals.

Bringing It All Together

Because while building bookshelves, you're also building your team.

Building a CSR strategy isn’t a checkbox. It’s an invitation to embed purpose into every aspect of your business—from the boardroom to the factory floor, from frontline staff to leadership teams.
When CSR is strategic and lived, benefits multiply: employee pride, customer loyalty, community goodwill, brand strength, and sustainable growth.

At Braver Strides, we help you craft, execute, and measure impactful CSR team-building — so that doing good also does good for your company.

Ready to build something meaningful with the right CSR Strategy?

CSR isn’t just about good intentions—it’s about guided impact, sustainable outcomes, and real transformation. If you want a CSR strategy that moves hearts and mountains, let’s start building together.

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