Team Building in Tough TimesOriginal Article from the Harvard Business ReviewWritten by Pat OlsonSummarized by Museum Hack

Chances are, anyone who has worked for a corporation has suffered through at least one irrelevant or embarrassing team-building exercise.

But used wisely, they can:

● improve morale● foster cohesiveness

● increase motivation

● focus a team on a problem.

Team-building can help sort out unproductive conflicts within teams.

The best ones also give employees insight about their organization.

When companies are monitoring expenses so carefully, can they really justify paying for team building exercises?

It’s in times like these that team-building activities are most needed.

In turbulent periods, employees may be fearful about the future of the company, and may worry that they may be the next to be laid off.

Managers need to be honest, acknowledge the stress employees are feeling, and validate their concerns.

Team building becomes a means of regrouping staff.

When a team is learning to operate in a new

environment, group activities designed to foster collaborative problem solving can be especially productive.

Have your team engage in purely fun activities.

It may reduce stress and foster togetherness, and can make employees feel good about their company.

Team Building Tip

Account for different styles and personalities.

Use activities that have different roles to choose from in order to make space for everyone.

Team Building Tip

Choose a facilitator who will tailor the program to you.

Make sure they will work on what you want to accomplish rather than insisting on what they think you need.

Team Building Tip

Companies can’t simply cut costs or downsize as a way to be successful; part of any restructuring effort must focus on innovation.

If you want to jump start innovation, team-building exercises can contribute to long-term success.

“Team-Building Exercises for Tough Times”

Original article written by Pat Olson, Journalist

for the Harvard Business Review.

Summarized by Museum Hack About, Company News, @MuseumHack on Twitter

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Twitter: @HarvardBiz