As we finish the first quarter of 2022, the one thing we can be certain of is that the corporate world has been irreversibly altered. The only thing left for the employers to do is catch up to the ever-changing team-building trends.
From a variety of options like online team building activities to outdoor activities, opportunities to build your team in creative, new & improved ways have never been more possible. The team-building activities that a particular workplace chooses also say a lot about what they want their workplace culture to be like.
From virtual team building to customized team building activities, here is a set of trends that will set the tone for the future of your team’s bonding.
1. Online team building
Without any doubt, team building activities that are conducted online are one of the trends that have been popular since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. With major corporate offices in Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi planning to continue working remotely for an indefinite period of time, it is safe to say that virtual team building activities are a great way to connect global teams and will continue to gain more traction.
2. Experience-centered team building
Many companies believe that a team-building activity is only successful if the employees are able to participate in interesting activities and connect meaningfully. This trend accomplishes both aims and focuses on the quality of the event in areas such as novelty, social interaction, and learning quotient. Experience-centered team building engages employees through fun activities that force employees to get out of their comfort zones for the purpose of new experiences. These activities will also be a bonding opportunity for teammates.
3. Team building based on hobbies & learning new skills
Many employees of UAE took the time that they were confined to their homes during the peak of the pandemic to dabble in a variety of hobbies. Now that more and more offices are getting back to offline work, it is only smart for the management to invest in recreational hobby-based or learning-based team-building activities that are sure to keep the employees motivated.
Our ever-evolving world demands that employees keep learning. This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, although many enjoy learning new skills, they struggle to find the time to study on top of work, family, and other obligations. Learning-based team building activities are one of the most helpful team bonding trends in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and all over UAE for busy professionals. By investing in educational team-building activities, employees get a chance to learn on the clock while bonding with coworkers.
4. Team building by hybrid & collaborative tools
As companies postpone plans to return to the office or lean harder into that WFH life, hybrid workplaces are everywhere in the UAE. With that comes a need for hybrid team building. Planning fun virtual team-building activities or in-person events that work for hybrid groups can be a challenge. However, it can be done as long as you remember to be flexible.
Just like how hybrid team building activities are becoming more and more popular across the UAE, collaboration tools that help teams work or participate in activities virtually are also on the rise. From communication to project management to team-building, technology offers an abundance of options. More online collaboration tools spring up every year while existing ones like the Rush-A-Way web app are constantly improving their features and functionality. Some companies grow and thrive by conducting team building activities through these collaborative tools.
5. Customized team building activities
Every team is unique. This is why conducting activities with a “one size fits all” approach may not work. With companies getting back to offline work, many employees may rejoin with new habits or renewed personalities. To accommodate all of the unique personalities of a team, management would want team-building activities specifically tailored to their teams to attain a personal touch.
Examples of customizable team building activities include – scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, leadership training, stress-management sessions, or team runs.
Activities like scavenger hunts can help employees destress & unwind from their tensions at work. This can also boost workers’ creativity & confidence. Hobby based team building activity like scavenger hunts in Dubai also acts as a conversational topic and can come in handy on the job in unexpected ways.
