As a small business owner, hiring each new employee is a significant investment. Despite the fact that over 80% of small businesses have no employees, the remaining 20% of small businesses employ 61.7 million workers. However, small businesses are struggling to find new employees. Investing in team building can have multiple benefits that could help keep the cost of investing in a new employee low, while also providing fulfillment. By building a strong team, small business owners can create a positive work environment, improve productivity, and reduce employee turnover. Therefore, investing in team building can be a great way for small business owners to retain and attract top talent, while also improving the overall success of their business.

In this article, we’ll uncover the 8 benefits of team-building activities and workshops that we’ve seen across all our customers.

1. Increases productivity

Team building activities increase productivity by fostering better communication and collaboration among employees. By building relationships and trust with each other, employees are more likely to work together to solve problems and complete tasks efficiently. Team building also helps to identify individual strengths and weaknesses, which can be leveraged for better delegation of tasks, leading to more engaged and motivated employees. Additionally, team-building activities can reduce stress and boost morale, leading to a more positive workplace culture and increased productivity. Overall, team building helps to create a more cohesive and effective team, which can lead to better outcomes and higher productivity.

2. Encourages creativity + critical thinking
Team building activities can increase creativity by encouraging employees to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. By working together in a collaborative and supportive environment, team members can bounce ideas off each other and build upon each other's creativity. Team building activities can also help break down hierarchical barriers and foster a more open and inclusive culture, where all team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas. Finally, team building activities can provide a change of pace from routine work tasks, allowing employees to recharge their creative energy and approach their work with a fresh perspective.

3. Stronger communication
Team building activities can increase communication by providing opportunities for team members to interact with each other in a relaxed and informal setting. By participating in team-building activities, employees can get to know each other on a personal level and build relationships that can translate into better communication and collaboration at work. Team building activities can also help break down communication barriers and promote active listening, which is essential for effective communication in the workplace.

4. Improve morale
Team building can improve morale by creating a positive and engaging workplace culture where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated. Through team building activities, employees can form bonds with their colleagues and build trust, which can lead to improved communication and collaboration. Additionally, team building activities can help employees recognize their individual strengths and how they contribute to the success of the team, leading to a sense of accomplishment and pride. By investing in team building, employers show that they care about their employees and are committed to creating a positive work environment, which can have a significant impact on employee morale and job satisfaction.

5. Build trust
Team building activities can build trust by providing opportunities for team members to work together in a collaborative and supportive environment. By participating in team-building activities, employees can develop a better understanding of each other's strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles. They can also learn to rely on each other and build trust through shared experiences and challenges. Additionally, team-building activities can help break down barriers and foster a more open and inclusive culture, where all team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas and opinions. Overall, team building can be an effective way to build trust among team members, which can lead to better communication, collaboration, and ultimately, improved performance.

6. Discover strengths and weaknesses
During team building workshops, strengths and weaknesses can be identified through a variety of activities and exercises that focus on different skills and abilities. For example, team-building activities that involve problem-solving or critical thinking can help identify employees who excel in these areas. Activities that require creativity or innovation can highlight employees who are strong in these skills. Additionally, team-building activities that involve physical challenges or teamwork can help identify employees who are natural leaders or effective communicators. By observing how employees approach different challenges and tasks during team building workshops, employers can gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses, which can be leveraged for better delegation of tasks and improved team performance. We like to take a data-driven approach and leverage your DiSC Assessment results and your employees’ too to help us get to the root of behaviors.

7. Prevent problems
Team building can prevent problems by improving communication, collaboration, and trust among team members. By participating in team-building activities, employees can develop a better understanding of each other's strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles, which can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts in the workplace. Additionally, team-building activities can help break down barriers and foster a more open and inclusive culture, where all team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas and opinions. This can lead to more effective problem-solving and decision-making, as well as a greater sense of accountability and responsibility for the success of the team. By investing in team building, employers can create a more harmonious and productive work environment, where problems are less likely to arise and are more easily resolved.

8. Employee retention

Team building can have a significant impact on employee retention, as it helps create a positive work culture and improves employee engagement and job satisfaction. According to a study conducted by ClearCompany, organizations with strong employee engagement are 21% more profitable than those with low employee engagement. Furthermore, a study by Gallup found that teams with higher employee engagement had lower turnover rates and were more productive than those with lower employee engagement. By investing in team-building activities, employers can improve employee engagement and retention rates, leading to a more stable and productive workforce.

In conclusion, small business owners face challenges when it comes to hiring and retaining employees. However, by investing in team-building activities, they can build a strong and engaged team, leading to a positive work environment, improved productivity, and reduced employee turnover. This can ultimately help small businesses attract and retain top talent, while also improving the overall success of the business. Learn more about our team building and alignment workshops.