Applying measures for teambuilding - How to build a strong team

EQF LEVEL (INTERNAL REFERENCE): 4

Keywords:

• stages of teambuilding

Introduction: 

Expected Learning Outcomes:

• Analysing measures for teambuilding

By the end of this learning unit, you will be able to analyse and implement measures for teambuilding.

Content: 

Teambuilding supports the formation and composition of teams. But it can also strengthen team bonding. According to Tuckman, every team goes through various development phases until it works together successfully and reaches its goal together. Which team-building measure can be used when, depends thus also always on the respective phase, in which the team is straight. 

Measures for the orientation phase (forming)

In the orientation phase, the team first has to find itself. Initial getting to know each other takes place. Classic getting-to-know-you, trust, and name-learning games can be used here, such as

• Getting-to-know-you games such as name batting and ball throwing chain
• Scavenger hunt or geocaching help to loosely get to know each other better
• Gordian Knot: Team members stand close together in a circle. They randomly grab outstretched arms. This arm knot must then be untied again together.
• "The Right Shoe": participants must take off their shoes and they are collected. Each round, a shoe is selected by the game leader and placed in the center. By brainstorming as a team, members can infer the characteristics of the owner based on the shoe.

Actions for the Confrontation Phase (Storming)

In this phase, the first conflicts and problems arise in the work. Here, group dynamic games and exercises are suitable to learn cooperation, e.g.

• "Lowering the baton." A rod is placed on the fingers or on outstretched arms of the members, which is to be lowered to the floor. During the process, all fingers or arms must constantly touch the pole.
• "UFO": the team must use materials from the group room to construct a UFO that can be used to transport a raw egg.

Measures for the cooperation phase (Norming)

In the Norming phase, the team acts as a unit. Team cohesion and a joint approach are required. For this, the cooperation must be organized together and the team spirit must be worked on. Group dynamic games and trust games can be used, such as

- "Trust and lead blindly": One team member is blindfolded and allows himself to be led over a distance.

- One member drops backward and trusts that he or she will be caught.

Measures for the Growth Phase (Performing).

The team is in the high-performance phase. The team is creating shared accomplishments. Mutual support is at the forefront. To support this performance phase, communication and performance games are particularly useful, such as:

• "Two truths and a lie": the others have to find out what is true and what is a lie.
• "Building a tower": using seemingly unsuitable materials to build a tower as high as possible.
• Rehearse a performance or make a film shoot.
• Joint undertakings, such as rafting or visiting an exhibition

Measures for the resolution phase (adjourning)

After project completion, the whole team needs to be rewarded, for example with:

• Bicycle tours
• Cultural events
• Wellness events

We see teambuilding measures are many. In order to choose the "right" method, however, the area of application should always be considered. It is also important to consider the purpose to be achieved. Only if this is ensured applied measure also bring success.

SOURCES

• Personalwissen. (2021). Teambuilding: So fördern Sie die Zusammenarbeit in Ihrem Team. Retrieved 24.05.2022 from https://www.personalwissen.de/fuehrung/fuehrungsstil/teambuilding-spiele-erwachsene/
• Bergmann, P. (2022). Teambildende Maßnahmen im Tuckmann Phasenmodell erklärt. Retrieved 24.05.2022 from https://teambuilding-spiele.de/teambildende-massnahmen/?msclkid=6aa896d3d16811ec83aeeb93bae632df
• Kuhlmann, Rhinow (2019). Teambuilding: 6 Ideen für ein stärkeres Teamgefühl. Retrieved 24.05.2022 from https://blog.hubspot.de/marketing/so-formen-sie-ein-erfolgreiches-team