Zoom fatigue is real. Virtual team happy hours were fun for a while, but teams are now searching for more creative and engaging ways to stay connected and build rapport. After working from home for nearly a year (with many more months more to come), teams need more ways to connect, break from work, and make up for the lack of socialization that office settings used to provide.
Why Do Virtual Team Building?
Done well, team building is fun, provides relief from the stress of day-to-day work, and helps people get to know each other better. Having a personal connection with your team members makes everyone feel connected and supported in their work and personal lives. Team building can also improve skills like communication, planning, problem-solving, and even conflict resolution.
Re-Engage Your Team During COVID
One thing we’ve learned from COVID is that it’s harder to onboard new people, build trusting relationships, and have informal conversations when everyone is remote. No more hallway conversations. No more impromptu coffees or team lunches. Everything has to be planned and scheduled. And everything takes place on a screen. During the pandemic, team building is one way to spend time together with no work agenda.
Fun Team Building Examples
Early in the pandemic we hosted team happy hours and even brought our pets and children on to our Zoom calls. After nearly a year, it’s time to mix things up and your team is probably ready for a change. Luckily, there are some really creative folks out there who have figured out ways to do this. Just a few examples include puzzle rooms, virtual wine and chocolate tastings, and cooking classes.
No budget? Free activities include Among Us, a multiplayer game of teamwork and betrayal and Meditation Moments – a short guided meditation for your team to recenter before a meeting.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our list of creative virtual team building ideas to increase engagement.
