Building Stronger Teams – Incorporating Wellness into Corporate Team Building
In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, the success of a company depends not only on the skills and expertise of its employees but also on the strength of its teams, Incorporating Wellness into Corporate Team Building is an important factor. Despite the threat of AI taking our jobs, for the moment, it is us the humans who are in charge – we are not machines – and we often forget the human element of team building; that is, remembering that our employees have feelings, react to stress, get worn down (by internal and external forces), and need have optimum energy and enthusiasm not only for themselves, but so that they bring their best self to work, and take their best selves home again.
Wellbeing in companies is a fine line between the company “interfering” and instructing employees what they should be doing, and creating an atmosphere, and culture of well-being which the employees deserve – the company thus is rather a net benefit to the individual, rather than a destructive, or negative force. Negative and demotivated staff, of course, can have a company-wide impact – so, it is in the interest of the company to optimise and facilitate the very best experience for the employee, not least to retain talented, engaged staff.
Benefits of Incorporating Wellness into Corporate Team Building
I want to explore here the benefits of incorporating wellness into corporate team building and provide practical ideas for creating a healthy and cohesive work environment. As an example, I am currently working in a team within a very large transport logistics company – as with many organisations, this team is under the constant threat of change, and re-organisation, under the direction of external management consultants – of course, these external companies do not take into consideration the bonding of the team (humans bond through a hormonal cascade, including oxytocin)
Rather look at “efficiency” and are often based on other models that have been utilised in other companies – they fail to take into consideration, that a team built over many years, is equal to the relationship we might have with our family – ripping or changing a team can have severe long term effects on individuals, and on the work performance of that individual – and in turn the organisation. Of course, the whole company structure is more like an entity rather than anything that takes into consideration anything on a human scale; lives can be up-ended by these seemly arbitrary decisions, taken by faceless administrators, in effect, re-ordering the deck chairs on the Titanic.
I believe that my contribution to this small team might be impactful, in that, in addressing well-being people within the team can at least consider looking after themselves, and mitigate some of the negative effects of stress, but one of the most important functions might involve just being listened to (in confidence), and being heard, treated like a human, with all the delights and imperfections that brings.
Team Building Activites
Prioritising Wellness in team building activities demonstrates that the organisation values this aspect of their employees’ lives – Incorporating wellness into company life can only really be effective if there is buy-in at a senior leadership level – Wellbeing initiatives can be just tick-box exercises, where everyone is rolling the eyes, and considers the whole thing a waste of time. If the initiative is not genuine and is merely going through the motions, it will be just completely counter productive.
Enhanced Communication and Collaboration
Incorporating wellness initiatives, where the individual feels heard and listened to is an important first step – competitive initiatives are sometimes powerful (like step counting, or taking the stairs) – I would say, though that starts with the foundation of health, which is nutrition – food is a great way to bond teams. I worked with a team in the construction industry – the team leader would take the team out (or get lunch in) at least once a week – this team was the highest performing team by a long way in the whole of the corporation – coincidence? The team took the time to work out differences, plan work schedules, all within a non-threatening collaborative space
Stress Reduction
Of course, the Four letter root problem of Stress in companies is the work itself – so managing workload, and especially relationships with managers (people join companies and leave managers) – but giving workers tools to mitigate workload and workable strategies for balancing work pressures with enjoyable home life is crucial (and crucial for workers being their best in work) – For the last number of years, pressures haven’t just been work pressure or even internal or personal issues, but huge world shocks which can disarm even the most resilient amongst us – where we can, as companies, it is the human thing to do, to take the “tribe” with us, and help them function and operate well, even under stressful conditions.
Ideas for team-building activities might include:
- Outdoor, fitness challenges
- Cooking Classes – along with powerful nutrition strategies
- Volunteer Activities – charity runs, health fairs – or helping at a charity such as UK Harvest (which reutilises wasted food at supermarkets to make, real, fresh food for struggling families – also teaching families how to cook on a small budget)
- Wellness Challenges/activities – yoga, walking, outside meetings
- Breakfast Club- once a week, a healthy breakfast – one that sustains blood sugar management, energy levels, and concentration
Incorporating wellness into corporate team-building activities is a powerful strategy for creating a positive, engaged, responsive and happy workplace – small changes can make a big difference to those things we can our HUMAN resources.
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