Team building.
Some inwardly cringe when they hear the word, instantly running through the list of excuses they can utilize to get out of participating on that day–a bad case of influenza, long lost aunt on her deathbed, a last minute meeting scheduled suddenly from a needy client–anything considered better than being locked in a room with the people they work with.
But, it doesn’t have to be that way!
Team members who dread team building are likely victims of team building gone wrong. They’ve experienced the one-off, silly, trust fall based events that are haphazardly scheduled by a leader who doesn’t know much about building a team.
When done right, team building is successful when it is born from an office culture that understands and supports the idea that a bonded team is generally a more productive and effective team. It is a culture that often involves open doors, daily opportunities and encouragement to collaborate, respectful communication, a shared passion for creating a positive work environment around a product you all believe in, one where diversity of ideas is both respected and encouraged.
It is under these circumstances that an organized team building event is less likely to be met with eye rolls and twisted lips. Teams that understand the expectation of collaboration and positive interaction are more likely to embrace your planned picnics and trips to escape rooms. And, just like with anything, if you want to achieve the desired results, those tasked with participating need to be all in.
At the end of the day, well done, interactive, inclusive team building events are able to help with the bonding process of a team. And, studies have proven that a bonded team tends to be a more productive team, a more motivated team, and one that is able to collaborate and communicate more effectively.
Sounds like a winning formula to us.
Think your team could use a little building?
Here are a few local businesses that specialize in just that.
Team Building in Frederick, Maryland: 5 Locations Your Team Will Love
Surelocked In Escape Games
It’s 2019 and you’ve probably heard about escape rooms by now. But, just in care, according to the Surelocked In website,”An Escape Room (a.k.a. “Escape Adventure”) is a team-based, cooperative game where your group must solve a series of riddles and puzzles in order to complete your mission in a themed room. These puzzles can be solved by anyone with an imagination, sense of logic, and critical-thinking skills.” At Surelocked In, you get an hour to complete your adventure and “escape” from the room you’re locked in. And don’t worry, whether you figure it out or not, you leave in an hour so don’t worry about being locked in for good.
Learn more here: Surelocked In Escape Games
Otherworld OCR
For those that don’t know, OCR stands for obstacle course racing. With your body. So, think of the Ninja Warrior competitions we’ve all seen on television before. That’s what we’re talking about, but right here in Frederick led by two super skilled, experienced, and insanely fit coaches. Tim Guinan and Helene Dumais come into the business with seriously impressive fitness accomplishments under their belts and, even though they could probably bench press your entire family, they have this support, passionate demeanor about them that lets you know they won’t judge the fact that you can’t do a single burpee without cramping up and needing a break right afterwards. They are the perfect team building leaders because they are such a great team themselves and they know how to get you and those you bring in with you to work together to get over walls, across rings and more.
Learn more here: Otherworld OCR
Frederick Hops and Vines
For smaller teams (up to 14), the Frederick Hops and Vines tour is a perfect excursion to book to get to know each other while enjoying some of Frederick’s boutique wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Destinations include an exciting mix of established, new, and evolving wineries, breweries and distilleries, and the team at Frederick Hops and Vines takes care of everything for you. The tours can be booked during the week or on the weekend.
Learn more here: Frederick Hops and Vines
Pedego
Explore Frederick with your team on the back of a Pedego Electric Bike. You can rent them at the Frederick location and take your team on one of their guided tours. The Fall in Love with Frederick tour takes you and your group to experience Frederick’s rich history and famous landmarks while guiding you through the city’s most charming neighborhoods. The Pedals and Puzzles tour gives your team 90 minutes to explore the city and score the most points on this epic adventure featuring a Scavenger Hunt from Surelocked In. You even have the opportunity to win monthly prizes by scoring the most points. Round out your day with a lunch at one of the area eateries and you have quite the team building event planned.
Learn more here: Pedego Frederick
Tree Trekkers
Coming to Frederick this spring, this treetop adventure course is set to be the perfect location for a high flying team building activity. The park will offer 14 courses, consisting of over 150 individual aerial obstacles and elements giving participants the chance to zip, swing, climb through the trees at heights of over 50ft above the forest floor.
Learn more here: TreeTrekkers
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.