3 Creative Activities for Building Virtual Teams
With the end of the COVID pandemic in sight, the expectation is that most of us will be heading back to the office — assuming we’re not there already.
So that’s the end of virtual teams, right?
Not quite, as it turns out. It seems that undoing the radical changes the pandemic caused isn’t as easy as flipping a switch.
If anything, remote work is expected to increase, with some estimates saying that up to 70% of the workforce will be doing regular virtual work, even if the majority of their work is in-person.
If anything like that shift comes to pass, then virtual team building will be an important part of our future. To help prepare for the new normal, here are some creative virtual team-building activities to help get your team excited for the future.
Let’s get into it:
- Create a Story
Stories are integral to the human experience. Ever since the first of us gathered around a fire together, we’ve understood each other through the medium of storytelling. And it can be a great way to bring your team closer together.
For this activity, give every teammate a randomized set of words that they all share in common, and tell them each to compose their own story using only those. The limited vocabulary will not only stretch their creative muscles but can lead to some hilarious moments. And few things bond a group together better than laughter.
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- Play a Game of “Who Are You?”
This activity is a perfect ice-breaker for new team members.
Every one of your employees is has a unique personality. And building a functioning team means ensuring everyone is aware of each team member’s strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies.
So, what you do is host an event where you have everyone tell their stories in their own words. Start with yourself to encourage confidence in your team. The act of sharing can encourage openness and strong communication, as well as helping everyone understand what they each bring to the table and making them function better as a unit.
- Use Online Office Games
If none of these feels like the right fit for you, or if you just want something a little more than what you could put together on your own, there is a fix for that.
Virtual team building has become an industry in and of itself, with firms providing high-quality, premade activities that can help build participation and teamwork for your group.
Whether it’s virtual escape rooms, art jamming, or even simulated time travel, they can offer experiences that your team would otherwise be unable to participate in and enjoy.
Virtual Teams Will Be Pivotal to the Future of Business
21 years ago, we all expected that the new millennium would bring advancements as well as challenges. That we would see the ways we live and work change. Though after this last year, I don’t think any of us expected that to come to pass quite so quickly.
But we need not be discouraged. By preparing our virtual teams now for the new normal, we can best position ourselves to thrive in the years to come.
Of course, the new normal won’t just impact how we conduct our teams. To know that you’re always prepared for what tomorrow brings, be sure to keep up with all of our latest blog posts.
