When you say the words “team building” to your employees, you’re most likely met with a chorus of groans. That’s because they are picturing a typical team building outing, complete with trust falls and ice breakers. Research shows that team building exercises can have real, positive effects on Employee performance.

Of course, that effect is dependent on what kind of activities you’re asking your employees to do. The key is to find a fun or rewarding activity or destination that incorporates team-building aspects, rather than individual or passive endeavors (think white water rafting rather than go-carting). How do you get the benefits of a team building outing without drawing the ire of your team? Here are three outing ideas for Midwest team building. 

1. Tick Tock Escape Games

Kansas City, Kansas

The new escape room phenomenon is a boon for leaders looking to plan a unique and impactful team building activity. In general, escape rooms put players in a physical space where they have to solve a series of puzzles in a set amount of time to “escape” the room. For work teams, these rooms test a group’s problem-solving skills and reward teams for thinking creatively, which can translate to the problem-solving in the workplace. Escape rooms also highlight the skills of individual employees in ways their co-workers may not have noticed before. Finally, escape rooms are a bonding experience, because instead of pitting one group against another, it requires the cooperation of the whole team. 

There are many escape room companies throughout the country. Tick Tock Escape Games in Kansas City takes the escape room experience to another level with creative rooms that offer a truly immersive experience. Their classic room is Beasley’s Billions, which lays out a series of clues and puzzles which the team must solve in an hour to win a portion of Uncle Beasley’s estate. For a more complicated room, try the Pyramid Paradox game, which employs amazing theatrical effects that feel like you’re part of an ancient Egyptian movie. 

2. Habitat for Humanity 

Chicago, Illinois and other Midwest locations 

Beyond the benefit to the community (which cannot be understated), volunteering as a group can be an amazing team-building activity. A study by UnitedHealth Group found that a majority of employees who volunteer with work colleagues said that the experience strengthened their relationships. That same study found that employees who volunteer perform better and are more satisfied in their jobs. Volunteering for an organization like Habitat for Humanity, which has chapters all over the country, also teaches employees new skills and requires team work to complete the task. Habitat welcomes corporate groups, allowing teams to work on a home for a day, or commit to a full home sponsorship. 

3. Go Game 

Indianapolis, Indiana 

If you have a team that is outgoing and up for a creative challenge, try Go Game, which is a customized scavenger hunt with planted actors and creative challenges. Teams race around the city collecting clues and solving tasks by taking photos or making short videos. This kind of activity is particularly useful for a manager who needs one outing for multiple small teams. Go Game is a fun activity that forces teams to make group decisions, allows employees to showcase their personalities, and creates a bond between coworkers.

About Insightlink:  Insightlink Communications is a leader in full service employee surveys and offers a range of employee survey products and services to fit their client's needs. With over 18 years of experience, Insightlink's reputation has been built on giving organizations the knowledge they need to create effective change using their acclaimed employee research, analytics, benchmarking and survey methodologies. Insightlink's expertise in data collection reporting and analytics takes the pressure off organizations that find data overwhelming and daunting creating reports that are digestible and understandable, simple and easy to understand for organizations of any size and experience level. 
For more information please contact Lynn Gore at 866-802-8095 ext 705 or visit our website here.