HR professionals in companies are not in an easy situation nowadays, as the general shortage of labor affects almost every sector. As a result, numerous creative recruitment techniques have emerged in recent years. However, it is not enough to find them, it is also necessary to be able to retain the right personnel.

How can we best achieve that the employees remain committed to the workplace in the long run?

In our article we discussed one of the methods leading to the formation of a good team, a possible retention force.

What determines the satisfaction of the employees?

Far from the salary being the most important factor. It also depends on factors such as the work environment, corporate culture, the immediate supervisor's person and effective internal communication.

The most important thing, however, is the cohesion among colleagues - that is, what kind of team they belong to. Research results have also shown that a large majority of employees are encouraged by a good workplace team to remain committed to the company in the long run.

Now even the very small businesses organize team building trainings. It is no coincidence, since a well-functioning team is one of the most important foundations of a successful company. Thus, workplace team building can be an important tool in order to create a strong and cohesive community at the workplace.

How can team building programs help?

Team building programs - although their many advantages are known - are still viewed and received differently among the employees.

Let's take a closer look at what the pros and cons of this could be.

1. Strengthening of Communication and Cooperation

Regular team-building activities and programs allow team members to get closer to each other, learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, and better understand each other's work style.

This facilitates more efficient information flow and faster problem solving. Joint activities, such as group projects or occasional workshops, also provide an opportunity for team members to learn how to work together and communicate effectively with each other - even in stressful situations.

2. Increasing Motivation and Performance

When the team becomes a cohesive community, the members support each other better and fight together for common goals. Cohesion and a motivating environment have a positive effect on the individual performance of the employees and the performance of the team as a whole. Creative ideas and innovation also appear more easily when team members feel they can share their thoughts and experiences freely.

The Emergence of Hidden Talents

At team building programs, participants can encounter tasks in which they can show their special abilities and talents - even those of which their colleagues were not aware of before. This way, in the future, it may be possible to develop these traits at their workplace as well. Not to mention that team building programs usually involve special tasks and problem-solving games that help awaken and energize the participants' creativity. This way, new ideas and solutions can be born that can be useful in workplace tasks as well.

4. New impulses, positive energy

A well-executed team building program offers exciting and entertaining challenges, giving participants new impulses and experiences. These positive experiences recharge the employees with new energy for a while and reinforce the positive atmosphere in the team.

5. Leadership Skills, Leadership Personalities

Team building programs create situations in which participants can take on leadership roles and experience how to lead a team - even if they don't work in a leadership position. For example, it can be revealed during a team building event who could be a suitable candidate for future leadership positions.

Not everyone likes....

Team building at the workplace, although it has many advantages, also has certain challenges. Costs, time requirements, conflicts and resistance from the employees are all factors that must be taken into account.

Planning, organizing and executing programs can be time consuming, and participation costs, such as trainer fees, venue rentals or equipment purchases, can be burdensome for companies. Participation during working hours is also a controversial issue, as it can affect workflows and efficiency.

These challenges, however, can be mostly overcome with proper planning and support from the leaders.

For effective team building in the workplace, it is advisable to choose targeted programs, support participation and commitment, make the team building attractive to the employees and it is also advisable to continuously develop and further think about the programs.

It is worth looking at it as an investment for the success of the team and the business. By taking into account the advantages and disadvantages, it is possible to better prepare for the challenges posed by the team building process and make team work more efficient.