Self-awareness leads to better team building because participants are able to look at how their own emotions, thoughts, and actions lead to creating a healthier, more high-functioning organization where people get along and work well together.
I facilitate many team building workshops and the participants sometimes get confused when they realize they aren’t going to be climbing a tree or catching each other as they fall backward. It’s a natural reaction because a lot of what is presented as team building might actually be team bonding. Here’s the difference:
Team Building
- Focuses on behaviors and their effect on workplace functioning.
- Helps people learn how to work with each other and get along well.
- Builds skills like communication, planning, problem-solving and conflict resolution.
- Builds empathy and compassion.
- Encourages long-term behavior change.
- Helps people build genuine connections.
- Is practiced over time.
- Encourages deeper discussion and processing.
Team Bonding
- Focus on fun activities.
- Brings people together by encouraging collaboration and teamwork.
- Helps people see each other in a different light.
- Allows people to connect in a different setting.
- Usually a one-time activity.
- Helps people get out of the workplace and relax.
- Encourages people to have fun together.
- Sometimes asks people to think about the implications of the activities on their workplace.
The major difference between the two approaches is that team building is a long-term process that encourages self-awareness and creates behavioral change while team bonding tends to be a short-term, fun experience. If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up then team bonding is your thing. If you’re looking at foundation building and long-term change then team building will help you get there.
As a leader, you get to choose what kind of workplace you create. I’ve found that highly successful (and happy) organizations commit to a long-term team building approach that helps people build self-awareness to think and behave in ways that benefit them and their work environment. Learning effective team building takes time and effort but it creates lasting success and a company culture that encourages positive behaviors. What will you do to develop self-awareness and promote effective team building in your organization?
Cheers,
Guy
