How can improve team building activities

Team building is the philosophy of taking a group of individuals and training them to work as parts of an interconnected team. Activities for team building are centered on taking a group and simulating situations that will allow them to learn skills that will help them to work more efficiently as a team. Activities for team building range from less physical classroom based learning activities to more engaging outdoors experiential learning. Classroom based learning can range from single day consulting or training to multi-day, in-depth training programs designed to get to the heart of a groups issues and work through those issues. 

The type of team building program that is right for each individual organization will differ depending on the specific challenges faced by those groups. Activities for team building in these groups can range from low ropes initiatives and activities to higher-physicality based programs such as a high ropes course. On low ropes programs, teams are taken through a series of initiatives designed to simulate risk environments where participants can work on interdependence, co-operation, communication, and other important team building concepts. The participants will have to work together as a large group to complete each task and afterwards a facilitator will walk the group through a debriefing process designed to help connect the activities to real world learning.

Other types of activities for team building include a high ropes course or other high elements such as a climbing wall or zipline. These activities are more physical based and will focus on aiding the participant in learning hands-on teambuilding that translates to real-world scenarios. A high ropes course is utilized as a team building experience in allowing the team to work through specific challenges and tasks that test their ability to effectively co-operate with one another to complete the course. The activities for team building on the ropes course range from elements such as the wild woozy to bridge crossings. 

All activities for team building listed share the commonality of allowing participants a simulated risk environment that will allow them to work on important skills for working with others in the modern work environment. After going through a professional team building experience an individual is better suited with important tools that will allow them to succeed where others may fail. A team building experience is a highly powerful bonding experience that can take an organization from shaky foundations to solid ground.

Inspirational Quotes and Leadership Development

Throughout our history, we remember inspirational quotes when we need that extra kick to get going. They provide motivation and can strengthen resolve to get the job done. Aside from that though, how can we effectively use inspirational quotes for leadership development in an organization?

According to Dr. Susan Cain, “Inspirational quotes can help inspire and motivate individuals to perform at higher levels. Inspirational quotes are useful for helping people when they’re down or are on a rebound from life’s many pitfalls”. This is useful for leadership development because leaders can use inspirational quotes to inspire and motivate their subordinates to get the job done, or to offer support in case a subordinate is having a difficult time. There are a few well known individuals whose inspirational quotes can be used as guide. One such example would be from Henry Ford, inventor of the Model T car,

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”

To interpret this, stay focused on your goals. Otherwise you’ll be bogged down in everything stopping you. Another good quote to consider would be by Arthur Ashe,

“Start where you are. Use what you have.  Do what you can.”

To interpret this, start small and simple, use what’s available, and keep within your limits for your task. You don’t always have to do everything and anything, just do enough to do what is needed. A final, good inspirational quote is by Helen Keller, who is well known for her success despite her handicaps:

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.”

To sum this one up, if something doesn’t work out, don’t worry and fixate on it; there’ll be more chances in the future.

In short, inspirational quotes can be used by leaders to not only convey a message of support or motivation, but also as a means of engaging with their subordinates and showing them that they care. This way not only does the subordinate get that motivation to keep going, but it shows that their leader cares for them. This is crucial for leadership development because having a good relationship with employees always benefits the leader and the organization in the long run. So in short, always keep in mind the strength that inspirational quotes can have, and the benefit they give while developing as a leader.