Informal activities such as team-building games can serve as a valuable instrument for improving morale and productivity by enhancing the group’s cohesiveness. Various games can be successfully used to achieve this goal, depending on the group development stage. For example, a simple “Trading Cards” game would be beneficial during the group forming stage. The game requires only index cards, markers, and ten to fifteen minutes of free time. Every group member takes a blank card and writes their name, nickname, a short psychological self-portrait, and a single interesting fact about them (Tit, 2022). After that, players start trading cards without particular order. Group members can hold onto the cards they find interesting and start conversations with their original owners (Tit, 2022). Overall, I liked this game for being a simple and effective way of getting team members to know each other. As a team leader or a supervisor, I might improve on it by asking team members to write additional true or false facts about themselves. As a result, informal conversations might become more open and interesting for the players.
Team performance frequently depends on shared values and principles that unite its members. In this regard, the “Code of Conduct” game helps establish group values and build mutual trust (Spure, 2019). Team members express what they consider meaningful and pleasant in a project, seminar, or any related type of group activity. After that, a supervisor records the notes on a whiteboard, and group members discuss how to create a “meaningful” and “pleasant” atmosphere (Spure, 2019). In my opinion, this game is excellent for developing a set of mutually respected values and principles within the group during the performing stage. Unlike the long and formal official Codes of Conduct, the team-developed Code would reflect team members’ unique perspectives. As a supervisor, I would improve the activity by printing the Code and handing the results of our work to everyone, provided that the group is relatively small.
References
Spure, K. (2019). 51 best employee team building games for improving productivity at work. DeskTime. Web.
Tit, M. (2022). 22 team building activities that your team won’t sigh at. Paymo. Web.