How can you find team building activities that cater to remote teams?

Sometimes, technology is our friend! Leverage video conferencing capabilities when you can, so that your teammates can see each other, read body language, and share in the informal dynamics of the group. Once a month, we 'share' lunch via video conference; other weeks, we do Lunch with Leaders at each site, using the guideline that we talk about anything but work during the hour. IF or when conversation drags, we use question card decks to spark conversation and build the team. Frequently, we find these local conversations end up shared in our team chat rooms and carry over to the broader group. It has been a very successful way to build trust and bond our geographically diverse team.

Virtual icebreakers, as highlighted, serve as an effective tool to initiate conversations and cultivate a sense of camaraderie among team members. By encouraging personal sharing in a non-intrusive manner, these activities facilitate connection and build rapport essential for effective collaboration. Furthermore, the incorporation of online games and creative workshops injects an element of fun and creativity into team interactions, fostering a positive and engaging environment conducive to team building. Collaboration projects and skill-sharing initiatives provide opportunities for mutual learning and collective problem-solving, reinforcing the collaborative spirit within the team.

I was leading a team of two groups who were merging after an acquisition during the COVID Pandemic. I used a virtual icebreaker event and asked each team member to describe their at home work station and particularly one or two items in it that were meaningful to them. It was a good way for them to introduce themselves.

Teams meeting and conversation is much more tiring than the physical one, but its more convenience since you can do it anywhere you are. But you must always put an ice breaker, and that's where we found out Kahoot, which really shows the interest and competitiveness of my colleagues. Putting some relevant questions in the game makes more ideas will come up when you resume the meeting and makes it more productive.

My go to ice breaker for day one new teams is, "what are you an expert in?" It allows people to chat for a moment or two about something they are confident in and starts a foundation of respect for the past experience brought to the table. It also gives people a chance to let you into their world and maybe find someone in the team they have something in common with. It also can be a challenge for someone to say, "I am an expert in xyz". A boost of self confidence from saying that in the super hero pose is a great way to start a meeting.

A few things I've found helpful in this arena are team trivia and virtual escape rooms. For trivia, you can use platforms like Kahoot! or QuizBreaker. Prepare trivia questions in advance or use pre-made quizzes. Ensure teams are mixed to promote interaction across different departments or project groups. For virtual escape rooms, partner with services that specialize in virtual escape rooms, such as The Escape Game or Enchambered. These services provide all necessary instructions and materials, ensuring a seamless experience. Teams can debrief afterward to discuss strategies and teamwork.

One way that I have created a team atmosphere when member of my employees are all over the country is creating games that involve teams. For example East vs West Coast. Salespeople are very competitive and in their nature to take on any challenge. But include inside sales, opperations, and any members that you want your team to interact with. Create a fun atmosphere that is light hearted while relationship building.

After a virtual icebreaker I lead with two team I was leading that were merging after an acquisition during the COVID Pandemic, I ran through a few online games with the group. I spare you the game(s) details, but they involved the having the team from the purchaser-side of the acquisition giving instructions to the bought-side of the acquisition. I premised the game as a way to judge how well the “purchasers” might be able to explain the way we worked and how well the “boughts” could listen & learn. We may not have learned a great deal about that, but we had fun and we did get a little insight as to how communication might go as we combined talents and cultures.

A favorite online game is a scavenger hunt. Use clues to items that can be found in most homes- toilet paper, rice, candles etc. Bonus points can be given for specific colors or scents of things (stay away from brand choices, not everyone can afford the brand names). Bonus points can remain secret in a sealed envelope too!

- Be sure to consider the desired outcomes of the workshop when choosing what creative activity makes sense for the team. - Think of activities that help individuals showcase underrepresented sides of themselves and encourage them to bring their full selves into the experience. - Even in virtual settings, encourage participants to move to a new location they don’t normally work from to break free from their routines and habits.

A nice way to practice presentation skills and dealing with the uncertainty that comes with public speaking is to create a random power point deck of pictures. A potato on one slide, someone with silly glasses, and finally a graph of tv watch time for Minnesota in 1988. Have someone pick a topic and start speaking on. When you are ready show slide one. They need to incorporate that slide into their talk. This is sure to bring lots of laughs and an opportunity to show off those skills!

Skill shearing It is the most important factor, this skill sharing will save many hours. We need to identify the skill of each people ask them to share the best. This will help new member to know the skill about him and his sharing will help them to learn and grow. This is important to build network inside office. We need to check out our skill periodically and increase it to meet the current competition.

Reflective discussions offer a platform for introspection and feedback, enabling team members to share insights and experiences, thereby promoting continuous improvement and strengthening team dynamics. Overall, the combination of these activities, powered by AI and insights from the LinkedIn community, demonstrates a holistic approach to remote team building, catering to diverse preferences and fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support within the team.

As an SDR Leader, I find team building activities for remote SDR teams: Survey the Team by understanding their interests and time zones. The most important is to create healthy/ friendly competition among the team. and when it comes to virtual Icebreakers Start meetings with quick, fun questions to build rapport. Online Games are actually pretty good, Engage with creative, Pictionary, or other interactive games that involve two parts of a team. Social Events: Plan virtual coffee breaks or happy hours for casual bonding. and with These activities help keep our SDR team connected and motivated remotely

As an expert in team building and remote work dynamics, I find this message to be insightful and practical in addressing the challenge of fostering cohesion among remote teams. The outlined suggestions, such as virtual icebreakers, online games, creative workshops, collaboration projects, skill sharing, and reflective discussions, offer a diverse array of activities to engage team members and strengthen bonds despite geographical separation.