Boss and Employee Face-Off

Team building is one of the best events days that corporate companies can have. Employees are finally able to get revenge on their boss and it encourages all those quiet people to come out of their shells. You get to see the other side of your co-workers in a relaxed environment, and let's face it, out-shining your boss might get you fired in the office, but in a team-building challenge, there are no holds barred.

Paintball is one team building event where a bit of rivalry is needed. The game involves dividing staff members into teams with each member receiving a gun loaded with paint balls. Protective gear is used for safety purposes. There are different strategies that can be applied to _playing the game _and these can be adapted to _ suit _every character. If you are not much of a physical person, you could take the _stealthier approach. If you are physically fit, then running and shooting might be a better option for you.

Team building is about improving communication between employees and working on personal areas such as decision making, delegation and proving your leadership skills. However, it is also a way for everyone to bond and learn to work together. It's an opportunity to release pent up feelings and exact revenge. It helps to build on personal networking. Team building reminds you that everyone has his or her weak areas as well as strong points.

A popular team building exercise in the UK is Blind Driving. This activity involves blindfolding the driver of a go-cart, while his or her partner navigates their way through an obstacle course. Managers should take this opportunity to let their employees lead them for a while, while they drive without sight. The exercise serves to build trust between the driver and partner.

There are plenty of opportunities for employees to show their skill in other areas. Employees rarely have the opportunity to show off their problem solving techniques in the office, as this task normally falls under the supervisor's jurisdiction. However, in team building, employees will be involved in exercises both mental and physical that need input from everyone. You will discover facets of your colleagues' skills that can be used to better advantage in the office.

Team building is a fairly new trend in the corporate environment. It enhances team spirit, as when they are back in the office, employees have something else to talk about other than the next deadline. Team building brings a personal aspect into the office and gives employees opportunities to talk to co-workers that previously they wouldn't have.

Teams are normally picked at random in order to mix it up a bit. Designers will be with people from accounts and sale managers will be with IT technicians. This brings an unusual diversity to exercises such as treasure hunting.

Your initial projection as to how people from different departments might respond will probably be based on stereotypes. Sale managers might automatically think they should be involved in more physical activities than IT technicians, as IT staff are known for sitting in front of computers. But you might be pleasantly surprised to find that not everyone can be identified with a stereotype.

Team building creates opportunities for good photos and increases company moral. Employees will be able to laugh about events and discuss how everybody fared. They won't feel so shy when talking to people from different departments or trusting a co-worker with a task. Of course, there will also be the added benefit of seeing your boss walk with a limp due to that paintball that mysteriously hit him or her in the leg.

Celeste writes for RBA Events who specialize in Event Coordination.