People don’t learn by hearing. They learn by doing. Experiential Learning is the process where participants learn information, and then they immediately put that information into practice. The best type of experiential learning occurs when the participants are active and having fun. In addition, if the content is delivered to a group of people, they tend to also learn by watching their coworkers succeed or fail along the way. The major benefit of this style of teaching is that it can add a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the learning process. The good news is that any experiential learning process, delivered effectively, can be used as a team building activity as well. However, if you match the training that you are offering with the outcome that you desire, you can make a better choice.
Shared Experience Team Building Activities
There are three major styles of shared experience team building activities. The first of which are normal team outings. The second is a professionally organized team building activity. The third is the newest style of shared experience for teams — charity team building. Each of these styles of program have their own strengths and weaknesses. Below are the pros and cons of each:
Team Outings
Instructor Led Team Building Activity
We offer a number of different options in this category. The Camaraderie Quest Treasure Hunt is a fun option here. It lets your group build teamwork outside of the office and have some fun. But it also allows for practical teaching of skills related to personality conflicts and the like. The Charade Murder Mystery and the Creating a Team Culture programs are also good options. The neat thing about each of these programs is that they are highly customizable. They allow the facilitator to focus on the specific needs of your group.
Charity Team Building
The only drawback to this type of program is the investment. If you think about it, you are purchasing an entire team building event plus making a donation to charity. The good news about doing these types of programs with The Leader’s Institute ®, though, is that we do so many of these programs, that we are able to purchase the donated items at a wholesale price. As a result, the retail value of the donated items is much higher than the fee that you pay for the items.
So Which Option is Best?
So basically, if you want an event with an emotional impact, charity programs are perfect. If you are on a budget, though, a professional facilitator is worth the investment. In between these professional programs, have a simple outing every once in a while!
- Team Outings
- Instructor Led Programs: The Camaraderie Quest Treasure Hunt | Charade Murder Mystery | Creating a Team Culture
- Charity Team Building