13 Remote Team Building Activities to Avoid for Genuine Connection

In the era of remote work, team building activities are essential to foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among team members. However, not all team building activities are created equal, and some may actually hinder genuine connection rather than facilitate it. Here are 13 remote team building activities to avoid if you want to nurture authentic bonds with your team.

1. Icebreaker Games Overload

While icebreaker games can be a good way to break the ice, overloading your team with too many of these activities can come off as forced and insincere. Instead, opt for more meaningful and interactive activities that allow team members to share personal experiences and insights. This will help build deeper connections and foster genuine interactions among team members.

Practical Tips:

• Rotate Icebreakers with Storytelling Sessions: Instead of repetitive icebreakers, encourage team members to share personal stories related to their hobbies or recent experiences. This not only breaks the ice but also provides a peek into each other’s lives.
• Limit Frequency: Use icebreakers sparingly. Consider starting a meeting with an icebreaker only once a month rather than every session.

2. Virtual Happy Hours

Virtual happy hours have become increasingly popular as a way to socialize with remote teams. However, these events can sometimes feel artificial and forced, especially if team members are not comfortable with the idea of drinking alcohol on camera. Consider alternative ways to socialize that are inclusive and engaging for all team members, such as virtual team lunches or coffee chats.

Real Examples:

• Virtual Coffee Breaks: Schedule a 15-minute coffee break where team members can join with their favorite beverage, whether it’s coffee, tea, or juice. This informal setting can lead to casual chats and laughter.
• Themed Lunches: Host a themed virtual lunch where everyone brings a dish related to a specific cuisine or culture and shares interesting facts or personal stories related to it.

3. Trust Falls and Physical Challenges

Trust falls and physical challenges may be effective in traditional team building settings, but they can be awkward and impractical in a remote context. Instead, focus on building trust through open communication, active listening, and mutual support in virtual environments. Encourage team members to share their thoughts and feelings openly to strengthen bonds and create a sense of psychological safety within the team.

Step-by-Step Guidance:

• Facilitate Open Discussions: Create a safe space for team members to express their opinions and concerns. Use tools like anonymous feedback forms to encourage honest communication.
• Active Listening Workshops: Conduct workshops focused on developing listening skills. Use role-playing exercises to practice responding to team members’ ideas constructively.

4. Mandatory Fun Activities

Forced fun activities that require team members to participate in games or events they are not interested in can backfire and create resentment within the team. Encourage team members to suggest and organize activities that genuinely resonate with their interests and personalities. This will make team building more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved.

Common Mistakes and Solutions:

• Mistake: Imposing activities without consensus.
• Solution: Use polls or surveys to gather activity ideas. Allow team members to vote on what they’d like to participate in.

5. Generic Team Building Exercises

Avoid generic team building exercises that do not address the specific challenges and dynamics of your remote team. Tailor activities to reflect the values, goals, and communication styles of your team members to ensure relevance and engagement. By customizing activities, you can enhance team cohesion and create a more personalized team building experience.

Professional Insight:

• Conduct a Needs Assessment: Before planning activities, assess what your team truly needs. Is it better communication, more creativity, or something else? Design activities based on these insights.

6. Competitive Team Games

While friendly competition can be a fun way to engage team members, overly competitive team games can create tension and foster a divisive atmosphere. Encourage collaboration and teamwork by focusing on activities that promote shared goals and mutual success. By emphasizing cooperation over competition, you can build a more cohesive and supportive team environment.

Examples of Collaborative Activities:

• Virtual Puzzle Solving: Use online platforms that allow teams to solve puzzles together. The focus remains on collaboration rather than who solves it first.
• Joint Project Challenges: Assign team-based projects where the success depends on collective input and creativity.

7. Outdated Team Building Trends

Stay away from outdated team building trends that no longer resonate with modern remote teams. Keep abreast of current research and best practices in remote team building to ensure that your activities are relevant, meaningful, and impactful. Embrace new and innovative approaches to team building to keep your team engaged and connected in a dynamic work environment.

Data and Trends:

• Current Trends: According to a recent survey, 65% of remote teams find value in virtual reality (VR) experiences for team building. Consider exploring VR options to engage your team.

8. Virtual Escape Rooms

Virtual escape rooms have gained popularity as a remote team building activity, but they may not be suitable for all team members. Some individuals may find the high-pressure and time-sensitive nature of escape rooms stressful and anxiety-inducing. Consider alternative activities that promote collaboration and problem-solving in a more relaxed and inclusive setting. Offer a diverse range of activities to cater to different preferences and comfort levels within the team.

Alternatives:

• Non-Timed Challenges: Create challenges that require problem-solving without a ticking clock. This allows team members to engage without feeling rushed.
• Relaxed Brainstorming Sessions: Host brainstorming sessions where the primary goal is to generate creative ideas in a stress-free environment.

9. Excessive Team Building Surveys

While feedback is essential for improving team dynamics, excessive team building surveys can be overwhelming and intrusive. Keep surveys concise, focused, and purposeful to gather valuable insights without burdening team members with unnecessary or repetitive questions. Use surveys strategically to gauge team morale and preferences, and implement changes based on constructive feedback to enhance team engagement.

Survey Best Practices:

• Limit Frequency: Conduct surveys no more than quarterly to avoid survey fatigue.
• Incorporate Follow-Up: Share survey results with the team and discuss how feedback will be implemented. This transparency builds trust and shows that team input is valued.

10. Virtual Team Building Apps

While virtual team building apps can be convenient for organizing activities, relying solely on technology to facilitate team bonding can detract from the human element of connection. Balance virtual activities with offline interactions and genuine conversations to maintain a sense of authenticity and depth in your team relationships. Foster meaningful connections by combining technology with personal interactions to create a well-rounded team building experience.

Balancing Tips:

• Incorporate Personal Touches: During virtual meetings, take a few minutes for each team member to share personal updates or milestones.
• Offline Challenges: Encourage team members to participate in offline challenges or activities, such as reading a book or trying a new recipe, and then share their experiences.

11. One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Avoid adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to team building activities, as each team is unique and may require different strategies to foster genuine connection. Take the time to understand the personalities, preferences, and communication styles of your team members to customize activities that resonate with each individual. By tailoring activities to individual needs, you can strengthen relationships and create a more inclusive and supportive team culture.

Case Study:

• Tailored Approach Success: A tech company noticed a disconnect in their remote team. By introducing personality assessments and customizing activities based on findings, they saw a 30% increase in team engagement.

12. Overly Structured Events

While structure is important for organizing team building activities, overly structured events can stifle creativity and spontaneity. Allow room for flexibility and improvisation during virtual activities to encourage organic interactions and meaningful connections among team members. Create a balance between structure and spontaneity to foster creativity, collaboration, and genuine engagement within your team.

Flexibility Tips:

• Open-Ended Sessions: Schedule open-ended sessions where the agenda is minimal, allowing team interactions to flow naturally.
• Encourage Spontaneity: Allow team members to suggest topics or activities on the spot, fostering a dynamic and responsive team culture.

13. Team Building Activities Without Follow-Up

Engaging in team building activities is just the first step in fostering genuine connection within your team. Follow up on activities with meaningful discussions, reflections, and action plans to reinforce the bonds created during the activities. Continuously nurture and cultivate your team relationships to sustain long-lasting connections and collaboration. By following up on team building activities, you can strengthen relationships, address any challenges, and foster a culture of ongoing growth and development within your team.

Follow-Up Strategies:

• Reflective Debriefs: After an activity, hold a debrief session to discuss what went well and what could be improved. This reflection helps solidify learning and connection.
• Action Plans: Create action plans based on feedback and insights gained from activities to ensure continuous improvement and engagement. Encourage team members to take ownership of these plans for better outcomes.

By avoiding these common pitfalls and implementing thoughtful, inclusive, and engaging team building activities, you can create a remote work environment where genuine connections thrive, ultimately leading to a more cohesive and productive team.