In a world that’s increasingly digitized, where human connections are often mediated through screens, forging genuine bonds with colleagues is becoming more crucial yet simultaneously more challenging. Now that many people also work from home, it is only natural that the bond is not so strong. Therefore some good team building exercises are becoming more and more necessary.
We believe that team building is not just a trendy HR phrase, but an essential strategy to ensure a harmonious, efficient, and productive workplace. And one of our favorite innovative and immersive methods is the escape room adventure. Drawing participants out of their daily routines and plunging them into a high-pressure, collaborative puzzle, escape rooms serve as a metaphor for workplace challenges and a practical exercise in teamwork.
But why are they particularly effective? In this article we will take a look at the essence of escape rooms and see the many perks of using them as team building exercises. Let’s start!
Let’s get to the essence of an escape room
Escape rooms, for those unfamiliar, are adventure games where participants are locked in a room and must use various clues to solve puzzles and “escape” within a set time.
Originally inspired by video games, the real-life adaptation took off rapidly because of its hands-on and immersive nature. Participants confront various challenges that require a mix of logical reasoning, creativity, dexterity, and observation. No one can escape based solely on individual talent, making collaboration essential.
And this mirrors the complexities of the workplace, where diverse skills and teamwork are required to overcome challenges. As a microcosm of problem-solving and team dynamics, escape rooms offer a concentrated dose of the realities many face in the working environment.
A fun way to foster communication and collaboration
Effective communication is the linchpin of any successful team, and escape rooms are a masterclass in this skill.
Within the confines of the room, teams quickly learn that to progress, they must communicate their findings, discuss potential solutions, and delegate tasks based on individual strengths. And then this promotes active listening and clear articulation of ideas. The environment fosters a sense of equality; regardless of workplace hierarchy, everyone’s input is valuable.
The lessons in open dialogue and mutual respect gleaned from escape rooms are directly transferable to the workplace, making for better collaboration on projects and tasks.
Escape rooms can highlight diverse strengths
Every individual brings a unique set of skills and perspectives to the table. A fact that’s prominently showcased in escape rooms.
While one person might excel in puzzle-solving, another might have keen observational skills. Someone might be a natural leader, guiding the group’s efforts, while another might shine in a supportive role, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Escape rooms provide an opportunity for each member to recognize and appreciate these diverse strengths.
Understanding and valuing the unique contributions of every team member is foundational to building a cohesive, effective workplace unit.
Building resilience and adaptability together
The fast-paced, unpredictable nature of escape rooms serves as an excellent training ground for adaptability and resilience.
Not every solution attempted will work, and teams will often face setbacks. This requires participants to be flexible in their approach and to bounce back from disappointments quickly.
Just as in a real-world work scenario, teams have to recalibrate, adapt, and press forward with renewed determination.
Mastering the art of adaptability and resilience in a controlled environment like an escape room makes facing actual workplace challenges more manageable.
Recommendations for effective escape room team building
If you’re convinced of the merits of escape rooms for team building, here are some tips to make the most of the experience.
Tips for escape room team building:
- Choose diverse teams – ensure a mix of personalities and job roles to mimic a real-world work scenario.
- Debrief after the game – discussing the experience can provide valuable insights into team dynamics and areas for improvement.
- Rotate team members – if doing multiple sessions, change team compositions to allow everyone to interact with different colleagues.
- Opt for varied challenges – different escape rooms offer varied puzzles, ensuring that everyone’s strengths are highlighted over time.
Escape rooms, when used thoughtfully, can be more than just a fun outing. They can be powerful tools for strengthening team bonds and enhancing workplace productivity.
In conclusion, as workplaces continue to evolve, innovative team-building exercises like escape rooms will play a pivotal role in ensuring that human connections remain at the core of all professional endeavors.
Check out our other articles on employee engagement and team building:
Stay tuned for more articles to come!
