Are you in search of some team building activities for the HR department?
If you’re a business leader, you know how important it is to have a great team in your Human Resources department. Teamwork is the glue that binds together individuals with diverse skill sets, fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration.
In this article, let’s see 10 Human Resources (HR) team building activities you can try.
These activities can help you increase the job satisfaction and morale of your employees while allowing them to bond with each other.
10 Team Building Activities for the HR Department
Let’s delve into some team building exercises specifically designed for your Human Resources Department.
#1. The Name Game
This activity encourages HR professionals to learn about each other more deeply, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-6 people per group
Instructions
- Each group member says their name and one thing that they like to do in their free time.
- One person begins by sharing the information, then the next person follows, and so on.
- Finally, the last person must repeat all of the names and activities shared before them.
Debrief
Discuss how it feels to be listened to and remembered. Talk about ways that listening and remembering can help build relationships in the workplace.
#2. The Airplane
The Airplane is one of the HR team building games that is fun. It encourages employees to work together and trust each other while learning how to communicate effectively.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Minimum 4 people in a group
Instructions
- Each person in the group stands in a line, facing forward. The first person is the “pilot” and the last person is the “tail”.
- The pilot must give verbal instructions to the tail on how to turn their body.
- The tail must follow these instructions precisely for the “airplane” (the line of people) to make a full 360° turn.
Debrief
Discuss how trust and communication are essential for successful teamwork. Also, reflect on any obstacles that are encountered during the activity and how the groups overcame them.
#3. Role Reversal
This exercise helps employees gain a better understanding of each other’s roles and challenges. It encourages everyone to put themselves in the shoes of their colleagues and build empathy.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: An even number of members per group
Instructions
- Each person will take a turn to switch roles with one of their team members for a set period of time.
- The role switch should involve the two people exchanging roles and responsibilities.
- During this time, each person will be expected to act as if they were in the other’s position and make decisions based on that role.
Debrief
Discuss how it felt to temporarily take on a different role from your own. Talk about how the activity helped to build empathy among team members.
#4. Coffee Talks
This a simple yet effective exercise to promote open communication and collaboration among HR employees. It encourages the sharing of ideas, insights, and perspectives in a relaxed atmosphere.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: 3-6 people in a group
Instructions
- Each group member will take turns to share their thoughts and experiences about a current organizational challenge.
- Everyone should take some time to listen and ask questions.
- After the conversation has concluded, each person will summarize their key takeaways from the discussion.
Debrief
Discuss what everyone learned from the conversation and how this can be applied to ongoing or future projects. Highlight how this activity has helped to strengthen trust, spark new ideas, and identify areas for improvement.
#5. Random Acts of Kindness
This is one of the HR team building exercises to promote a culture of caring and kindness in the workplace. It encourages employees to think about how they can make their workplace environment more welcoming for everyone, not just those belonging to the same team.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: 3-8 individuals in a group
Instructions
- Ask each group member to come up with a few ideas for how they can perform an act of kindness or service in the workplace. For example, bringing coffee to another department, lending a helping hand in a colleague’s work project, etc.
- After everyone has shared their ideas, the group should decide on one act of kindness to perform.
Debrief
Explore how performing small acts of kindness for others can help build trust and respect among team members, as well as foster a sense of belonging within the organization. Discuss how the activity was beneficial and how it can positively impact your team’s relationship with others.
#6. People Scavenger Hunt
This activity encourages collaboration among participants as they search for specific people.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Some clues
Participants: Groups of 3-8 individuals
Instructions
- Divide the group into smaller groups and provide each group with a few clues. The clues should lead them to various members of the Human Resources department.
- Groups must work together to find all the individuals on their list within a certain time frame.
- The first group that finishes the task will win.
Debrief
Discuss how the activity helped group members work together and solve problems. Ask the participants what skills they demonstrated during the activity and how they can use those same skills in their work environment.
#7. Photo Sharing
This game helps HR team members learn about each other and build trust by sharing photos from their personal lives.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Smartphones or tablets
Participants: Groups of 3-6 people
Instructions
- Ask each member to select a few photos from their personal life and share them with the group.
- Each person should take turns presenting their photos and explaining why the photo is special to them or what emotions it evokes in them.
Debrief
Discuss how the activity was beneficial and how it can positively impact your team’s relationship with each other. Ask the employees what they learned about one another and how this understanding can be used to strengthen collaboration within the team.
#8. Values and Culture Exercise
This activity helps HR professionals to come together and create a shared understanding of the values and culture they wish to see in their department.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Paper, and pens
Participants: 3-6 individuals in a group
Instructions
- Ask the groups to identify 2-3 core values they believe should define their department.
- Have each group member write down a few words that relate to those values and explain why they chose those words. For example, if the value is “teamwork”, a person may write down words like “collaboration” and “communication”.
- Once all the group members have finished writing their words, ask them to share what they wrote with each other. Each person should explain why they chose those particular words and how they relate to the core values.
Debrief
Ask each employee to explain how these values will support their personal contributions and the goals of the department. Reflect on how having a shared set of values can help ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.
#9. Crossword Puzzle
This activity helps employees strengthen problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Prepared crossword puzzles, paper, and pen
Participants: 3-8 members per group
Instructions
- Prepare some crossword puzzles related to HR.
- Divide the employees into teams and assign each group a crossword puzzle to work on.
- Set a timer for a few minutes and ask each team to complete the puzzle together.
Debrief
Discuss how problem solving skills can be applied to the human resources department and how it supports the team’s work. Focus on how collaboration can help support better results, even under pressure.
#10. Mock Interview Competition
This exercise enables HR professionals to practice their interviewing skills in a friendly competition.
Time: You decide
Materials: Pen, paper, and timer
Participants: An even number of people in a group
Instructions
- Divide the employees into teams with half of them acting as interviewers and the other half acting as candidates.
- Have each interviewer come up with a few questions they wish to ask the candidates. Also, give each candidate a few minutes to prepare for their interview.
- Set a timer and have each interviewer take turns interviewing the candidates.
- After every round, the interviewers should give feedback to the candidates on how they did and where they can improve.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of crafting meaningful questions, how to give constructive feedback, and how this exercise relates to the team’s work in the HR department. Focus on how communication can help create more effective interviews.
Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
If you want some unique activities (both in person and virtual) for your employees, you can get my new e-book:
Or Want Some Unique Leadership Development Activities?
If you want some unique activities to equip your employees with leadership skills, qualities, and mindset, you can get my new e-book:
Final Words
To sum up, team building exercises are crucial tools in the HR leader’s arsenal. They not only strengthen the bonds among group members but also contribute to building a positive and productive work environment. As such, you are encouraged to integrate these activities into your human resource strategies. Remember, a team that plays together, stays together.