Are you in search of leadership teamwork activities?
Teamwork is an essential aspect of a productive and harmonious workplace. Building strong teams and fostering effective collaboration can greatly enhance productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall success.
In this article, let’s see 12 leadership teamwork activities you can try with your employees. These exercises can help you cultivate a culture of teamwork and strengthen leadership skills in your workplace.
12 Leadership Teamwork Activities for the Workplace
Here are some teamwork activities that you can incorporate into your workplace to promote leadership development.
#1. Leadership Swap
In this activity, participants take turns assuming leadership roles for specific tasks or projects. It promotes empathy, adaptability, and decision-making skills among team members.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Ask each team member to take on a leadership role for a specific task or project.
- Set a timeframe for each leadership role, ensuring that everyone gets an equal opportunity.
- Encourage the team members to embrace the challenges and responsibilities that come with leadership.
- Provide support and guidance to team members as they navigate their leadership roles.
Example:
John took on the leadership role for the marketing campaign and learned the importance of delegation and effective communication.
Jane led the team in a client presentation and gained confidence in her decision-making abilities.
Mark realized the need for flexibility and adaptability as he took on a leadership role during a project delay.
Debrief
Discuss the experiences and insights gained from taking on leadership roles. Reflect on the challenges faced, the decisions made, and the impact on team dynamics.
#2. Escape Room
In this activity, teams must work together to solve puzzles and escape the room within a specific timeframe. It promotes collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills among group members.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A designated escape room or online escape game platform
Participants: Groups of 3-8 members
Instructions
- Divide the participants into smaller groups and assign them to different rooms or online escape games.
- Set a timeframe for each group to escape.
- Encourage the teams to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, and use their strengths to solve puzzles and escape the room.
Debrief
Discuss how teamwork played a significant role in successfully completing the challenge. Reflect on any challenges faced and how they were overcome through collaboration.
#3. Blindfolded Obstacle Course
In this activity, participants must guide a blindfolded teammate through an obstacle course using only verbal instructions. It promotes trust, effective communication, and teamwork skills among colleagues.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Blindfolds, and cones or obstacles to create a course
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Divide the participants into pairs where one member is blindfolded and the other is the guide.
- Set up a simple obstacle course with cones or objects.
- The guide must verbally instruct their blindfolded partner to navigate through the course without touching any obstacles.
- Encourage the team members to communicate clearly and work together to complete the course.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of trust, communication, and collaboration in successfully completing the task. Reflect on any challenges faced and how they were overcome through teamwork.
#4. Tower Building
In this activity, teams must work together to build a tower using limited materials. It promotes problem-solving, creativity, delegation, and leadership skills among colleagues.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Straws, tape or glue, and paper cups
Participants: Groups of 3-6 members
Instructions
- Provide each group with a set of materials.
- Instruct them to build the tallest and most stable tower they can within a specific timeframe.
- Encourage the group members to communicate, delegate tasks, and use their creativity to construct the tallest, free-standing tower.
Debrief
Discuss the challenges faced in building the tower and how they were overcome through teamwork. Reflect on the role of leadership in delegating tasks and promoting creativity.
#5. Open GD
In this activity, team members engage in open and honest discussions on a specific topic or workplace issue. It promotes effective communication, active listening, and problem-solving skills among coworkers.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: A list of discussion topics or workplace issues
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Choose a relevant topic or workplace issue to discuss.
- Encourage each team member to share their thoughts and perspectives.
- Facilitate constructive discussions by actively listening and promoting respect for different opinions.
Debrief
Reflect on the insights gained from the group discussion. Discuss how effective communication and active listening can help resolve conflicts and promote teamwork in the workplace.
#6. Volunteer Work
In this activity, teams engage in volunteer work together to help a cause or community. It promotes empathy, collaboration, and leadership skills among group members.
Time: Varies depending on the volunteer opportunity
Materials: Depends on the specific volunteer work
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Choose a relevant volunteer opportunity that aligns with your company values.
- Encourage the team members to collaborate and work together towards a common goal.
- Reflect on the impact of their actions and how they can apply these skills in the workplace.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of giving back to the community and how it can foster teamwork and leadership development. Reflect on any challenges faced and how they were overcome through collaboration.
#7. Two Truths and a Lie
This activity involves participants sharing three statements about themselves—two that are true and one that is a lie. It encourages interpersonal communication, trust-building, and understanding among team members.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-6 people per group
Instructions
- Have each team member prepare three statements about themselves, ensuring that two are true and one is a lie.
- One by one, each member shares their statements with the group.
- The rest of the group guesses which statement is the lie.
- After the guesses, the individual reveals the lie and provides context for the true statements.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity helped team members learn about each other in a fun and lighthearted way. Reflect on the importance of understanding personal and professional connections to foster a stronger team dynamic.
#8. Role Reversal
This activity allows team members to step into each other’s roles for a brief period. It builds empathy, understanding, and respect for the responsibilities of different colleagues.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Pair the team members and assign them to take on each other’s roles or responsibilities for a set timeframe.
- Encourage each member to engage in the tasks and activities the other typically handles.
- Provide a safe space for the participants to ask questions and seek guidance as needed.
Debrief
Reflect on the insights gained from experiencing a teammate’s perspective. Discuss how this activity can build empathy, improve collaboration, and encourage mutual respect among team members.
#9. Creative Brainstorming Session
This activity encourages teams to work together to generate creative solutions or ideas. It promotes collaboration, innovation, and effective communication.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Whiteboard, sticky notes, or online collaboration tools
Participants: 3-8 individuals in a group
Instructions
- Present a challenge, project, or topic for which the team needs creative ideas.
- Use brainstorming techniques such as mind mapping, round-robin, or free association to generate ideas.
- Write down every idea, no matter how unconventional, and build on each other’s suggestions.
- Narrow down the ideas collectively and identify actionable steps.
Debrief
Discuss the value of collaboration in fostering creativity. Reflect on the importance of respecting diverse perspectives and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard during brainstorming sessions.
#10. Feedback Exchange
This activity involves group members providing constructive feedback to each other in a structured and respectful manner. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement, trust, and open communication.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None, or feedback forms if desired
Participants: Pairs or small groups of 3-8 individuals
Instructions
- Pair the participants or organize small groups, depending on the number of individuals.
- Encourage each participant to provide constructive feedback to their partner or group, focusing on strengths and areas for growth.
- Remind them to keep their feedback respectful, specific, and actionable.
- Allow time for a brief discussion so that the feedback can be clarified or further explored.
Debrief
Discuss how giving and receiving feedback contributes to personal and team growth. Reflect on the importance of fostering a safe and trusting environment where honest feedback is encouraged and appreciated.
#11. Team Trivia
This activity uses trivia to promote friendly competition while encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing among group members.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Trivia questions (general knowledge or team/company-specific)
Participants: Groups of 4-8 members
Instructions
- Divide the participants into teams and provide a set of trivia questions.
- Teams can collaborate to answer the questions, with points awarded for correct responses.
- To add variety, include categories such as general knowledge, company history, or fun facts about team members.
- Announce the winning team and celebrate their achievement.
Debrief
Reflect on how the activity helped improve team collaboration and communication. Discuss the importance of having fun together as a way to build stronger relationships within the team.
#12. Storytelling Circle
This activity encourages participants to share personal or professional stories, fostering deeper connections and mutual understanding within the team.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Gather the team members in a circle and invite each person to share a story related to a specific theme (e.g., overcoming challenges, proudest achievements, or memorable experiences).
- Ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to share, and encourage active listening.
- Create a supportive atmosphere where the participants feel comfortable speaking openly and authentically.
Debrief
Discuss how this exercise helps team members connect on a personal level and build trust. Reflect on the value of shared experiences in fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
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Or Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
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Final Words
Effective teamwork is crucial for success in any workplace. By incorporating these activities into your workplace, you can promote collaboration, communication, and leadership skills among your coworkers. Remember, fostering strong teams is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and commitment from both leaders and employees. So go ahead and try some of these activities with your team today! Together, let’s build stronger, more successful teams!
FAQ: Leadership Teamwork Activities
You might have these questions in mind.
Can these activities be adapted for virtual teams?
Absolutely! Many of these activities can be easily adapted for virtual teams by using online collaboration tools or video conferencing platforms. Feel free to get creative and find ways to make the activities work for your remote team.
How often should I conduct these activities with my team?
It’s a good idea to incorporate team building and leadership development activities into your regular schedule, such as once a month or every quarter. However, you can also choose to do them more frequently if needed. The key is finding a balance that works for your team and keeps everyone engaged and motivated.
Are these activities suitable for all industries?
Yes, these activities are versatile enough to be applied across various industries. Whether you’re in healthcare, technology, education, or any other field, fostering teamwork and leadership skills is universally beneficial. You can tailor the activities to align with your industry’s unique challenges and context to maximize their impact.