10 Networking Team Building Activities for the Workplace
Are you in search of some networking team building activities?
In a workplace, employees often get busy with their own tasks, which can make it challenging to develop their networking skills. As a leader, you should provide an opportunity for your employees to connect, build good relationships, and collaborate.
In this article, let’s see 10 exercises that can help your teams build their networking skills. These activities can help your employees connect with the right people.
10 Networking Team Building Activities for the Workplace
Here are some effective team building exercises that can help improve your employees’ networking skills:
#1. Speed Networking
Speed Networking encourages quick, focused conversations to discover mutual interests and potential collaborations.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 4-6 members per group
Instructions
- Arrange seating in parallel rows facing each other to facilitate quick switches.
- Each team member will have 2-3 minutes to introduce themselves, share their interests, and exchange contact information with the person opposite to them.
- After that, one row will move to their right and continue the networking session with a new person.
- This continues until each team member has met everyone in the other row.
Debrief
During the debrief, focus on identifying any surprising connections or common areas of interest that were uncovered. Reflect on the networking process and discuss how to foster these new relationships moving forward.
#2. Lunch Buddies
Lunch Buddies promotes interpersonal connections by encouraging employees to share meals in a structured yet informal setting.
Time: You decide
Materials: Lunch venues or spaces
Participants: Small groups of 3-6 individuals
Instructions
- Split the employees into weekly groups, aiming for diverse mixes to expand networks.
- Encourage these groups to eat together at a designated lunch space or visit nearby eateries.
- Suggest conversation starters or thematic lunches to spark interesting discussions.
- Document these lunches with photos or quick posts on the internal company platform to showcase camaraderie.
Debrief
Reflect on the mix of people in each group and the nature of the conversations they had. Assess how these interactions are contributing to a stronger, more cohesive workplace culture.
#3. Two Truths and a Lie
This is an energizing game that unravels intriguing personal facts about colleagues through guesswork and surprise.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Any group size
Instructions
- Each group member prepares three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie.
- Group members take turns sharing their statements, while others guess the lie.
- Encourage playful banter and questions to uncover the truths and the lies.
- Incorporate fun rewards for correct guesses to enhance engagement.
Debrief
Discuss the most surprising truths discovered and reflect on the creative lies crafted. This activity not only lightens the mood but also fosters deeper connections within the team by unveiling personal insights.
#4. Networking Trivia
This is a dynamic and entertaining game designed to deepen knowledge about the company culture, colleagues, and industry in a friendly competition format.
Time: You decide
Materials: Trivia questions, papers, and pens
Participants: Any number of individuals in a group
Instructions
- Create a list of trivia questions related to the company, its employees, and the industry. Examples include “Who founded the company?” or “What was our highest selling product last quarter?”
- Distribute the questions to each team. Let them discuss and write down their answers within a specific time frame.
- After the time is up, collect the answer sheets and go through each question to reveal the correct answers.
- Award points for correct answers and congratulate the winning team.
Debrief
Reflect on the competitive spirit and camaraderie developed during the trivia game. Ask the participants to share what they learned about their colleagues and the company that was new or surprising.
#5. ‘My Favorite Things’ Exchange
This is a heartfelt activity designed for employees to learn about each other’s personal interests and preferences in a thoughtful exchange.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Notecards and pens
Participants: Ideal for small to medium-sized groups
Instructions
- Ask each group member to write about something that they consider a favorite (e.g., favorite book, snack, or hobby).
- Group members take turns presenting their notes, explaining why it’s their favorite.
- Encourage others to ask questions or share if they have similar interests.
Debrief
Reflect on the diverse interests within the group and how these personal preferences can strengthen bonds. Explore the commonalities and appreciate the unique backgrounds that each member brings to the group.
#6. The Feedback Circle
This is an uplifting activity that fosters an environment where colleagues offer constructive feedback and express gratitude. It is one of the amazing networking team building activities for the workplace.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Suitable for any group size
Instructions
- Have the team members sit in a circle to encourage a sense of unity and focus.
- Instruct them to share one piece of constructive feedback followed by a statement of gratitude towards each colleague. For example, “I appreciate how you handled the client’s issue last week with patience and professionalism.”
- Rotate until all the team members have received and given feedback.
Debrief
Discuss the feedback received, focusing on how it can be utilized to enhance teamwork and individual growth. Explain how this activity fosters a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support within the workplace.
#7. Volunteer Together
The Volunteer Together activity strengthens bonds through community service, emphasizing teamwork and philanthropy.
Time: You decide
Materials: Varies by selected volunteer project
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Select a volunteer activity that resonates with your team’s values. Example: Organizing a local park cleanup.
- Coordinate with the chosen organization to schedule a date and time for your team to volunteer together.
- During the event, encourage teamwork and observe interactions.
- Afterward, gather feedback on the experience, discussing what was learned and felt.
Debrief
The debrief should uncover insights on team dynamics in a non-work setting and reinforce the personal satisfaction from contributing to a cause. Reflect on the enhanced networking skills and the impact of giving back to the community.
#8. Coffee Chats
Coffee Chats facilitate informal interactions among colleagues, encouraging personal connections beyond work tasks.
Time: 15-30 minutes per chat
Materials: Coffee or preferred beverages
Participants: 2 persons per chat
Instructions
- Schedule a weekly time slot where employees can sign up to have coffee with someone they don’t usually work closely with.
- Choose a comfortable, relaxed setting for the chats, whether in the office or at a nearby coffee shop.
- Encourage discussions on interests outside of work to deepen personal connections.
- Rotate partners regularly to ensure everyone has the chance to meet different colleagues.
Debrief
Reflect on how these chats are enhancing interpersonal relationships within the workplace. Analyze if increased familiarity is translating into improved communication and collaboration within teams.
#9. Social Media Photo Challenge
The Social Media Photo Challenge is an exciting way to build team spirit by sharing snapshots of personal interests or daily routines.
Time: Ongoing
Materials: Smartphone or camera, and social media account
Participants: Whole department or company
Instructions
- Announce a fun, easy-to-participate theme each month (e.g., “Pet Palooza” or “Desk Decor”).
- Encourage the employees to get creative and take a photo that captures the theme.
- Everyone can post the photo on their personal social media accounts, tagging the company’s page and their team members.
- Share a compilation of these photos in a team meeting to spark conversations.
Debrief
Assess how these shared experiences have strengthened personal connections within the group. Determine if this activity has brought more openness and a sense of belonging among team members.
#10. Human Hunt
The Human Hunt is a dynamic exercise designed to foster connections through a people-finding scavenger hunt that is perfect for networking.
Time: You decide
Materials: A list of people, and cell phones (optional)
Participants: 2-6 people in a group
Instructions
- Distribute a list of tasks to the groups, guiding them to find specific individuals based on clues. Examples include finding “someone who has worked at the company for over 10 years” or “a person who speaks three languages.”
- Encourage each group to either take a photo with the person or collect their business card as proof of contact.
- The group that establishes contact with more people within the allotted time wins.
Debrief
Reflect on how this activity facilitated new connections and strengthened existing ones. Consider ways to sustain these newly forged relationships within the professional environment.
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Final Words
As a leader, it’s important to help your employees build connections and expand their networks. The above activities are designed to foster stronger connections, improve communication, and encourage collaboration among your employees. By incorporating these networking team building exercises, you can create a more harmonious, productive, and enjoyable workplace environment.
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