10 Ownership Team Building Activities (With Debrief)
Are you in search of some ownership team building activities for the workplace?
Building a sense of ownership among team members is crucial for fostering a collaborative and productive work environment. When individuals take ownership of their work, they are more engaged, motivated, and invested in the group’s success.
In this article, let’s see 10 team building exercises that can help instill a sense of ownership among your employees. These activities not only promote teamwork but also empower employees to contribute to the overall organizational success.
10 Ownership Team Building Activities
Here are some team building activities to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among your employees.
#1. Recognition Wall
This activity involves creating a recognition wall in the office where employees can showcase their achievements and successes. It not only promotes healthy competition but also encourages individuals to take ownership of their work and strive for excellence.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Sticky notes, markers, and a designated wall space
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Ask each team member to write a short note of recognition or appreciation for a colleague on a sticky note.
- Have them stick the notes on the recognition wall.
- Encourage everyone to read the notes and reflect on the positive impact they have on their colleagues.
- Optional: Hold a team meeting to discuss the recognition and share personal stories related to the notes.
Debrief
Explore the positive effects of recognition and appreciation on team morale and collaboration. Discuss how acknowledging each other’s contributions can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within the team.
#2. Task Ownership Challenge
This activity encourages employees to take ownership for specific tasks or projects, fostering a greater sense of responsibility. It also promotes effective communication and collaboration among team members.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: List of tasks, and a whiteboard or shared digital platform
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Create a list of tasks or small projects that need to be completed.
- Allow the team members to volunteer and choose a task they feel confident they can own from start to finish.
- Set a clear timeline and expectations for completing the tasks.
- Have each participant present their progress to the group during regular intervals, discussing challenges and how they tackled them.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of taking ownership at work and how stepping up to handle specific responsibilities benefits both the individual as well as the team. Reflect on the challenges faced during the activity and how they can translate to overcoming obstacles in daily work life.
#3. Idea Pitch Session
This activity allows employees to take initiative and present innovative ideas, promoting a sense of ownership. It fosters collaboration, confidence, and constructive feedback within the team.
Time: You decide
Materials: Presentation tools (e.g. whiteboard, slides), notepads, and pens
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Ask the team members to work in pairs to brainstorm ideas for improving a process, project, or workplace practice.
- Provide sufficient time for preparation and research.
- Host a session where participants pitch their ideas to the team. Encourage the team to discuss and provide feedback, emphasizing constructive suggestions for improvement.
- Choose an idea or two to implement as a team effort, acknowledging the originators of the concept.
Debrief
Highlight how bringing fresh ideas to the table demonstrates initiative and ownership. Discuss the importance of being open to feedback and how collaboration can refine raw ideas into actionable solutions. Reflect on the value of empowering employees to shape the workplace.
#4. Responsibility Rotation
This activity is designed to broaden the understanding of various team roles and promote mutual respect. It also encourages individuals to take responsibility for the tasks outside of their usual scope.
Time: 1-2 weeks per rotation
Materials: Defined task responsibilities, and a rotation schedule
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Identify a list of essential tasks or roles within the team.
- Create a rotation schedule where team members take turns fulfilling different roles or responsibilities.
- Provide resources and guidance to ensure they can succeed in their temporary roles.
- Check in regularly to offer support and gather feedback on challenges faced.
Debrief
Discuss how stepping into different roles builds empathy, flexibility, and a stronger appreciation for teammates’ contributions. Reflect on the valuable insights gained and how new perspectives can strengthen team dynamics and individual growth.
#5. Problem-Solving Workshop
This activity focuses on teamwork and collaboration by challenging the group to solve a complex problem or tackle a hypothetical scenario. It emphasizes collective ownership of outcomes and highlights the value of diverse perspectives.
Time: You decide
Materials: A well-defined problem or scenario, whiteboard, and markers
Participants: 3-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Present the participants with a challenging problem or scenario relevant to their work or industry.
- Divide the participants into smaller groups and provide clear guidelines and objectives.
- Allow group members to brainstorm, discuss, and develop possible solutions collectively. Then, have each group present their solutions and reasoning behind their approach.
- Facilitate a group discussion to evaluate the solutions and identify key takeaways.
Debrief
Discuss how collaborative problem-solving leads to innovative and effective solutions. Highlight the importance of shared ownership in overcoming challenges and building trust within the team.
#6. Team Goal Mapping
This activity involves team members in setting collective goals and defining the pathways to achieving them. It is one of the ownership team building activities that can build alignment, accountability, and shared commitment.
Time: You decide
Materials: Large paper, sticky notes, markers, or a digital platform for goal mapping
Participants: 3-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Begin with a team discussion about overarching objectives and desired outcomes.
- Work collaboratively to break these objectives into smaller, actionable goals.
- Use a visual tool like a mind map or a flowchart to outline steps and allocate responsibilities for achieving each goal.
- Encourage the team members to volunteer for tasks they feel confident and motivated to take ownership of. Set deadlines and plan regular check-ins to monitor progress.
Debrief
Review the completed goal mapping and discuss how individual contributions align with the team’s collective vision. Reflect on the importance of setting clear goals and how involving the group fosters a sense of shared ownership and responsibility.
#7. Peer Recognition Circle
This activity encourages employees to acknowledge each other’s contributions, fostering a culture of appreciation and ownership. It can boost morale, strengthen relationships, and promote an environment where everyone feels valued for their work.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Notecards, pens, or a digital platform for sharing recognitions
Participants: 4-10 members in a team
Instructions
- Arrange the team in a circle, either in person or virtually.
- Ask each participant to write down a compliment or acknowledgment for another team member, focusing on specific contributions or actions that made a positive impact.
- Depending on time and the team’s comfort level, have the participants share their notes aloud or hand them to the intended person privately.
- Facilitate an open discussion afterward about how recognition impacts team dynamics and individual motivation.
Debrief
Reflect on how peer recognition builds a supportive culture and encourages individuals to take pride in their roles. Discuss the impact of feeling valued and how it inspires continued ownership as well as dedication.
#8. Ownership Mindset Storytelling
This activity focuses on storytelling as a way to inspire an ownership mentality within the team. It encourages reflection, connection, and a deeper understanding of the impact of taking ownership.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None (Though a storytelling prompt list can be helpful)
Participants: 3-6 people in a team
Instructions
- Begin with a discussion on what an ownership mindset means to the team. Provide prompts such as “Share a time when taking initiative led to success” or “Talk about a moment where personal responsibility made a difference in overcoming a challenge.”
- Allow the participants time to think about their stories and organize their thoughts before sharing.
- Create a supportive and open space where team members feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
- After each story, encourage a brief discussion or Q&A to highlight key takeaways and lessons learned. Optionally, compile the stories into a shared document as a resource for motivation and future reference.
Debrief
Discuss how storytelling fosters a sense of unity and shared values within the team. Reflect on how hearing different perspectives can inspire personal growth and demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting an ownership mindset.
#9. Creative Role Modeling
This activity allows employees to engage their creativity while exemplifying behaviors that demonstrate ownership. It also helps them practice the strategies for taking initiative, solving problems collaboratively, and fostering accountability.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Scenario prompts, and optional props for role-playing
Participants: 3-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Present common workplace challenges where ownership is key, such as missed deadlines, project bottlenecks, or handling a dissatisfied client.
- Divide the participants into small teams and assign each one a scenario to role-play.
- Encourage the teams to create a brief skit demonstrating how they would take ownership and address the situation effectively.
- Have each team perform their skit and explain their approach. Then, facilitate a discussion to review the solutions and explore alternative strategies for success.
Debrief
Reflect on how creative role-playing promotes problem-solving, accountability, and proactive behavior. Discuss how modeling desired behaviors can be a powerful tool for inspiring positive change within the team.
#10. Accountability Agreements
This activity focuses on creating agreements that outline individual and collective responsibilities. It encourages the employees to commit to their roles and demonstrates the value of mutual accountability in driving success.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Agreement templates, and a whiteboard or digital collaboration tools
Participants: Groups of any size
Instructions
- Begin with a team discussion on the importance of accountability and how it contributes to achieving the goals.
- Work together to identify key responsibilities for each team member and how they align with the broader objectives.
- Create a set of accountability agreements that clearly define expectations, deadlines, and support mechanisms. Then, sign the agreements as a group to symbolize commitment and shared responsibility.
- Plan regular check-ins to discuss progress, challenges, and potential adjustments.
Debrief
Review the completed agreements and discuss how they serve as a framework for trust as well as collaboration. Reflect on how honoring commitments builds a strong foundation for team success and fosters a culture of ownership.
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Final Words
Incorporating these activities into your workplace can help instill a sense of ownership among group members. By fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and personal initiative, you can create an empowered team that drives success. Remember to continually reassess and adapt these activities to fit your group’s unique needs and goals. With dedication and effort, an ownership mindset can become ingrained in your team’s work ethic, leading to continued growth.
FAQ: Ownership Team Building Activities
You might have these questions in mind.
How often should I incorporate these activities into the workplace?
The frequency of these activities will depend on your group’s needs and dynamics. For new teams, scheduling regular activities—weekly or biweekly—can help build trust and establish rapport. For established teams, quarterly or monthly activities might be sufficient to maintain and strengthen group cohesion. It’s important to prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring the activities are meaningful and aligned with your team’s goals.
Can these exercises work in remote or hybrid team settings?
Absolutely! Most exercises can be adapted for remote or hybrid teams with the help of technology. For example, video conferencing platforms, collaborative tools like Google Docs, or virtual whiteboards can be used for brainstorming sessions, storytelling, or role-playing activities. It’s crucial to ensure that virtual activities remain interactive and engaging to achieve the desired outcomes.
How do I measure the success of these exercises?
Measuring the success of these exercises involves assessing their impact on team dynamics and overall performance. Consider using feedback surveys to gather input from the participants about their experiences and takeaways. Evaluate changes in communication, collaboration, and morale following the activities.
Can leaders participate in these activities?
Absolutely—leaders should actively participate in these activities. By joining in, leaders can lead by example and demonstrate their commitment to building a strong, cohesive team. It also creates an opportunity for group members to interact with their leaders in a more relaxed as well as informal setting, fostering trust and open communication.
