A special welcome to our guest blogger, Janet Oliva, PlayWorks Group Student Intern!
How does team building support employee engagement?
First, what is it? Employee engagement is a measurement of a healthy and positive commitment to a company. The employee feels loyalty and a vested interest in the company’s success. So, a company needs to prove to their employees that their engagement is meaningful to them. Team building activities are just one effective, and fun way to increase employee engagement.
From my perspective as a college student, student engagement and employee engagement are very similar. Did you know, student engagement now affects college ranking? In an article on student engagement in colleges, the Wall Street Journal explains that engagement accounts for 20% of the overall weighting in college ranking. As an example, one aspect of student engagement is whether or not a student would recommend their college. So, would your employees recommend your company as a great place to work?
Of course, students get engaged by getting involved on campus or in the community. Organizations such as clubs, Greek life or intramural sports provide students the chance to connect with their college outside of the academic classroom. For instance, I took the opportunity to explore my career interests by joining a student chapter of Professional Conference Management Association. [For more on the tremendous value of being involved in associations, read our post.]
Employers can offer comparable opportunities within their company. Consequently, employees might feel there is more to their day and to look forward to than just their task lists. What if you created ways for your employees to explore work in other departments? Job swapping for a day might be the best team building ever. Plus, it could really drive employee engagement.
I think the foremost quality – there’s no success without it – is really loving what you do. If you love it, you do it well, and there’s no success if you don’t do well what you’re working at. ~ Malcolm Forbes
Because I would not normally see in the classroom, I look forward to seeing friends at my Sorority house. If it weren’t for being involved in this classroom-of-life activity, I would never have met these women. Now they represent a lifelong connection to my college. As a result of offering a variety of options, my university developed a future loyal alumnae!
Companies can utilize team building activities to create a morale similar to what might look like school spirit. For instance, playing together in simulated scenarios creates connections and builds relationships. Or, employers could offer continuous learning with team building activities such as charitable work or outdoor adventures. Your employees on the same team or even different departments come together and discover shared interests. Most significant, you’ll see improved employee engagement.
I sincerely hope I am able to experience the same level of engagement in my future company as I have during my four years of college.
Share with us below: how do you engage your employees ~ with ~ or without ~ team building!
To discuss how you can engage your employees and build your team, call 855-TEAM BLD or contact your representative today.