I’m not ready to retire. I like working and really enjoy my job. But if there is one thing about working that I’m ready to let go of, it’s the dreaded team-building exercises.

If you’ve ever worked in an office setting, you’re familiar with these special days of torture. It is especially popular in companies or departments whose main focus is to sell products. Meant to spur motivation, develop teamwork and foster better communication, they can be effective - depending on the activity chosen.

For some people, team building in the workplace is an opportunity to get out from behind the desk and have fun with colleagues. For others, it’s akin to “forced family fun.” 

Ask any introvert out there. The boss may say “team building,” but the introvert hears “time wasting” and spends the day dreading what the activity will be or wondering if it might be better to schedule that root canal after all.

Even some of the most enthusiastic employees cringe when they hear the words. Sure, the boss says it’s for “team cohesion” and to “boost morale” but a day of forced camaraderie and awkward icebreakers is usually just an exercise in collective eye-rolling.

Most people spend their time participating in these activities with a nagging worry as to how they’ll ever get their project done on time if the next eight hours is spent at a bowling alley, running an obstacle course, or worse yet, singing at a karaoke bar. 

I’ve participated in more team building and icebreaker activities than I care to mention. There have been human bingo games where each person is given a bingo card with directives to find the person that matches something in a square like “speaks more than one language,” “has a pet,” or “is an only child.” 

I’ve played company jeopardy where there are multiple teams of employees who answer questions about the company or the products they are supposed to sell. “What are the three key benefits of the new middle school math book?” 

There’s the infamous “get-to-know-you” type games where you’re asked personal questions from “what’s your biggest fear?” to “what’s your spirit animal?” - the answers sure to produce uncomfortable revelations and forever skew the way you see a person. 

I mean who really ever answers them honestly and do they really boost morale? Does running around to find a person who speaks more than one language really foster deeper connection and lead to higher sales? Is team building in the workplace really necessary?

After all, it’s called a workplace for a reason - it’s a place for work. 

What really boosts morale is a flexible work schedule, summer Fridays, and a boss who trusts you to get the work done on time.

Want to get to know your fellow colleagues better? Stand around the water cooler more often. You’ll learn more about a person, share insights, and discuss interests and hobbies in an organic way. The conversations are natural, the interactions spontaneous, and the bonds are genuine. Plus, chatting with someone about something non-work related is a way to de-stress.

I’ll be the first one to admit that when I finally decide to retire, I won’t miss the team building games. But I sure will miss the water cooler conversations.

How about you? What do you think about team building activities - love ’em or leave ’em? Let us know in the comments.