With so much time spent ensuring that employees are satisfied and productive, managers may be surprised to hear that introducing an element of healthy competition amongst employees can be a can be a great tool for the company. Workplace competition can boost growth on an individual and group level, leading to increased creativity, problem solving skills, motivation, employee happiness, and more. There are plenty of fun and low-stakes ways to begin fostering a sense of competition, from in-office contests to organized trips to visit an escape room, paintball course, or other Northern Virginia team building activity.

Benefits Of Engaging In A Northern Virginia Team Building Activity

Take a look at some of the benefits you can see, thanks to the power of a little friendly competition amongst your employees with a Northern Virginia Team Building Activity.

Shared Success

The key to effective workplace competition is to make it as cooperative as possible. At first glance, this idea is counterintuitive. However, grouping employees into teams has been proven to be more beneficial than asking them to compete individually against each other. Teamwork builds relationships, communication skills, and problem solving abilities, while individual work can often create a sense of isolation and distrust. Teammates typically encourage each other to use their natural skills to help each other, fostering a sense of responsibility for the greater good and appreciation for the talents that allowed the team to move forward. After the competition is over, coworkers will likely feel better knowing that there’s someone around on whom they can rely for support in the future.

Increased Productivity

When employees know that there’s something to be won at the end of the day, there’s a good chance that this motivation will boost productivity and encourage them to get better results from their work. Employees working in teams to compete against other groups often motivate each other, collaborate better, and create strong partnerships to succeed in reaching their goals. This can translate to more efficient work and a better return for the company.

Consider introducing a team-based contest during busy periods or when a large project must be completed to help employees focus on their tasks, with a reward to help them let off some steam and celebrate a job well done at the end.

Engaging Work Atmosphere

Competition can bring out the best in people. It allows them to focus on a defined goal, win and lose with grace, and work hard to achieve more. Workplace competition can help make a normal day a little more exciting, breaking up stressful periods and giving employees something that they can begin looking forward to. It can also help employees feel like they have a purpose and are contributing to the company’s success. A more engaging work atmosphere improves moods and encourages employees to continue working productively, boosting performance and improving perceptions of the company as a whole to retain top talent.

Creative Problem Solving

A competition can be about more than just learned skills. It can require creative thinking and innovative problem solving to find answers for various challenges. For some, the strain of thinking outside the box can be difficult to maintain. Turning problems into competitions and encouraging employees to work towards a prize or other goal can promote more creative solutions without making it seem like tiring work. When working in teams, employees may feel more comfortable taking creative risks and proposing unique ideas.

While a risk taken on one’s own can feel like a precarious move, rallying support from coworkers who also feel that the idea is worth trying out can produce more interesting results.

Incentives to Succeed

Most people are motivated by more than just a paycheck at the end of the day. They enjoy feeling successful, skilled, appreciated, and intelligent. Competition within the workplace can increase employees’ motivation to do good work and show that they are valuable to the company. Consider what rewards would most motivate your employees, and encourage them to meet certain targets through the promise of a team outing or catered lunch. For the right reward — even if that reward is just recognition and appreciation — employees can revitalize their minds and begin thinking in more unique ways to help your company solve its most challenging puzzles.

Schedule A Northern Virginia Team Building Activity

A Northern Virginia team building activity that encourages creativity, teamwork, and the completion of goals can help bring the effects of competition back to the workplace. Consider organizing an outing to Bond’s Team Building to help your team grow through competition. Contact Bond’s Team Building for more information and to schedule your Northern Virginia team building activity.