With the rise of teleworking, maintaining strong working relationships between team members can be a challenge. Yet harmonious working relationships are essential to employee productivity and well-being. Virtual team-building has proven to be an excellent way of strengthening the bonds between colleagues, despite the distance. This article explores the best virtual team-building exercises for fostering collaboration and improving relationships within remote teams.
1. General knowledge quizzes and games
Virtual quizzes are a fun way to bring teams together while stimulating their competitive spirit. Whether it’s questions on general knowledge, specific themes or personalized questions about the company, quizzes are an easy way to break the work routine and strengthen relationships.
- Platforms to use: Kahoot, Quizizz or even a simple Google Form can be used to organize these quizzes.
- Impact on the team: This exercise encourages relaxation, while stimulating informal exchanges between colleagues. It is particularly useful for relieving pressure and creating a friendly atmosphere.
2. Group problem-solving challenges
Organizing problem-solving challenges is an effective way of encouraging collaboration and strengthening team cohesion. Members have to work together, even from a distance, to find solutions to complex problems. These challenges can be fun or linked to real-life situations in the company.
- Examples of challenges: online escape games (virtual escape rooms), enigmas to be solved as a team, or fictitious scenarios where the team has to make decisions.
- Impact on the team: This type of exercise stimulates creativity, communication and collaborative decision-making, while building trust between colleagues.
3. The virtual ‘Icebreaker
Icebreakers are essential for lightening the mood and encouraging social interaction in a team. These activities are particularly effective for new teams or when a new member joins a group.
- Examples of activities: Each team member shares a fun fact about themselves, or a round table discussion where everyone presents their favourite item from their home office.
- Impact on the team: These exercises help break down the emotional barrier of working remotely, fostering personal connections and getting to know each other better.
4. Collaborative creative workshops
Stimulating creativity can improve team dynamics, especially when it comes to creating something together. Virtual workshops based on creativity, such as collaborative drawing, collective writing or content creation, allow team members to express themselves differently.
- Examples of workshops: Organizing an online drawing competition, a creative brainstorming session on a project, or creating a story where each member adds a part.
- Impact on the team: These workshops encourage everyone to participate and strengthen cohesion by valuing individual ideas and contributions.
5. The virtual coffee break
It’s important to create moments for socializing, even from a distance. Virtual coffee breaks mimic the spontaneous conversations you might have around the coffee machine in the office. These moments of informal relaxation allow you to discuss non-professional subjects and strengthen ties.
- How to organize?: Plan 15-30 minute sessions where team members can chat informally without a specific agenda.
- Impact on the team: These breaks help to relax the atmosphere, create opportunities for social connection and foster a warmer corporate culture.
6. Group wellness sessions
To keep a team in good health, both physically and mentally, wellness sessions can be an excellent team-building exercise. Meditation activities, virtual yoga sessions or even discussions on stress management can be proposed.
- Examples of sessions: A guided meditation session, a yoga session, or a mindfulness workshop.
- Impact on the team: These moments help to reinforce individual well-being while fostering a company culture that takes care of its employees, thereby strengthening their commitment.
7. Collaborative online video games
Multiplayer online video games are becoming increasingly popular as a team-building tool. They combine entertainment and teamwork. Choosing games that are simple and accessible to all, such as strategy or simulation games, can help to bind teams together.
- Examples of games: ‘Among Us’, ‘Minecraft’ or trivia games like ‘Jackbox Party’.
- Impact on the team: Video games help develop communication and strategy skills, while providing a fun, relaxing moment for teams.
Virtual team-building is a valuable tool for improving working relationships at a distance. Activities such as quizzes, collaborative challenges, virtual coffee breaks or online video games help to create human connections despite the distance. By using these exercises, employers can maintain close-knit, committed and productive teams in an evolving remote working environment.
