If booking a team building session is high on your list of priorities and you’ve stumbled upon local comedy-based team building sessions, it’s fair to have your qualms about how it could be as effective as the tried-and-tested trust games and problem-solving challenges you’ve carried out before. The good news is, there’s so much more to it than giving your people a laugh. Here’s a look at what those added benefits are:
Comedy team building benefits for people and for business
It builds camaraderie
Comedy team building builds camaraderie by creating a relaxed and fun environment where employees can bond over shared experiences and silliness. It might be the first time they get to see each other in a way that shatters any illusion of superiority, and shows that we’re all people who can and should have fun! Improv team building encourages employees to work together, trust one another, and appreciate each other’s strengths. While joke writing workshops can give an intimate glimpse into the way people view the world.
It improves team communication
Participants will be expected to think fast, think creatively and think bizarre. They’ll be pushed to see things from others perspectives and put themselves in imaginative scenarios they don’t usually have the time or freedom to think about. Games often involve active listening and experimentation with new communication techniques. Think: mime or Ewok! While it’s probably best they don’t take these exact communication methods out on the shop floor, the practice of exploring other ways to communicate is undeniably beneficial and encourages bravery and confidence.
It increases creativity
Comedy team building activities increase creativity by requiring employees to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions on the spot. By exercising their creativity in a fun and supportive environment, employees can unlock their full potential and bring fresh ideas to the workplace. The best bit being there are few rules. In fact the sillier the ideas, the more the laughter.
It helps highlight new perspectives
Comedy is a great way to highlight new perspectives and encourage employees to think differently, consider new viewpoints, and challenge their assumptions. By broadening their perspectives, employees can work more effectively with colleagues and customers, and make more informed decisions.
It boosts productivity
Did you know happy employees are 12% more productive than unhappy employees? By showing you value laughter, you can establish a more positive workplace culture. And when employees know it’s ok to have fun, they are more likely to feel motivated and invested in their work, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Plus, there’s the very real productivity boost that comes from laughing lots and then heading back to do work with endorphins pumping.
It reduces stress
Comedy team building activities can also reduce stress by providing a break from the daily routine and creating a fun, low-pressure environment. This helps employees feel more relaxed and rejuvenated, leading to better focus and improved employee engagement as a whole.
It builds confidence
Building confidence is another key benefit of comedy team building. By encouraging employees to step out of their comfort zones and try new things in the safety of a professionally run workshop, these activities can build self-confidence and self-esteem. Even for those employees you deem more reserved, comedy workshops provide opportunities to show leadership and share ideas at their own pace. At Laughter Spark, we know that not everyone wants to take the limelight and that’s ok.
It brings the fun!
Finally, comedy team building brings fun to environments where adult responsibilities and organisational pressures are typically high. By incorporating humour and laughter, these team building workshops create a positive and enjoyable atmosphere that will improve morale and team spirit. Laughter is scientifically proven to reduce stress and increase happiness, and increase employee satisfaction making it a valuable tool for building a happy and healthy workforce.
Why choose comedy team building over traditional team building?
With comedy team building activities being less well-known (yet gaining in popularity) they offer a unique and engaging approach your employees are unlikely to have experienced before. This means, before the sessions have even started employees are likely to have their curiosity piqued.
While traditional team building activities involve structured exercises or group activities with the aim of improving communication, collaboration, and trust within a team – they are not always the most engaging or memorable for employees. In contrast, comedy team building activities offer novelty, imagination, and the guarantee that whatever happens will be a completely unique experience. Entertainment and fun is at the forefront of a comedy workshop, with teachable moments and skill building being an inescapable side-effect that doesn’t need overexplaining. Ideal if you’re looking to give your team a break from formal lectures or management speak.
All team building has the aim of growing your teams and nurturing collaboration, and employees know that. Ultimately, team building activities are often seen as another business ‘to do’ for the benefit of their organisation. When you prioritise fun, laughter, and silliness, however, you make it clear it’s about benefiting them too. To be given the chance to laugh and play is a huge work perk.
How comedy team building differs from the team building workshops you know
In addition to being more engaging (and enjoyable) comedy team building can provide benefits that traditional team building may not. Improv exercises, for example, require employees to think on their feet, in front of their peers, and come up with creative solutions in the moment. Skills which when applied to work-related tasks, lead to more innovative and effective solutions.
Comedy team building activities also encourage everyone to participate and contribute equally, regardless of their role or position within the company. And even make a fool of themselves! This helps to break down barriers between employees, helping them to create deep bonds through laughter, and ultimately leading to better collaboration and teamwork.
Ready to discuss bringing all these benefits to your teams? Get in touch today to discuss comedy team building workshops to match your needs.