TEAM DEVELOPMENT THAT MOVES THE NEEDLE
- Leslie Speas
- Apr 25
- 3 min read
Most traditional team-building activities — like ropes courses, Office Olympics, picnics, and bowling — are fun and create bonding moments. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, they often only scratch the surface.
MOVE FROM TEAM-BUILDING TO TEAM DEVELOPMENT!
If you really want to unleash your team’s full potential, you need to go deeper. True team development focuses on raising self-awareness, strengthening skills, and creating sustainable improvement for today and long-term success.
Effective team development can help you:
Build trust and strengthen relationships
Brainstorm new ideas and innovative strategies
Identify and solve challenges while aligning on long-term goals
Reflect on behaviors and mindsets, tackling what holds the team back and amplifying what drives success
Start by determining your goal
Before diving in, ask yourself:
What do I want the team to know or do that they can’t today?
What pain point do I want to solve?
What outcomes am I hoping to achieve?
For example, if your team is experiencing drama from personality differences, your goal might be to build greater empathy and understanding. Then, your development activities can be tailored to meet that specific need.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES (Based on Your Goal)
Building Trust, Understanding, and Empathy
The Working Genius Model and Assessment·
The 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team
Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
Improving Communication and Reducing Negative Conflict
Create Team Ground Rules
Develop skills within the team for tough conversations and productive conflict
Boosting Team Engagement
Establish a clear and inspiring Team Purpose
General Tools for Team Growth
Liberating Structures - Introduction frameworks
Fieldbook of Team Interventions (Step-by-Step Guide to High-Performance Teams)
Resources from Resources — The Thiagi Group
Well-designed Icebreakers (more than just "fun," they can spark great insights!)
Team Problem-Solving
Depends on the issue, but here is a resource that may help you design your activity/ intervention.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Facilitators
Who will lead your team development session — you, a team member, or an external facilitator?
Remember, internal facilitation can be tricky. Leaders especially may find it difficult to facilitate objectively while still contributing. A neutral, external facilitator often makes it easier to surface tough issues and ensures everyone's voice is heard. They also bring fresh tools and insights from working with diverse teams.
Keep in mind - If bringing in someone external isn’t in the budget, a well-prepared internal facilitator can still do an excellent job with the right planning and mindset.
Frequency: One and Done, or Ongoing?
Consider whether team development will be woven into regular meetings or scheduled as a special off-site event. Off-sites allow deeper focus but remember: one event won't create lasting change unless there’s a plan for follow-through.
EXECUTING SUCCESSFULLY
Share the "why" behind each activity.
Facilitate actively to ensure all voices are heard, especially quieter ones.
Understand that team development is a beginning, not an end.
Expect — and welcome — follow-up work and accountability.
Reinforce new ideas and language introduced during development sessions consistently over time.
Clearly define action items and track progress.
FINAL THOUGHT
When done intentionally and thoughtfully, team development can transform not only your team's effectiveness but the culture of your organization. It's not just about bonding, it’s about building something better, stronger, and more sustainable.
Need a partner in this process?
I’d love to help! We offer customizable Team Transformation Solutions designed to fit your unique needs. And even if you just want a little guidance, I’m happy to offer some tips at no charge. Let’s unlock the full potential of your team!
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