Teams can be built through special forces boot camps, where it is team building, and not much else. Effective? Possibly, but very dependent on the group. Inclusive? Unlikely, there are sure to be many who feel little satisfaction experiencing hypothermia, humiliation and blisters.
Team-building is about shared experiences, not shared suffering. There are several high-end team-building experiences that will leave teams feeling rewarded and bonded.
Sailing regattas
The hardware is often superb, the settings stunning, and the thrill of racing by wind is enthralling – sailing regattas are spectacularly good for team building. Broken down into small groups, teams are paired with a yacht and a skipper and work together to be the first over the line. Sailing regattas are the 'high life' of team building, with exclusive yacht clubs hosting the post-race celebrations. The settings are often magical, featuring city, beach, or mountain backdrops, along with stylish quayside venues. Sailing regatta locations include the freshwater of Lake Como, and Lake Garda, as well as the coastal gems of Lisbon, Helsinki and Venice.
White-water rafting
Still on the water, white-water rafting offers a more immersive experience than sailing, with walls of water entering the boat and participants entering the river. Split into teams of around six, clients descend thundering rivers in an inflatable raft, with the raft guide at the stern, to coordinate, steer and perform rescue duties. The raft's crew are tasked with paddling furiously when needed and hanging on at other times. White-water rafting is a team-building activity that isn’t a 'first past the post' format - it is all about shared experiences within and between rafts. The location and easy access to thrills make this an absolutely stand-out team-building activity. Locations such as AREA 47, Kitzbühel and Garmisch are superb locations for rafting.
Skiing
Another hugely potent team-building activity is skiing (or snowboarding). Unlike sailing or white-water rafting, people move individually, yet collectively. Ski lifts bring everyone together, as do off-piste descents, where groups regularly pause for safety briefings. Skiers tend to coalesce into small groups of similar abilities, whether they are elite skiers or those on their first day of skiing. Shared experiences on corporate ski trips can be memorable.
Group lunches are another point of interaction that helps forge group ties. The drama of the settings, the experiences on the snow and the appreciation of the gastronomy all bring groups together. The après ski terrace is the perfect way to round off a day in the mountains. Here, ability in bindings becomes irrelevant, and team members can make their mark on the floors and tables of iconic bars. Frequently, the scene of corporate ski trip highlights, après ski terraces regularly make company legends.
Beyond bog snorkelling
There are numerous innovative and amusing team-building activities available. However, it is key to remember that team-building doesn't have to involve group torment - it is also possible to do it with a touch of glamour on a mountain terrace or yacht club.