You found our list of team building activities for leaders.
Team building activities for leaders are games and exercises that increase leadership skills. These ideas can also improve communication and stimulate creative thinking within a team. For example, strategy simulation exercises, orienteering challenges, or mystery ingredient cooking shows. The purpose of these activities is to foster a stronger sense of teamwork. Further, these activities cultivate leadership skills and boost morale among staff. These activities are also known as “activities for leadership team building,” “bonding exercises for executive teams,” and “cooperation exercises for managers.”
These activities are similar to leadership icebreakers, executive retreat ideas, and leadership games.
This list includes:
- activities for leadership team building
- bonding exercises for executive teams
- cooperation exercises for managers
- executive group bonding exercise
- executive team building exercises
- executive team growth exercises
So, here is the list!
List of team building activities for leaders
From personality assessments to the partner mirroring game, here are some of the best ideas to help leaders bond.
1. Strategy Simulation
Strategy simulation is one of the top executive team growth exercises. This hands-on experience tests strategic thinking skills in a simulated business environment.
To host this activity, design a realistic business scenario for your industry. Then, leaders work together to create a plan to solve the issue. For instance, discussions can cover resource allocation, risk assessment, and collaboration. Participants make critical decisions, fostering problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Leaders analyze outcomes, adapt strategies, and promote effective teamwork. The key advantage is the opportunity to practice tough decisions without real-world consequences. Thus, executives can experiment and learn from failures. In summary, these exercises help refine decision-making in a risk-free setting.
Check out more problem-solving exercises.
2. Orienteering Challenges
Orienteering challenges are an exciting team building activity. In this sport, participants navigate unfamiliar terrain with a map and compass. Working together, leaders plan routes, analyze maps, and reach checkpoints.
When setting up an orienteering challenge, be sure to take safety precautions. For instance, give participants first-aid supplies and walkie-talkies. Also, you can have an experienced outdoor enthusiast go on the trip. That way, teams run a minimal risk of getting lost or injured.
This process enhances navigation skills and team coordination. Orienteering challenges push individuals out of their comfort zones, encouraging critical thinking. Beyond physical fitness, these challenges test mental agility and adaptability. Leaders can assess team strengths and observe how individuals handle stress. Overall, orienteering challenges promote team skills and personal growth.
Here are some more great outdoor team building activities.
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3. Personality Assessments
Personality assessments are useful activities for leadership team building. These assessments help outline individual traits and preferences. Examples include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or DISC profile. Leaders can use these insights to tailor their management styles. Benefits include enhanced self-awareness, better communication skills, and increased empathy within teams. Recognizing diverse perspectives fosters inclusivity in the workplace.
However, it is important not to judge solely on personality tests. For team building, you can have each member complete the tests. Then, hold a group discussion to promote a deeper understanding of the results. Effectively using these tools fosters an environment of self-reflection and open communication.
Check out this list of the top personality tests.
4. Mystery Ingredient Cooking Challenge
During this team building activity, participants create a dish using a surprise ingredient. For instance, the mystery food could be cotton candy, dragon fruit, or goat cheese.
Leaders can cook individually or as a team. Participants can take a few minutes to decide what their dishes will be. Then, give chefs a set amount of time to complete their meals. After cooking, a panel of judges can taste the dishes and crown a winner!
This exercise fosters creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. By cooking together, individuals learn to think creatively and adapt quickly. The surprise element keeps participants engaged and encourages quick thinking. Also, leaders can show their skills by guiding their team through the cooking process. Overall, this activity promotes teamwork and develops essential leadership qualities.
This article details more office cook-off ideas.
5. Public Speaking Workshop
A public speaking workshop helps leaders communicate with more confidence and clarity. Participants practice speaking techniques, and colleagues can offer constructive feedback. Topics can be silly to encourage a relaxed environment. For instance, speakers could discuss their favorite movies or their top vacations. You can also ask a public speaking expert to offer tips to the team.
Interactive sessions improve clarity, audience engagement, and presentation impact. These skills encourage effective communication with teams, clients, and stakeholders. Workshops also boost self-confidence and the ability to inspire others. By honing public speaking skills, leaders can share their visions and motivate teams.
6. Leadership Roleplay
Leadership roleplay games are great cooperation exercises for managers. Participants get to practice and improve their leadership skills in a safe environment.
To run this activity, create a list of possible workplace scenarios. Examples include handling challenges or having difficult conversations. Leaders can take turns responding to the scenarios. After each session, provide feedback and encourage group discussion for improvement.
This exercise promotes self-awareness, empathy, adaptable leadership, and teamwork. Leadership roleplay builds confidence in challenging situations and helps leaders navigate team dynamics.
7. Health and Wellness Day
A health and wellness day focuses on the well-being of team members. To organize this experience, plan fitness activities and mindfulness sessions. For instance, activities like yoga or meditation enhance focus and problem-solving skills. Then, be sure to provide nutritious snacks and drinks to boost energy. You can also play relaxing music to create a stress-free environment.
Emphasizing health and wellness encourages teams to prioritize self-care and builds positive relationships. Plus, a healthier work environment reduces stress and increases focus.
Check out these wellness programs and activities.
8. Project Management Game
The project management game is one of the top executive team building exercises. During this game, participants make strategic decisions for a fictional project.
To host this experience, create an imaginary project to manage. You can either build a more realistic project or make a sillier one. After writing the project details, split participants into teams. As project managers, leaders make decisions on factors like budget, resources, and risk. Then, participants can present their project plans to the rest of the group.
This game helps players learn to navigate complex problems. Further, the exercises boost communication and delegation skills.
9. Partner Mirroring Game
The partner mirroring game helps build team trust and communication. In this game, pairs of participants face each other. One player moves, and their partner mirrors those movements as quickly as possible. For instance, players can lift their arms, twist in their chairs, or bend at the waist. The goal is to encourage active listening and nonverbal communication.
This game fosters a deeper understanding of cues and builds rapport. Participants will also build skills like active listening and empathy. In summary, the partner mirroring game enhances trust and communication.
Here are more trust building activities and games.
10. Innovation Workshops
Innovation workshops offer a platform for employees to collaborate and think creatively. During interactive sessions, participants use techniques like design thinking to create innovative ideas.
To conduct an effective workshop, start by defining your objectives. Then, create a safe space for idea sharing and incorporate interactive activities. Activity examples include exploring trends, journey mapping, and reversing roles.
These workshops encourage teams to explore unique solutions to their issues. Further, leaders will gain confidence in proposing unconventional ideas. Overall, innovation workshops unlock creative potential and drive growth.
11. Charity Team Projects
Charity team projects build teamwork while making a positive impact in the community. Engaging in charitable activities strengthens team bonds and brings a sense of purpose. Projects may include volunteering, fundraising, or community clean-up.
Doing charity work as a team instills values like compassion and social responsibility. These outings enhance leadership skills through collaboration and effective communication. Further, these activities create a meaningful and rewarding work environment.
This list outlines some of the best charity team building experiences.
12. Team Mentoring Programs
Team mentoring programs are a great executive group bonding exercise. These programs foster growth and development within the team. These experiences also strengthen relationships among employees.
When starting a team mentorship program, start by establishing guidelines and goals. Then, pair junior and senior members together. Teams can set up regular meetings to share knowledge and information.
These programs boost employee engagement and morale. Workers will feel valued and supported in their professional growth. Further, leaders will connect with their employees and learn more about daily tasks. Overall, team mentoring programs improve teamwork, communication, and productivity in the workplace.
Check out this list of mentorship program ideas.
13. Strengths Discovery Workshop
This workshop focuses on finding and using individuals’ unique strengths within a team. Participants try exercises to explore their top strengths, such as leadership or creativity. Examples of activities include reflection journals, appreciation circles, and skills mapping. Through coworker feedback, executives can learn where they excel. Further, activities may reveal ways participants can improve.
Leaders will learn how their strengths contribute to the team’s success. Thus, the workshop empowers individuals by highlighting strengths, which boosts confidence and motivation. By learning where they shine, managers can better understand how to lead their teams.
Here are more great corporate workshop ideas.
14. Role Reversal Activities
Role reversal activities involve switching roles or responsibilities within a team. Individuals can gain insights into different perspectives and others’ roles. Participants can develop empathy, communication skills, and collaboration techniques.
One example of a role reversal activity is Job Swap. Team members trade positions or take on tasks outside their usual responsibilities. Participants can learn more about their colleagues’ challenges and contributions. This exercise builds trust and encourages cross-functional cooperation and innovation.
Another role reversal activity is Reverse Mentoring. In this activity, hosts will pair senior leaders with junior employees. As the name suggests, the junior employees mentor their superiors. By swapping the traditional mentorship dynamic, leaders can learn from younger colleagues. These employees may bring fresh perspectives, technological expertise, and knowledge of emerging trends.
While running these experiences, be sure members feel comfortable participating. Also, consider hosting discussions after each exercise to learn about each other’s insights.
15. Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Cross-departmental collaborations can help create connections and achieve organizational goals. Teams can benefit from diverse perspectives, skills, and knowledge to solve complex problems. This exchange of ideas can improve decision-making, efficiency, and creativity.
To host successful cross-departmental collaborations, create clear communication channels across the firm. Regular meetings or joint projects can allow employees from different departments to interact. Additionally, encouraging collaboration can motivate employees to take part in cross-departmental initiatives.
Leaders should keep potential challenges in mind during these experiences as well. Collaborations may need extra effort to align workflows, priorities, or resources. Further, conflicts or power dynamic issues may arise. Promoting transparency and fostering a respectful environment can address these issues.
With these activities, leaders can learn more about the organization and encourage innovation.
16. Cultural Awareness Day
Cultural awareness activities are among the best bonding exercises for executive teams. These experiences foster a positive and inclusive work environment. Further, these exercises promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for different cultural backgrounds.
One great activity is a culture-sharing session. Team members can share parts of their own culture with their colleagues. For instance, participants can share traditional food, music, or stories. Individuals get to showcase their unique traits, and others can embrace diversity.
Another activity is organizing a cultural trivia game or quiz. Teams can answer questions about various cultures from around the world. This exercise exposes players to different customs, traditions, and beliefs. By engaging in such activities, leaders can create an environment that values diversity.
By adding these activities to team building initiatives, leaders can foster cultural awareness. Understanding and appreciating diverse perspectives enhances collaboration and problem-solving abilities within teams.
Check out this list of DEI activities.
17. Vision-Sharing Sessions
Vision-sharing sessions are a valuable team building idea. Team members can align their goals and aspirations with the organization’s vision. During these sessions, leaders can share the company’s mission, values, and long-term objectives. This experience fosters a sense of unity and purpose among the team.
To conduct this activity, leaders can outline the organization’s mission statement and values. Then, managers can hold open discussions. Team members can share their thoughts about how they see themselves adding to the vision. This conversation fosters collaboration and creativity within the team.
Through these sessions, leaders can inspire their teams to work toward a common goal. When employees align with the organization’s vision, they contribute their best efforts. This effort leads to improved teamwork, increased productivity, and a stronger organizational culture.
Teams can collaborate on a virtual vision board.
18. CEO Shadowing Day
Learning about the CEO’s daily tasks can help leaders understand the company’s structure. To host this experience, coordinate with the CEO and identify a day when employees can shadow them. Management can spend the day observing the CEO’s duties and asking questions. At the end of the day, the CEO can hold a debriefing session with the team.
By learning about the executive’s duties, teams can learn how to work toward a shared goal. Knowing the company’s schedule and motivations can guide future projects. Plus, this exercise creates bonds between company leaders and staff.
19. Time Capsule
In the time capsule activity, teams work together to create a collection of items or notes that represent the current state of the team and its members. This collection could include personal reflections, predictions for the future, mementos, photos, news articles, or any item that captures the essence of the team at a specific point in time. Once the team assembles the time capsule, they seal it and set it aside to be opened at a later date, perhaps months or years down the line. This activity encourages reflection, creativity, and a sense of continuity as team members look back on their journey and progress.
20. Leader Interviews
During leader interviews, team members have the opportunity to interview leaders from various fields or levels of the organization. This process could involve bringing in guest speakers or arranging interviews with senior management, successful entrepreneurs, or community leaders. The interviews provide insights into different leadership styles, experiences, and perspectives. Team members can ask about challenges faced, lessons learned, and advice for emerging leaders. This activity exposes participants to diverse leadership approaches and offers valuable learning opportunities. When searching for team building activities for leadership workshops, be sure to add this activity to your list.
21. Emoji Storytelling
During emoji storytelling, provide teams with a set of randomly selected emojis. Participants will then create a coherent story using those emojis as prompts. Team members collaborate to string together the emojis into a narrative, infusing creativity and imagination into the process. The challenge lies in crafting a story that logically connects the emojis while incorporating plot twists, characters, and settings. This activity encourages thinking outside the box and working collaboratively to weave a story from seemingly unrelated elements.
22. Values Ranking
Values ranking is an activity where team members individually rank a list of core values based on their personal priorities. After ranking, team members come together to discuss their choices, share insights into why certain values are important to them, and explore any differences in perspectives. The goal is to facilitate a discussion that helps the team identify shared values and priorities. This activity can lead to greater clarity about the team’s guiding principles, fostering a sense of unity and alignment.
23. Group Mind Mapping
Group mind mapping involves visually brainstorming ideas, concepts, or solutions on a large surface like a whiteboard or paper. The process starts with a central idea or topic in the center of the space. Then, team members collaboratively add related ideas, subtopics, or branches around it. This process creates a visual representation of the team’s collective thoughts and associations. Group mind mapping promotes collaboration, helps organize complex ideas, and encourages participants to build on each other’s contributions. This technique is particularly useful for generating ideas, planning projects, or exploring relationships between concepts.
24. Balloon Animal Challenge
In the balloon animal challenge, provide teams with balloons and instructions for creating various balloon animals. Participants work together to follow the instructions and create the balloon animals. This activity goes beyond simple balloon twisting by encouraging creativity, as team members may modify or embellish the designs. The challenge promotes collaboration, communication, and patience. Participants must coordinate their efforts to inflate, twist, and shape the balloons according to the instructions. Additionally, the game can serve as an icebreaker or a fun break during a longer team building session.
25. Silent Meetings
Silent meetings involve conducting a meeting without verbal communication. Instead, participants communicate using written notes, messaging apps, or whiteboards. This activity prompts team members to carefully consider their words, improve written communication skills, and actively listen to each other’s messages. Silent meetings can be particularly effective in highlighting the importance of clear and concise communication. Additionally, this activity demonstrates how nonverbal cues, like body language, play a role in understanding conversations. This activity can be an eye-opening experience that encourages participants to approach communication more intentionally.
26. Personality Potion
In the personality potion activity, give teams a set of personality traits that represent qualities or attributes associated with effective leaders. These traits might include creativity, adaptability, empathy, and decisiveness. Team members collaborate to select a combination of traits they believe would create the “perfect personality potion” for a leader. This activity encourages discussions about leadership qualities and helps team members explore the nature of effective leadership. This exercise also allows participants to reflect on their own strengths and growth areas as leaders.
27. Blind Art Auction
In a blind art auction, teams will create artwork while blindfolded. Once the artists are done, they hold a mock art auction where teams must “sell” their artworks to the rest of the group. This activity is both creative and engaging, as it requires participants to use their senses of touch and spatial awareness to create art without visual cues. During the auction, team members take on the role of persuasive salespeople, highlighting the positive aspects of their artwork. Blind art auction encourages teamwork, creativity, and effective communication. Participants must convey the value of their creations to potential “buyers.” This lighthearted activity can lead to laughter and a sense of accomplishment.
28. Did You Know?
Team building sometimes utilizes relationship-building techniques. This exercise is an excellent activity any team can engage in to learn more about each other.
To play the game:
- Have a manager or a team leader act as a narrator.
- Participants write five or more fun facts about themselves and give the sheet to the team leader.
- The manager should then use each point to question the group. For example, leaders can ask, “Did you know that a teammate has a boating license?”
- The manager will then open the floor for members to guess who has a boating license and why the chosen team member is the most likely option.
This idea is one of the team building leadership games that encourages teammates to recall past conversations or observations about other participants. The activity also opens the floor for better relationships between colleagues.
Browse this list of get to know you questions for inspiration.
29. Leader for A Day
Leader for a day places every participant as a leader in charge of the team. The activity aims to build respect and working relationships among the team. The manager can appoint a team member to lead for the day every other week. The selected leader will have a list of managerial tasks and duties to carry out throughout the day successfully. Tasks can include projects and delegation, reviews, praise, and corrections, which the member must give to the team. Any job that can place employees in a leadership position, including enforcing a rule for a day, can be included in the leader’s daily duties. The game aims to see how each member manages the task and team with all possible difficulties. The activity also tests how other staff respond to leadership changes and styles.
30. Stick to the Values
Certain workplace values maximize team relationships. Stick to the values is a great way to let members know more about each other and test how well they can uphold the values. To play the game, team leaders must highlight workplace standards that help build team relationships. These principles include patience, commitment, punctuality, accountability, and discipline. Each participant must pick a value and spend a week trying to uphold it. Then, other colleagues will determine if teammates have stuck to their assigned values.
You can rotate the ideals until each member has explored each. Teammates can then judge how well a coworker maintained the assigned value and if they failed or succeeded while sticking to their value. This game is one of the leadership team building activities that will help members learn the team’s expectations and how these values affect the team.
Here are examples of company core values.
31. Lip Reading Relay
Lip reading relay is a team building exercise that instills trust, teamwork, and creativity among colleagues.
To play the game:
- Managers divide the team into groups of three.
- A volunteer from each group will wear noise-canceling headphones to ensure they cannot hear a single word.
- The other players will get a sentence or a short paragraph of information.
- Have the members relay the information to the deafened player as accurately as possible.
- Participants can speak in low voices to ensure the headphone wearer cannot hear.
- Players cannot show the deafened member the paragraph or sentence.
- Colleagues can use bodily expressions and mouth words slowly to ensure the deafened player understands the text.
This game encourages thoughtful communication and problem-solving skills.
32. One-Sentence Instruction
One-sentence instruction explores how teammates react to guidelines. The game begins with a manager calling the team and providing instructions for members to complete. The instruction must be vague and incomplete.
For instance:
- Organize and send some files
- Create a video for a company
- Develop a plan
The goal is to see how workers respond to this guideline. There should also be a time frame for completing the task. You can expect three different responses.
The first set of members will instantly jump to complete the job and try to figure out or fill in the blanks of the incomplete instruction. The second set will stop and ask questions to learn more about the expectations. For this group, the manager should remain steadfast in simply repeating the one-sentence instruction. The last group will most likely do nothing.
At the end of the timeline, the manager should evaluate each group. The first set was active, but incomplete instruction is the root of many errors. The second set is the most successful. When an instruction is vague, stop and seek clarity. The last should get encouragement to be more active in their actions. Doing nothing can be worse than filling in the blanks. This activity can teach participants the importance of speaking out and seeking clarification when an instruction is unclear.
33. Teams of the World
Teams of the world encourages members to learn how other famous teams managed and succeeded. Managers should conduct in-depth research on various world teams that completed a notable feat and get as much detail about the working dynamic of the team as possible. Managers can turn to companies with renowned team operations, like Trader Joe’s, Rackspace, and Amazon.
Once the managers have information on these companies and a specific division, they can gather the participants and have them discuss each team and what lessons they can learn. Managers can go a step further and get information about famous broken teams, such as Enron and Toys R Us. Then, leaders can highlight the reasons or series of events that lead to the group’s dissolution. Managers can try to see what members think and feel about these famous teams.
34. Alternate Words
Alternate words is an effortless game that teammates can play to build teamwork and collaboration.
To play the game:
- Split players into groups of two.
- The game requires a team of two players. Player one gets a stack of cards with images or symbols.
- Player one will have to use alternate words to explain the image or word. For example, the card might say, “Picture.” Player one must use an alternate term, like photograph, to describe it.
- The second player must reply with the correct word or name.
The game can be time-based to make it more challenging.
35. Find the Missing Item
As an accessible team building and leadership game, find the missing item is fun and effective.
To play the game:
- Managers split the team into groups of at least three.
- Each group gets a minute to go through over 20 items or images.
- The manager will take the items and remove a quarter of them.
- The team leader can bring the cards back to the team.
- The team will identify the missing items.
This game helps encourage teams to pay attention to detail and communicate.
36. Speed Texting
Speed texting can also be an excellent team building activity that ensures teammates work together toward a common goal.
To play the game:
- Group participants into twos or threes.
- One teammate will read a text aloud from a piece of paper, another will type, and a third will serve as a cross-checker.
- The team must work together to get the correct text sent within a given timeframe.
- The team with the most accurate and complete text wins.
Speed texting is one of the best quick leadership team building activities to explore during your event.
Here is a list of more texting games.
37. Team Research
Senior leadership team building activities are complex and demand each individual takes responsibility for tasks while collectively working for one goal or project. Team research is one such activity. For this activity, managers should develop an intricate question or task where members must research information and collect data from various online and offline sources.
The question or project should consist of multiple mini tasks, which teams must solve before arriving at the solution. The activity should have a limited time frame, causing teammates to divide tasks to solve the project faster. Team research as a task will prompt the division of labor and teamwork to ensure success within the limited time.
38. Team Building – Literally
In this activity, colleagues will try to recreate objects using crafting or building supplies.
The game will require a lot of resources and tools, including:
- toilet paper
- pencils
- cardboards
- utensils
- bottle caps
- Lego blocks
- Play-Doh
- building sticks
These resources should be available before the game begins. The manager will need to split the team members into groups of two or more, depending on the team size. Managers can give groups detailed items or images to build using the tools and resources.
The object can be reasonably complex. However, the goal is to see how well the teams work together and how creative they are while recreating the build. The team with the most attention to detail and teamwork wins. Team building – literally is an excellent way to boost collaboration, creativity, communication, and attention to detail.
39. Team Fundraiser
A team fundraiser is a fun way to see how well teammates can work together for the common good. Leaders should pair teammates randomly and have groups choose from a preselected list of charity organizations. Each team will devise a fundraising strategy and raise money for their charity. Managers can set a small target amount and a stipulated time frame.
The game can come with rules, such as funds must be from folks unrelated to the team. You can also set rules that enable groups to raise money within or outside the company. Managers can devise whatever rule makes the game even more challenging. Team fundraising opens teammates to teamwork and respect, allowing members to move past personal differences. Besides, the event also enables employees to participate in a charitable effort.
40. Favorite Teammate Feature
The favorite teammate feature is a game that helps teams value each other and their skills. Team members will pick a teammate and share the work values and characteristics they love about their colleagues. The game can go further by asking each employee to say which of the chosen colleague’s traits deserves emulation. Be sure to give each member time in the spotlight.
Another variation to this game is to ask every participant to list three to five favorite features of all teammates. Each point listed can be about the member’s work ethic, general personality, skills, and values. The favorite teammate feature aims to get colleagues to appreciate each other and identify the team’s strengths. The game is also a way for participants to see themselves through the eyes of other colleagues.
Here are more gratitude activities.
Final Thoughts
Fostering a strong work environment increases creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction. Hosting team building experiences with leaders is just as important as with teams. Investing in your leadership can greatly impact your workplace’s dynamics. Implementing such initiatives can be game-changing for your organization’s success.
Next, check out our posts on team building best practices and team building challenges, as well as these team building activities for students.