Virtually Unstoppable, or Teams Without Borders

Photo by Ibin Siraj on Unsplash

I wasn’t taken aback or surprised in any way when one of my teammates said she liked corporate parties a lot, especially local ones, because during those best working solutions arise.

It might be the atmosphere of ‘no pressure’ that people start generating brilliant ideas and become more empathetic towards other teams involved in the complex initiatives. Whatever the reason, it was not the first time I got some proof that collaboration is better within those teams who know how to share moments of fun besides hard work-related tasks.

In today’s overwhelming-and-demanding-and-constantly-changing-and-challenging-aka-what-doesn’t-kill-us-makes-us-stronger work environment, the importance of team building has never been greater. As organizations tackle increasingly complex challenges, collaboration and adaptability are critical to success. For distributed teams, where physical distance can often hinder connection and communication, intentional efforts to foster unity and trust are essential. Whether in traditional offices or across virtual platforms, team building helps bridge gaps, create shared purpose, and empower teams to navigate complexities together with greater cohesion and efficiency. These are the moments that actually transform groups of people into teams.

Why Does Team Building Matter?

Well, there are a number of reasons. Let me briefly overview a few:

Building Trust and Connection Trust is the foundation of any successful team, and team-building activities play a crucial role in establishing it. By promoting understanding and mutual respect, these activities break down barriers and create an environment where team members feel safe sharing their ideas and challenges. For instance, team retreats or problem-solving games allow individuals to see each other in a new, more personal light, strengthening the interpersonal bonds that are essential for smooth collaboration. Teams that trust each other communicate more openly, resolve conflicts more effectively, and navigate workflows with greater ease, ensuring seamless coordination in even most demanding projects.

Encouraging Creativity and Collaboration Team-building activities, especially those in informal settings, can unlock a team’s creative potential. In the absence of pressure, ideas flow more freely, and team members feel empowered to think outside the box. For example, during corporate events or casual gatherings, colleagues often find innovative solutions to work challenges through organic, spontaneous conversations. 

Boosting Morale and Engagement Beyond trust and creativity, team building significantly impacts morale and engagement. Shared experiences - whether a team volunteering day, a fun competition, or a virtual game - foster a sense of belonging. These activities remind employees that they are valued and part of a supportive team, reducing burnout and increasing job satisfaction. High morale naturally translates into greater productivity, as motivated employees are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles. A team that feels connected and appreciated is not just happier - it’s more resilient, energized, and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Advantages of team building activities clarified, I can move on with more down-to-earth topics. Co-located teams definitely seem to be more privileged as far as non-work-directly-related pastime is concerned. This, however, does not mean they should be neglected. On the contrary, such teams might need it even more. Thus, let us first look at possible challenges.

The Challenges of Team Building in Distributed Teams

Distance and Disconnection One of the most significant challenges of team building in distributed teams is the physical distance between members, which can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection. With team members often working across multiple locations and time zones, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose becomes more complex. Unlike co-located teams, remote teams lack the ease of in-person interactions that naturally build trust and feeling of safety. As a result, leaders must be intentional in designing opportunities for connection that overcome geographic boundaries and foster a shared team identity.

Cultural Differences and Communication Barriers Distributed teams often include individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, which can enrich collaboration but also introduce complexities. Differences in communication styles, work expectations, and even social norms can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or friction. Team-building efforts for such groups require a thoughtful approach that respects and embraces diversity while finding common ground. Activities must be inclusive and culturally sensitive, ensuring every team member feels valued and understood, regardless of their background or location.

Lack of Spontaneity In remote settings, the natural, unstructured moments of connection that occur in physical offices - like watercooler chats or sudden brainstorming sessions - are often missing. These spontaneous interactions play a key role in building relationships and fostering creativity. Without them, remote teams can feel more transactional, with conversations limited to work-related topics during scheduled meetings. To address this, leaders must find ways to replicate informal interactions in virtual spaces, creating opportunities for team members to bond and build trust outside of their usual tasks.

Team building activities can be the tools to overcome these obstacles. Not to bore you down with dry theory, I would like to simply share some real examples I used with my teams. It will make me happy if you find them useful.

• Sport Challenge:

The easiest way to engage people in competitive and healthy activity is to challenge them. We had a few walking challenges both within the team, and at a company level. For the first option, such an app as Strava or Pacer can be used, and all the tracking will be done automatically. At a company level it was more manual but still engaging. There was a shared excel table for every participant to enter the number of steps, providing proof in the dedicated channel.

• Game Night

It does not necessarily have to be night, any time slot will do as long as the majority find it suitable. Now there are plenty of online tools to use. So feel free to diversify your ordinary meeting bingo with some other options. My favourite ones are as follows:

• Gartic Phone

A funny game of speedy interpretation that only seems to be straightforward and predictable. The flow is clear: one player writes a phrase, the next player draws it, the third one describes the drawing, and the cycle alternates until the results are gloriously, hilariously unrecognizable. For example, “Sonic the Hedgehog running really fast” might turn into “A lonely ghost crying” by the time it’s gone through five rounds of questionable artistic interpretation and creative overthinking.

Players range from those who sketch with Michelangelo-level precision to those who can barely manage a stick figure. But the beauty of the Gartic Phone lies in its inclusivity - whether you’re a doodler, a pun master, or just here for the laughs, there’s a place for you in the madness.

Every round ends with a big reveal of the “masterpieces,” and the resulting laughter is often louder than the artistic talent on display. In short, the Gartic Phone is the perfect recipe for a chaotic good time with friends. Bring your sense of humor, but leave your dignity at the door!

• Which One is False?

A well-known activity to learn more about your teammates. Everyone is asked to prepare a list of facts about themselves, out of which one is false. The participants are to guess which exact one is a porky pie.

• SCRIBBL.IO

Skribbl.io is the ultimate test of your ability to draw a perfectly recognizable giraffe using a shaky mouse hand and three colors that almost match reality. 

Here’s how it works: you’re given a random word, and your job is to draw it. Simple, right? Except you have to do it quickly, and it often happens that your hand betrays your brain, and instead of a space ship you come up with a potato. Meanwhile, your friends are frantically typing increasingly desperate guesses: “UFO? Marshmallow? Angry jellybean?”

When it’s your turn to guess, you’re treated to some truly “abstract” interpretations of words like “pineapple” or “elephant.” And let’s not forget that one friend who turns every prompt into a highly detailed scene involving ninjas, tacos, and fantastic creatures from a known-to-a-small-circle-only universe - for absolutely no reason.

• SONGTRIVIA2.IO

Do you consider yourself an expert in K-Pop? Or maybe you can guess rock ballads with one note only? Challenge your friends to join you in this guess-the-song battle! Great time guaranteed!

• Slack Game of Trivia

If your company has chosen Slack as an official messenger, you are lucky. I have already expressed my love for this tool, and it’s time to reveal one more reason. You can use its Polly app to play a game of Trivia. A quick well organized quiz, with such a variety of question categories that would keep you busy for a dozen of events in a row. Ranging from Academy Awards to Harry Potter and Wellbeing, there will be something for every team to enjoy! Simple way to wind down after delivering an urgent feature to live.

Well, I suppose such an arsenal is sufficient to begin with. Let us look at the ways you can initiate this tradition.

Tips for Getting Started

Know Your Team’s Needs The first step to effective team building is understanding what your team values and needs. Conduct quick surveys or informal check-ins to feel preferences for activities - whether they like creative challenges, casual hangouts, or skill-building sessions. Pay attention to what motivates your team members and consider their work environments, time zones, and communication styles. This insight allows you to tailor team-building efforts that resonate with everyone, ensuring better engagement and participation.

Keep It Inclusive Inclusivity is key to successful team building. Design activities that are accessible and enjoyable for all team members, regardless of their location, personality, or cultural background. For distributed teams, this might mean offering virtual participation options or alternating the timing of events to accommodate different time zones. Avoid activities that rely heavily on specific skill sets, and instead focus on initiatives that bring out the strengths of every individual. An inclusive approach ensures that no one feels left out, fostering a stronger sense of belonging.

Start Small You don’t need elaborate plans to make an impact. Sometimes, the simplest initiatives can lay the foundation for a thriving team culture. Start with something easy, like creating a “fun facts” channel on Slack where team members can share personal trifles or launching bi-weekly virtual game sessions. These small efforts help teams connect informally, building trust and camaraderie over time. As these initiatives become regular, you can gradually introduce larger, more structured activities that align with your team’s growing needs.

And last but not least: don’t overthink it! Just do it (@nike) and you will surely enjoy some leisure time spent with your team! Have fun!

Here is a list of links to the games I mentioned in the article:

1. Gartic phone - https://garticphone.com/en
2. Scribbl.io - https://skribbl.io/
3. Songtrivia - https://songtrivia2.io/