Love team building activities or hate them, having inclusive team building sessions isn’t just a nice idea, it’s essential for building a team where everyone feels valued, comfortable, and able to participate. Too often, team building is planned around what’s easy or traditional rather than what works for everyone.

One common example is the classic team get together down the pub. While some people enjoy this, it might not be a comfortable environment for everyone. Some team members may not drink alcohol, may have caring responsibilities, religious reasons, social anxiety, or simply prefer quieter environments. If team building always happens in the same type of setting, some people may feel excluded without ever saying anything.

A good starting point for inclusive team building is variety. Instead of always choosing the same activity, rotate between different types of events. For example, you could organise:

• A team lunch or breakfast
• A walk in a local park
• A quiz or games session in the office
• Volunteering as a team
• Creative workshops like painting or pottery
• Escape rooms or problem-solving challenges
• Coffee and cake catch-ups
  
  

Another important tip is to ask the team what they actually want. A quick anonymous survey can help managers understand preferences, accessibility needs, and times that work best for people. You might find that some people prefer activities during work hours rather than evenings, especially those with families or long commutes.

Managers should also think about accessibility and cost. Make sure venues are accessible, avoid activities that require high fitness levels unless there are alternatives, and never make people pay to attend a team event. Team building should feel like an opportunity, not an obligation or financial burden.

It’s also important to make participation optional but encouraged. No one should feel pressured to attend something that makes them uncomfortable, but they should still feel included in the team even if they don’t attend every event.

Inclusive team building is really about one simple idea: if the same people always come and the same people always don’t, it’s time to change the approach.When activities are varied, accessible, and chosen with the whole team in mind, people are far more likely to feel welcome, included, and part of the team.


PS If you want to stimulate your brain outside of the workplace, check out the Philosopher-in-Residence blog – out fortnightly on Thursdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Principal Planner, Anna Pascoe. Browse the latest edition ON WESSEX - Make Me A Plan