Joe Garland from Eventurous talks team building and how it’s evolving.
Owned by Joe and Joanna Garland, Eventurous is a full-service events agency with over 30 years of experience in facilitating team building events and activities. It helps companies with everything from energising away-days and icebreakers to immersive experiences for groups of 10 to 10,000+ that are designed to build a more collaborative workforce.
“Team building has evolved from being a one-off morale boost of ‘forced fun’ outdoors to a deliberate way of strengthening how teams actually work together,” explains Joe. “With hybrid working and constant change, it’s now about building trust, alignment, and psychological safety – not just bringing people together in the same room.”
As team building continues to evolve into a more standard practice, Joe has noticed a rise in certain trends as well as a dip in some more traditional formats: “There’s a clear shift towards purpose-led experiences that align with business goals. Shorter, high-impact sessions and activities that combine engagement with reflection are growing in popularity. At the same time, overly competitive or ‘one-size-fits-all’ formats are becoming far less appealing. Sustainability is also a core focus for events with an eye on things such as reusable resources, less travel, and digital solutions.”
Despite its surge in popularity, Joe believes there are still misconceptions surrounding team building: “People often think that it has to be loud, competitive, or uncomfortable to be effective. In reality, the most impactful experiences are inclusive, well-designed, and relevant to real workplace dynamics where everyone can contribute.”
Creating these inclusive spaces for employees to participate in can support your company’s DEI goals: “Inclusive team building is designed so everyone can participate meaningfully, regardless of their background or ability. It encourages different voices, highlights diverse strengths, and helps teams practice inclusive behaviours rather than just talk about them.
“If collaboration, communication, or trust are weak, performance suffers. Team building is a strategic investment because it directly supports productivity, engagement, and resilience – particularly during periods of growth or change,” says Joe, expressing why team building should be considered a strategic investment rather than just a ‘nice-to-have’.
“When treated as a strategic investment, organisations often see stronger relationships and clearer communication which leads to more confident collaboration. A shared experience gives teams a common language and reference point which helps reinforce company values and strengthens culture long after the event has happened.
“When people understand each other better, they work together more efficiently. Effective team building reduces friction and builds a sense of belonging – proven drivers of retention. People are far more likely to stay where they feel connected and valued!”
Joe also believes that team building should stop being treated as a standalone event: “The greatest impact comes when it’s linked to wider organisational people and culture strategies with clear objectives and follow-up, so the learning carries through into everyday working life.”