Team Building

NIH research shows escape rooms are effective at team building Trapped as a Group Escape as a Team for corporate or sports teams. Successful escapes require communication and teamwork in a fun environment that yields a sense of accomplishment. Employers get the opportunity to analyze the critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills of their employees in a pressure situation. The New York Post says Companies can't seem to get enough of the escape room as a team-building exercise Does your team have what it takes?

Teamwork

Noted Corporate Team Expert Patrick M. Lencioni author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable says team building must work to overcome:

  • Absence of trust
  • Fear of conflict
  • Lack of commitment
  • Avoidance of responsibility
  • Inattention to results

Work or sports teams can greatly benefit from escape room team building. In order to maximize results a coach or team leader should either assign or act in the following roles. These may be fulfilled by a senior team leader. It may be one person or may be assigned individually.

Comm Coordinator 

This role acts as a coordinator for communication and ensures information is shared among everyone. A clue found in one part of the room may relate to something someone else found. Clear communication to the team will ensure better collaboration.

Clue Coordinator 

Get stuck? ERBCS may provide a limited number of clues to help players along. The clue coordinator gains consensus among the team to use one of their remaining clues when progress is stalled.


Time Manager 

This role keeps an eye on time remaining especially if the room has milestones. It's very important to make sure your team is making progress. If there's a lull the time manager suggests a clue or focuses the group on the most likely puzzle to be solved next.

An escape room outing may help people work together efficiently by encouraging better collaboration and communication. Team building exercises like Escape Room BCS will help your company by giving you a better idea of which skills to develop.

Watch the NBC news team building segment Companies turn to "escape rooms" for team-building

How To Effectively Work Together To Escape!

  1. Don't just stand there! There are clues all over the room - look around - look in drawers and under things. You do not have to disassemble anything but clues could be anywhere. If it is meant to be twisted, or turned, try it.
  2. Share your findings. Talk to your teammates - also listen to your teammates.
  3. It's OK to be wrong. There are red-herrings in the room. Try to recognize dead ends. If a puzzle seems impossibly complex you're probably on the wrong path.
  4. Ask! If you're not making progress at all use one of your clues!
  5. Set milestones. Watch your time.
  6. Have fun!
  7. Discuss afterwards. Who was most effective at directing? Who had the best ideas? Who was the person with the best focus who was not distracted or sidetracked?