How to organize team building activities for women

What comes to your mind when you think of team building activities for women? If your answer consists of games built on gender stereotypes, we encourage you to think again. 

The goal of team building is to create a team with strong bonds and connections. And you cannot do that if you endorse stereotypes. Instead, you can organize meaningful activities and ensure everyone has equal opportunities.

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Women face many issues in the workplace

A 2021 study examined gender bias in team building activities in China. The findings show that men were more likely to get good peer assessments than women. McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2022 Report also states that it is more difficult for women leaders to advance than men leaders. 

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For a truly gender-equal workplace, it is crucial to keep these reports and statistics in mind. No matter what their gender is, all your teammates must know about the biases in the workplace. Raising awareness is possible through team building activities, engagement tools, and employee appreciation. But it’s important to take the right steps.

Most team building activities for women reaffirm stereotypes

Your intentions might be innocent while you research team building activities for women's groups. But cutesy team building games such as what’s in my purse or office make-up sessions won’t empower women or make them feel seen. 

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Building a team culture doesn’t happen overnight; it needs time and commitment. You need to curate your team building activities carefully for them to contribute to an inclusive team. If you use the right tools, you can get tailor-made team building ideas and improve your employee engagement. 

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Alternative team building activities to empower women

It is possible to find team building activities that your female colleagues will like without reproducing stereotypes. You can include your whole team in some of these activities and focus on your women colleagues for others.

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1. Recognize the critical role of women with an Appreciation Shower

Recent findings show that women invest more time and resources into supporting DEI causes and employee well-being than their male counterparts. This is important work that often gets overlooked, leading to higher numbers of burnout and job dissatisfaction. 

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If you don't have a system in place to show your team they matter, now is the time to do so. You can start by having an Appreciation Shower. Let everyone express what makes working with each other meaningful in a heartfelt yet fun setting. Give it a try on Gomada. 

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2. Play team building games that address biases instead of endorsing them

If you want to build an equal workspace, everyone must be aware of gender biases. Here are some free team building activities for all the adults that are part of your team.

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‍I am, but I am not…

‍In this game, your colleagues will form phrases to express misconceptions about themselves.

Prompt examples: 

• I am a young woman, but I am not naive.
• I am a single woman, but I am not lonely.
  
  

Never Have I Ever…

‍This is one of the classics where players share their previous experiences by using the prompt “never have I ever.” Although it’s more commonly used as an icebreaker, you can add more rules to turn it into a discussion about the workplace. For inspiration on prompts, you can ask colleagues to reference recent reports on women at work.

Prompt examples: 

• Never have I ever been paid less than a colleague. 
• Never have I ever received a promotion within one year of starting a new job.

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Life away from the office

‍According to McKinsey, many women have experienced not getting a job or a promotion because of their personal lives — for example, getting pregnant or becoming a parent. As a result, women feel less comfortable sharing their personal challenges with their colleagues. Life away from the office is a short game that allows you to create a safe space. Thanks to this, your team will be encouraged to share more and build trust.

Prompt examples: 

• The highlight of my week was…
• My dream holiday destination is…

3. Celebrate women’s history month and women’s day

Did you know that there is a Twitter bot that outed companies that celebrated International Women’s Day, although they paid women less than men? Before you celebrate women’s history month and women’s day, make sure that what you do matches what you say. If you’re all set, here are some ways to celebrate:

• Show appreciation to the women in your team by using employee recognition tools.
  With recognition tools, you can strengthen your team and create opportunities for bonding between your female colleagues. If you’re unsure how to do this, you can consider checking out some dedicated platforms.
• Send a gift, a gift card, or a thank you note.
  If you don’t have a gift idea, gift cards are your safe option.
• Donate to women’s organizations in the name of your female colleagues.
  Making a donation to a charity or an NGO is a meaningful gift for women’s history month.

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4. Set up a mentorship scheme and provide networking opportunities for women

48% of women leaders switch jobs because they are not satisfied with the advancement opportunities in their company. Besides, more and more women are prioritizing flexibility in 2023. What is the situation like in your company?  

By setting up mentorship groups, you can increase your colleagues’ job satisfaction and engagement. They will learn new skills and advance in their job. Connecting with others is also important. You can encourage your colleagues to join networking groups, where they can learn from more senior women or give advice to more junior women.

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