Team building activities in the year 2025 are going to look a bit different. Employees today are no longer having that much trust in their leaders, especially the CEOs.
This makes it hard for the teams and the leaders to build and strengthen their relationships better.
To the point, a 2024 Gallup report stated that nearly 70% of employees are more disconnected than they were a few years ago.
So, what’s happening? Why is trust declining, and how does that impact team building?
The Trust Problem: What’s Actually Happening?
The past five years have seen leadership trust decline by 15%. This change in employee attitudes is affecting teamwork.
As soon as trust begins to break down, it’s more difficult to get everyone working together as a cohesive unit.
With so many teams already working from home or in hybrid environments, the ability to build real connections has been compromised.
Buffer completed a survey in 2024 that found that 33% of remote employees felt disconnected from their teams. Trust is built through interaction, and, without that, relationships tend to feel superficial or tense.
The Evolution of Team Building Activities
More Transparent Discussions
In 2025, the emphasis has changed. Leaders are now making room for open, transparent discussions in team-building exercises. This is not just about icebreakers or trust falls anymore.
It’s about cutting to the core of what’s actually happening. Where are the pain points, and how can they be solved?
Hybrid & Virtual Experiences
With remote and hybrid work not going anywhere anytime soon, neither are the virtual team-building activities. But they’re not just your typical Zoom calls.
Companies are using tools like Miro or Slack to facilitate real-time collaboration in problem-solving and thinking games and exercises. The aim is to keep people connected, wherever they’re working from.
Emotional Intelligence Takes Center Stage
With trust at a low point, developing emotional intelligence (EQ) is now the number one goal in team building.
It’s not just about building technical skills anymore; it’s about training teams to listen better, negotiate conflicts with empathy, and be aware of each other’s emotional needs.
Leaders are looking for trained facilitators and coaches to guide their teams through these critical areas.
What Can Leaders Do Now?
- Be transparent. Begin by openly discussing the level of trust in your team. Avoid avoiding difficult conversations. Ask employees to express their concerns and work together to find solutions.
- Adapt for hybrid teams. Ensure that your team-building activities are inclusive, whether individuals are in the office or at home. Utilize virtual platforms that make everyone feel engaged and included.
- Build emotional intelligence. In addition to team-building activities, offer training in emotional intelligence. Whether through coaching or workshops, arm your team with the skills to handle their emotions and bond more meaningfully.
As we move into 2025, trust-building is crucial to having solid, harmonious teams.
Those organizations that implement these shifts, placing emphasis on transparency, emotional intelligence, and bringing inclusive activities in, will be the ones that forge true connection and eventually, success.
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