Friday, March 7, 2025
Alice Moustier

Team building activities to improve communication and teamwork

Effective communication is the key to a successful team. In today's world of work, where many teams work remotely or are made up of different cultures, the importance of good communication is becoming increasingly important. Team building activities can help to break down communication barriers and create an open, productive atmosphere. Neurodiverse employees in particular benefit from clear communication structures and targeted exercises, as they often have special communication needs.

The importance of team communication

Communication is at the heart of every successful collaboration. Without clear communication, misunderstandings, conflicts and inefficient work processes arise. Particularly when working with autistic people, employees such as those from SAP or Auticon in Germany have said that they benefited greatly when they learnt to communicate clearly and directly, not between the lines and without irony.

Why effective communication matters

Effective communication promotes productivity and mutual understanding. Teams that communicate effectively are able to solve problems faster and complete projects more efficiently. Neurodiverse employees in particular, such as highly gifted individuals or people with ADHD, benefit from clear lines of communication as they often tend to recognise complex relationships quickly but struggle to make them understandable to others.

Common communication challenges in the workplace

Misunderstandings, lack of feedback and different communication styles often lead to problems. For neurodiverse people, such as autistic people, non-verbal signals can be harder to interpret, creating further barriers. Team building activities help to bridge these differences and build understanding.

Benefits of team building activities

Team building activities offer numerous benefits that go far beyond improving communication. They promote cohesion, trust and understanding for each other.

Why effective communication in teams is important

Effective communication promotes productivity and mutual understanding. Teams that communicate effectively are able to solve problems faster and complete projects more efficiently. Neurodiverse employees in particular, such as highly gifted individuals or people with ADHD, benefit from clear lines of communication, as they often tend to recognize complex relationships quickly but have difficulty making them understandable to others.

Common communication challenges in the workplace

Misunderstandings, lack of feedback and different communication styles often lead to problems. For neurodiverse people, such as autistic people, non-verbal signals can be harder to interpret, creating further barriers. Team building activities help to bridge these differences and build understanding.

Benefits of team building activities

Team building activities offer numerous benefits that go far beyond improving communication. They promote cohesion, trust and understanding of each other.

Enhancing communication skills

Activities such as role-playing or communication games can promote active listening and the ability to express oneself clearly. For neurodiverse employees, such exercises are particularly helpful in strengthening their social and communication skills.

Building trust and collaboration

Trust is the basis of any successful collaboration. Shared experiences in team building activities create bonds and help to break down barriers. This is especially important for neurodiverse employees who often have difficulty integrating into social groups.

Boosting engagement and morale

Fun and creative exercises increase motivation and morale in the team. Neurodiverse employees often come up with unusual ideas, which makes such exercises even more exciting.

Top team building activities to improve communication

Here are some practical communication activities that are great for improving team dynamics:

Activity 1: Two truths and a lie

  • Description: Each team member shares three statements about themselves - two of them are true, one is a lie. The others have to recognize the lie.
  • Benefit: This exercise encourages active listening and strengthens understanding of colleagues' personalities. For neurodiverse employees, this can help to better understand social interactions.

Activity 2: Marshmallow Challenge

  • Description: Teams build the tallest structure out of spaghetti, tape and a marshmallow.
  • Benefits: Promotes creativity, problem solving and collaboration. Highly talented employees often come up with unusual solutions.

Activity 3: Feedback round

  • Description: Each team member gives positive and constructive feedback to other team members.
  • Benefit: Promotes open feedback and strengthens trust in the team. It is important for neurodiverse employees to receive clear and structured feedback.

How to implement team-building activities effectively

For team building activities to be successful, they should be well planned and facilitated.

Choosing the right activities

Consider the needs of the team. For teams with neurodiverse employees, structured exercises are sometimes more suitable than spontaneous activities, but some neurodiverse employees like spontaneity. Make sure that the activities take into account the communication styles of all participants.

Setting clear goals

Define in advance what you want to achieve with the activities. Do you want to improve communication, strengthen trust or promote cohesion?
It is important for neurodiverse employees to have clear expectations.

Facilitating and debriefing

Good facilitation ensures that all team members are involved. The findings can be reflected on and recorded in the debriefing. Neurodiverse people in particular benefit from clear instructions and feedback.

Tips for sustaining improved communication

Team building activities should not be a one-off event, but should be carried out regularly.

Regular practice

Incorporate activities into the daily work routine on a regular basis. This will keep the communication skills of all team members at a high level.

Fostering an open communication culture

Create an environment where feedback is welcome and opinions are respected. It's important for neurodiverse employees to feel safe to express their thoughts. And it is important for managers to learn that criticism from neurodiverse employees is not directed at them, but is only meant as a suggestion for improvement. But it is also important for them to communicate clearly if they feel attacked by criticism.

Leveraging professional support

Communication training by experts can help to overcome specific challenges.
Neurodiverse individuals particularly benefit from targeted communication training that takes their individual strengths into account.


Team-building activities are an effective way of improving communication within a team. Especially in teams with neurodiverse employees, they help to strengthen understanding, trust and cooperation.
Use these activities to create an open and productive team culture. We will be happy to support you. Get in touch with us!

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