How to Dress for Your Upcoming Outdoor Team Building Event
Team building events are great for employers and employees alike. Employers get a chance to see how individuals work with one another when they’re not doing their typical duties. For example, the quiet person who works alone most of the time can turn into a leader when grouped with other people to complete a shared goal. This is a benefit for the employee as well, as it lets their employer see qualities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Plus, even the most introverted employees find themselves having a good time during team-building events, and the summer season provides a perfect opportunity to engage everyone. If you’re planning or participating in an outdoor team-building event, you’ll want to make sure you look professional while keeping cool. Here are our recommendations for what to wear.
For the Annual Company Picnic
Company picnics are standing traditions for many businesses. While employees may see these events as opportunities to socialize and mingle, they also have team-building elements to them. For example, you may have a group of employees responsible for organizing the event or helping with games and food. Those activities often require working as a team. You may also have team games like volleyball or softball as one of the events. When it comes to the matter of what to wear, think of the activities you’re most likely to be involved with at the event. Will you be the person involved in all the sporting events? Then a T-shirt and shorts are just fine. Or will you be entertaining prospective clients and using the picnic as a casual networking event? In that case, you may want to opt for one of your company polo shirts with khaki shorts—a combination that looks casual without trying too hard to look professional.
For an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are popular options for team-building activities these days. You may even find a company online that can organize one for you. It’s easy enough to do yourself, though, and there are even apps that you and your employees can use for the activity. It essentially involves small groups of individuals working together to solve clues. Each clue leads to the next, so if you don’t get one clue, you’re stuck. That means you have to work together until you find the solution. These types of activities give managers some interesting insight into how employees work together, and it’s easy to see who the leaders are and who the quiet, strategic thinkers are when put under this type of pressure. Regarding what to wear, the good thing about a scavenger hunt is that you can wear whatever you normally wear to work. One exception would be comfortable shoes for all the walking and even running you may do to get from one clue to the next. Additionally, if there are sprinkles in the forecast, a raincoat might be helpful as well.
For Your Company 5K
When business leaders started realizing the benefits of employee wellness, 5k runs and walks became popular team-building events. Businesses that organize these successfully typically get employees to donate money toward a shared goal, like a specific dollar amount for charity. Looking good after running a 5k is easier said than done, but there are things you can do to make sure you look presentable even after breaking a sweat. For example, you can wear the branded uniform T-shirt while walking and running, then change into a spare shirt and shorts afterward. Keep in mind that most people will just keep on what they wore during the 5k, however, and you’re expected to look a little disheveled afterward!
For Your Outdoor Volunteer Event
Studies have shown that people who volunteer in their communities feel better about themselves. While this is a big plus for employees, it also benefits the businesses they work for since both are seen as an important part of the community when they give back. Businesses also benefit from increased employee retention, as today’s workers want to work for a company that makes a difference. While volunteering together outdoors, you’ll want to dress casually if you’re doing any cleanup activities or working in a community garden, for example. Casual attire is totally fine for this, as long as it isn’t ripped or dirty and isn’t too revealing. You’ll want each team member to be wearing something that matches, however, to show that you’re a team. A company hat fills two needs: spreading brand awareness and protecting employees from the sun.
Overall, it isn’t about what you wear as much as it’s about what you get out of it, but looking smart while feeling comfortable is a nice bonus at your upcoming outdoor team-building event.