Pecan’s co-founder, Ella Overshott recently shared an article which asks the question ‘have we forgotten the importance of team-building in our haste to ‘get things done’?

In the article, Ella explores the evolution of team-building, referencing Tuckman’s forming, storming, norming, performing model, which has been central to team development for decades. While team-building was once a core focus in workplaces, the pandemic disrupted in-person interactions, and post-pandemic, many organisations have not prioritised it. Despite this, building strong team relationships remains crucial, as “relationship with team members” and “relationship with line managers” are key factors in employee engagement, especially with the rise of hybrid work.

Effective team-building provides significant benefits such as increased engagement, improved mental health, higher retention, and better productivity. However, it is often overlooked due to competing priorities. The article suggests that teams should focus on core elements like clear goals, roles, trust, and psychological safety, with minimal time investment—usually one to two days initially and one day per quarter—leading to substantial improvements in performance and team cohesion. These efforts foster a sense of belonging and connection, making team-building experiences memorable and impactful for everyone involved.