Automating Team Building – Moving Beyond the Activities

Many will have experienced the classic “team building” exercise: an escape room, a ropes course, maybe even building a bridge out of popsicle sticks. In one of my past roles, I even organized a domino challenge where teams had to create interconnected layouts representing our organization. It was fun, and people enjoyed themselves — but my Director never let me live it down. Maybe they were kidding, but it highlighted a real question: when teamwork is treated as a one-time event, do it benefits truly carry into everyday operations?

In aviation, teamwork can’t be an occasional exercise — it must be the default operating system. The question isn’t how do we build teams through activities? but rather how do we embed teamwork into culture so it becomes second nature?

1. From Events to Everyday Practices

Teamwork can’t live in a retreat agenda. It has to live in the day-to-day. That means building practices that naturally connect people across roles and departments: daily shift briefings, structured debriefs after incidents or projects, and routine cross-functional check-ins. These practices keep everyone aligned without requiring special occasions. Newcomers don’t have to “earn” their way into the team — they’re integrated through shared routines from day one.

2. Build a Foundation of Safety and Trust

Psychological safety is critical in aviation organizations. If staff don’t feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, or admitting mistakes, real teamwork will never take root. Leaders need to model vulnerability, reward collaboration, and ensure mistakes become learning opportunities rather than sources of blame. When people know their voice matters, they are more likely to step up for each other.

3. Align Teams Around Purpose

Teamwork without purpose feels forced. Teamwork with purpose feels natural. Aviation organizations that do this well continually reinforce the “why”: safety, reliability, and serving the traveling public. When every team member — from ground handlers to executives — sees how their role contributes to that mission, teamwork stops being about “getting along” and becomes about shared responsibility for outcomes.

Conclusion

Airports and aviation organizations don’t need domino challenges, escape rooms, or ropes courses to build teams (unless you really want them!). What they need is a culture where teamwork is automatic: built into practices, reinforced by leaders, and aligned with mission.

At Acclivix, we help organizations close the gap between activity and culture. If you’re ready to move beyond team-building exercises and create a workplace where teamwork is second nature, let’s connect today.