Looking for Some Fun Team Building Activities? Host a Work Talent Show! Here’s how…

how-to-host-a-work-talent-show

One of the most impressive things about the people I work with is the talent that they have outside of the workplace.  This is why a work talent show is one of my favorite team building activities.  I’ve worked with people who can sing, dance, perform magic, race cars, and build furniture out of wood and I believe that every organization can benefit from a work talent show and more team building exercises.

Rarely is what we do at our jobs the only thing we have a talent for.  And given all of this talent waiting to be unleashed, it makes sense to share it with a team building activity.  Not only do you get to see some great talent, you build a community, get to know each other, and have some fun in the workplace.

To host your own talent show, here’s what you can do:

How To Host A Work Talent Show


Step 1: Find the Talent

The first thing you want to do is find the talent at work–find out who has a hidden skill that can be showcased on stage.  While the guy I know at work who also races cars is great at what he does, it’s not exactly something he can do on stage.  So you want to find people who have a talent suitable for a talent show.

The easiest way to do this is to send out an email.  Simply send out a message asking for people who have a hidden talent and are interested in being a part of a fun, exciting and unique opportunity to build the work organization.  Example talents include: singing, dancing, rapping, poetry reading, acting, magician-ing, etc etc.  The more diverse talents, the better the show.

Step 2: Find the Venue

Once you know you have enough people for a talent show, find a venue.  The space should be big enough to seat your organization and give your performers enough room to do what you need to do.  Most of the time a large conference room (with the tables removed) or any place you normally hold site-wide meetings should be sufficient.

Step 3: Find the Date

Find a date where you can get the venue and where the majority of the talent can perform.  You generally want this date to be at least a month in advance to give your performers time to rehearse their talent, as well as for you to get your marketing done to get people excited for the upcoming show.

Step 4: Advertise the Show

After you have all of the details set, start advertising for the show.  You can start off with “teaser” emails that just reveal that something exciting is happening soon.  You can then send out any clips some of the performers may have, or brief excerpts from readings they might do.

Two weeks prior to the event, start posting fliers in the common areas for people to see.  Make sure to talk about the event to people during lunch and while passing them in the hall–you want to create a buzz that this is going to be a fun event.

Step 5: Let the Show Begin

When the day comes, simply just follow a pre-defined plan for how the show will go–what order people will perform in, what you’ll do in between acts, whether you’ll have judges or an audience meter, if there will be prizes etc.  Then sit back and enjoy the show.

Why are Work Talent Shows so popular?

Talent show are so popular because it gives people an opportunity to showcase another side of themselves.  These sorts of team building activities allow employees to experience the benefits of being a celebrity (and who knows where it could lead!)  Also, these team building events can bring us back to fond memories of our childhood, when we used to watch Talent Shows and Contests on TV with our family and friends.

What team building exercises work the best?

While hosting a Talent Show takes some organization and initiative from a variety of people, the stronger community, work/life balance, and work satisfaction is definitely worth it.  We feel a talent show is one of the best team building exercises.  Not only do you get to take a day and have some fun, but people get to express themselves creatively and work together as a team. Think a planned talent show requires too much planning up front?  Try an improvised talent show instead.  If you want to learn more team building exercises, check out our blogposts team building activities that are not awful and team building activities for virtual teams!

THIS FREE 129 SECOND QUIZ WILL SHOW YOU

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7 thoughts on “Looking for Some Fun Team Building Activities? Host a Work Talent Show! Here’s how…”

  1. NICOLE LEMIEUX

    im a host for a talent show and my teacher says i need to interact while kids are performing. any ideas

  2. Hey Fran–there’s a number of things that you could do for a talent show; think about what you enjoy and how it can be used as a talent. Humor can also do very well in talent shows so even if you aren’t great at the talent you do, but you have fun with it and sell it confidently, you have a good chance of success.

    Here are some ideas to get you started, however the best talent is going to be based on you. Feel free to contact me for more or to explore some ideas specific to you and your event:
    * Try a stand-up comedy routine
    * Grab another person and try some improv.
    * Perform a skit.
    * Read a monologue, could be dramatic or funny.
    * Play an instrument.

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