How ‘Giving’ Builds Resilience
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September 11, 2025
Discover three ways to build resilience through the act of giving to others.
When some people hear “team building,” they brace themselves for icebreakers, trust falls, or an afternoon of activities that don’t feel relevant to real work. But team building is evolving. The best leaders now see it as a chance to help their people grow, not just pass the time.
Building Resilience
One of the most overlooked outcomes of meaningful team building is resilience. When teams engage in activities that involve giving — whether building something for others or solving a problem that directly improves lives — they build perspective.
Research from Harvard shows that people who give their time and energy to others report higher levels of wellbeing and lower levels of stress. Acts of ‘giving’ change how we process setbacks. Instead of dwelling on difficulties, we become better at reframing challenges and bouncing back.
In a team setting, this effect is amplified. Shared giving experiences help colleagues see each other as more than job titles. They bond over values, empathy, and shared effort. That foundation of trust makes it easier to weather workplace pressures together.
Here are three ways to build resilience through giving:
- Create perspective. Choose projects that show participants how their efforts make a difference. It’s hard to sweat the small stuff after you’ve helped solve a life-changing challenge.
- Celebrate shared effort. Resilience isn’t about going it alone. When teams overcome something together, they learn that strength is collective.
- Reflect on growth. After the activity, invite people to talk about how they overcame challenges during the experience and how those lessons apply at work.
Traditional team building is giving way to something more powerful. Instead of short-lived games, leaders are using purpose-led activities to instil resilience that lasts long after the away day ends.
Book a Team Build
If you’d like to explore how giving could help your team build resilience, or if you’d just like some inspiration for your next event, get in touch.
Until next time,
Lightbulb Teams