Collaborative or Competitive: Reading a Small Team

With twenty participants, the people matter more than the activity. Before you choose a format, spend a few minutes thinking about who will be in the room and what you want them to take away.

A single, close-knit department

If the group already works together every day, a collaborative format usually works best. A cooking challenge, an escape room or a creative project builds connection without setting colleagues against each other. The goal is a shared win, not a ranking.

Mixed departments or levels

If you are bringing together people who rarely meet, a structured competition breaks down silos well. An Amazing Race, carnival games or a quiz gives strangers a common goal and a reason to talk. Mix departments and seniority within each team so connections form across the usual lines.

Balancing personalities

• Spread natural leaders across teams so no single team dominates.

• Pair quieter colleagues with roles that suit them, such as navigator or scorekeeper.

• Avoid putting a manager with their entire direct reporting line in one team.

• Make sure physical challenges have alternatives for anyone who prefers to sit out.

Borrowing from roundtable formats

Corporate roundtable events work because everyone has a seat and a voice. You can borrow that idea for a small team building day. After the activity, gather the group around one table and ask a few open questions: what surprised them, who they worked well with, and one thing they will try at work. Twenty is the ideal size for this; everyone can speak without the session dragging.

Setting the tone in advance

Tell participants the format, dress code and whether there will be a meal. For a competitive format, a little advance teasing builds anticipation. For a collaborative one, emphasise that the aim is fun and connection, not winning.

Get Out! Events provides a dedicated facilitator who manages team dynamics on the day, from the arrival briefing to the closing debrief.

About this guide: Small Team Building for Twenty People is written and maintained by Get Out! Events, a Singapore corporate event company at 14 Robinson Road #08-01A, Singapore 048545. It contains general planning guidance only; confirm current venue rules, permits and partner requirements before you book anything.