Fun Should Bring Us Together, Not Drive Us Apart

We all want a workplace buzzing with laughter, energy, and collaboration. That’s why, at Wildgoose, we’ve spent more than 20 years designing team activities that do more than just tick a box. But along the way, we’ve seen a curious phenomenon: when participation is forced, it can do the opposite of what you might expect. Instead of lifting spirits, it can chip away at morale. We call this the Participation Paradox, and it’s something we’re passionate about addressing.

Have you ever felt the pressure to "have fun" during a team activity, only to end up feeling disconnected or even resentful? You’re not alone—most people would rather choose how they join in than feel obligated. Our mission at Wildgoose is to replace forced fun with genuine engagement, making sure every team member finds their own way to contribute and enjoy the experience.

Why Forced Participation Misses the Mark

Over the years, we’ve worked with thousands of professionals across the globe. One lesson stands out time and again: authentic engagement can’t be manufactured with mandatory games or scripted icebreakers. When organisations push every person into the same team-building mould, enthusiasm fades (and sometimes, so does trust).

We’ve witnessed how forced fun can:

• Erode trust between colleagues, especially when people feel singled out or uncomfortable
• Undermine confidence, making quieter or introverted team members clam up rather than join in
• Stall creativity, because participation becomes performative rather than purposeful

We see participation as more than just presence—it’s about truly connecting, contributing, and sharing ideas. When activities feel like an obligation, it’s easy to see why a sense of belonging gets lost.

Fostering True Engagement: Our Approach

So how do we avoid the Participation Paradox? At Wildgoose, we believe that the magic happens when people have the freedom to engage on their own terms. That’s why we’ve created a flexible platform with dozens of interactive templates for team building, onboarding, and training—each one designed to be customisable, accessible, and fun for everyone.

Here’s what drives our approach:

Flexibility for Every Personality
Some people light up in high-energy competitions, while others shine working quietly behind the scenes. Our platform supports a wide variety of activities, from lively scavenger hunts to creative problem-solving. With options for in-person, remote, and hybrid teams, participation never feels out of reach.

Customisation Means True Buy-In
Teams love making activities their own. Our platform allows complete custom branding and task creation, so organisations can align experiences with their own culture and values. When people see that what they’re doing matters—and that it reflects who they are—buy-in skyrockets.

Hands-on Learning for Real Retention
We’ve learned that people remember what they experience, not just what they hear. Our activities are built for hands-on learning, encouraging experimentation and creative thinking. Teams become more comfortable collaborating, which helps new skills stick.

Tips for Avoiding the Participation Paradox

With over 5,500 activities designed and delivered each year, we’ve fine-tuned some guiding principles that help teams move beyond obligatory fun into meaningful connections:

• Offer Choices, Not Ultimatums
  Let people opt into activities that interest them. If someone prefers observing over competing, that’s their strength in action.
• Mix Up Activity Styles
  Rotate between quizzes, creative challenges, physical adventures, and reflective sessions. No single format fits every employee.
• Encourage Collaboration Over Competition
  While a little rivalry can energise an event, collaboration builds long-term bonds. Team challenges that require shared problem-solving foster trust.
• Keep It Purposeful
  Start each activity with a clear objective. Whether it’s welcoming new hires or sparking creative thinking, intentionality ensures the experience feels relevant.
• Gather Feedback—Then Actually Use It
  Check in with participants after events. What worked? What felt awkward? We’re always adapting our templates based on feedback, because continuous improvement keeps engagement high.

Real Teams, Real Results

What does an unforced, engaging team activity look like in action? We see it every day in feedback from our clients and users worldwide.

One global tech company chose our seasonal event template for their remote onboarding initiative. Rather than instructing everyone to participate, they invited people to select from several themed challenges, each with different goals. The result? New hires rated the experience as "welcoming and relaxed," and reported feeling connected from day one.

Another team used custom branding and task creation to mirror their organisation’s values. Because participants could contribute ideas for tasks in advance, engagement rose dramatically—and, unexpectedly, individuals from different departments forged lasting professional friendships.

Through thousands of sessions and hundreds of thousands of participants, we’ve witnessed the difference genuine choice and inclusivity make. The outcome always echoes the same core message: when people feel seen and heard, morale, cohesion, and creativity soar.

How MAKE Makes Engagement Effortless

If you’re planning your next onboarding session or rethinking the way your team connects, we make it easy to design experiences everyone can enjoy (https://make.wearewildgoose.com/). Our intuitive platform allows you to:

• Select from a wide range of ready-made templates or build your own
• Customise branding and activities to reflect your company culture
• Set up experiences quickly, whether your team is together in the office or halfway around the world
• Scale events for small teams or groups of thousands
• Access AI-driven inspiration for new challenges and tasks along the way

Because every workplace is different, we give you the tools to craft activities that fit your unique needs—no forced fun required. You know your team best, and we’re here to help you celebrate what makes them special.

Bring Joy (Not Obligation) to Your Team

We believe team activities should be something everyone genuinely looks forward to. When fun is chosen, not imposed, it builds lasting connections and energises your workplace. Let us help you avoid the Participation Paradox once and for all—with tailored, engaging experiences that spark curiosity, laughter, and success.

Ready to plan your next memorable team event? Explore our platform (https://make.wearewildgoose.com/) and bring authentic engagement to your workplace today.