Pickleball: A Game That Builds Better Teams
What if your next team-building activity could get people laughing, moving, competing and connecting, all without feeling like another work obligation?
That is part of the appeal of pickleball. Across Indiana and right here in Johnson County, the sport has become a popular way for people to get active and build community. It also happens to be a great way to bring coworkers together.
Pickleball creates an environment where titles and departments take a back seat. On the court, everyone is simply a teammate. Players have to communicate, make quick decisions, encourage one another and adjust their strategy as the game unfolds. Those same skills are valuable back at the office, especially for teams that may not regularly work together.
Chris Sears, Founder & CEO of Indianapolis Pickleball Club, has seen firsthand how the sport can bring people together. After participating in numerous team-building activities throughout his career, Sears believes pickleball offers something different.
“I’ve participated in a lot of team-building events throughout my career, and so many of them revolve around food, drinks, or activities that still somehow feel like work,” Sears said. “What makes pickleball different is that it gives you all the benefits of sport: competition, collaboration, communication, movement and fun, without the barriers that usually come with playing a sport.”
Sears also points to something that happens naturally when people step onto the court: you get to see a different side of your coworkers.
“I’ve always believed that sport brings out people’s real personalities,” he said. “You quickly see who’s competitive, who’s encouraging, who communicates, who takes the lead and who supports their teammates. That makes it an incredibly powerful way to connect with the people you work with.”
Tournaments take those benefits a step further. There is something different about working toward a common goal with your coworkers, especially when there is a little friendly competition involved. A tournament gives teams a shared experience they can talk about long after the final point, creating connections that can strengthen workplace culture.
And you do not have to be an experienced player to benefit. Pickleball is approachable for beginners while still offering plenty of strategy and competition for more experienced players.
“The beauty of pickleball is its accessibility,” Sears said. “Regardless of age, athletic ability or experience, we can teach almost anyone the game in 30 minutes and have them playing, strategizing and working together with a teammate.”
For Johnson County businesses, that makes pickleball an especially fitting team-building option. Our business community is built on relationships, collaboration and people showing up for one another. Getting employees out of the office and onto the court creates an opportunity to strengthen those relationships in a completely different setting.
“There really aren’t many activities that can bring a diverse group of people together that quickly while getting them moving, laughing, competing and genuinely connecting,” Sears said. “That’s what makes pickleball such a great team-building experience.”
Whether your team is competing for a championship, learning how to keep score or simply celebrating a good rally, the real win may be what happens between the points: stronger relationships, better communication and a team that knows how to have a little fun together.
That is what makes pickleball more than a game. It is a chance to build a better team, one rally at a time.