REAL TIME BENEFITS OF DRUMMING FOR TEAM BUILDING
Drumming is being recognised in its own right as an effective team building activity. Many studies now support its positive impact on collaboration, communication and group cohesion. Here are some key reasons why drumming in circle when guided by professional facilitators can be an excellent team building activity.
1. Improves Communication
Study Insight: A study published in the journal Psychology of Music (2014) suggests that group drumming enhances non-verbal communication and listening skills, which are essential for effective teamwork. Drumming requires participants to synchronize their rhythms and actively listen to one another, creating a shared sense of responsibility and mutual engagement.
Why It Works: Drumming helps participants improve both verbal and non-verbal communication. The act of responding to rhythms and cues from others naturally encourages attentiveness and interaction, fostering deeper connections and understanding among team members.
2. Fosters Collaboration and Trust
Study Insight: Research from the International Journal of Music Education (2016) found that group drumming increases social bonding and trust. In a group drumming setting, participants must rely on each other to maintain rhythm and timing. This sense of interdependence encourages team members to build trust and work together toward a common goal.
Why It Works: Drumming is a highly collaborative activity where everyone’s contribution is vital to the success of the rhythm. This reliance on one another helps build trust and emphasizes the importance of collective effort over individual performance.
3. Promotes Emotional Expression and Empathy
Study Insight: A study published in Frontiers in Psychology (2017) demonstrated that rhythm-based group activities, including drumming, promote emotional synchronization and empathy among participants. The shared experience of playing music together helps people connect emotionally, increasing understanding and compassion within teams.
Why It Works: Music and rhythm allow individuals to express themselves in ways that words cannot always convey. This emotional connection can lead to greater empathy and emotional intelligence within the group, improving overall team dynamics.
4. Reduces Stress and Enhances Focus
Study Insight: According to research in the Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology (2013), engaging in group drumming has been shown to lower cortisol levels (a marker of stress) and improve mood. This reduction in stress can lead to better concentration and increased mental clarity, which is beneficial in a team setting.
Why It Works: Drumming promotes relaxation and helps team members manage stress, leading to better focus and higher productivity. When individuals are less stressed, they are more likely to engage positively with others and work effectively as part of a team.
5. Enhances Group Cohesion and Unity
Study Insight: The concept of "entrainment"—where individuals synchronise their movements or behaviours with others—has been explored in multiple studies, including one in Human Movement Science (2003). In group drumming, entrainment occurs naturally as participants synchronise their rhythms which helps create a sense of unity and connection within the group.
Why It Works: The physical and emotional synchronisation that occurs during group drumming fosters a sense of cohesion and unity. As team members harmonize their actions and rhythms, they experience a shared identity, which strengthens group bonds and boosts team morale.
6. Increases Creativity and Problem-Solving
Study Insight: A study published in Thinking Skills and Creativity (2018) found that group drumming exercises encourage creative thinking and adaptive problem solving skills. As drummers are often required to respond to changing rhythms and cues, they develop a heightened ability to think quickly and creatively in the moment.
Why It Works: Drumming encourages improvisation and spontaneity, which stimulates creativity. The unpredictability of the activity and the need to adapt to shifting rhythms mirrors real-world problem solving scenarios, allowing teams to practice flexibility and creative collaboration.
7. Strengthens Leadership and Accountability
Study Insight: A study in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal (2015) showed that activities like group drumming, which require shared leadership roles, can help develop leadership skills. Participants take turns leading sections of the drum circle, which fosters leadership, accountability and the ability to motivate and guide others.
Why It Works: In a group drumming setting, leadership is not fixed; instead, it is shared among participants. This rotating leadership model helps team members develop leadership skills and encourages a sense of accountability to the group, as each person is responsible for their part in the rhythm.
8. Promotes Positive Group Dynamics
Study Insight: The Journal of Applied Behavioural Science (2012) found that rhythmic group activities like drumming can positively influence group dynamics by reducing negative behaviours and fostering cooperation. Drumming naturally requires a balance of structure and flexibility, teaching teams to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining a unified goal.
Why It Works: The group nature of drumming helps individuals step outside of their usual roles and behaviours. In a team-building context, this can promote cooperation, reduce hierarchical barriers, and encourage a more egalitarian and inclusive group dynamic.
Drumming is a powerful team building activity because it taps into the collective energy of a group while enhancing communication, trust, creativity and emotional connection.
Studies support the idea that group drumming fosters a sense of unity, reduces stress, and promotes cooperation; all of which are essential for effective teamwork. Whether for small teams or larger organisations, drumming offers a fun and dynamic way to strengthen group bonds and improve team performance.