Escape Rooms for Team Building: How Companies Are Using Them to Improve Workplace Dynamics
In today’s fast-paced corporate world, fostering strong communication, trust, and collaboration among teams isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. As companies search for more effective (and fun) ways to strengthen workplace dynamics, one unexpected solution has emerged as a standout: escape rooms.
Once seen primarily as a recreational activity, escape rooms are now making their mark in corporate settings. Businesses across industries are discovering that these immersive, puzzle-solving experiences offer far more than just a good time, they build better teams.
At Narrow Escape Rooms in Penrith, Western Sydney, we’ve seen firsthand how companies are transforming their culture one escape room at a time. In this post, we’ll explore why escape rooms are becoming a go-to tool for team building and share insights from real business leaders who’ve seen the positive impact.
Why Escape Rooms Work for Team Building Activities
Unlike traditional team-building exercises—which can often feel forced or overly structured—escape rooms offer organic, engaging challenges that naturally encourage teamwork. Participants must communicate, delegate, think critically, and solve problems together in a high-pressure environment.
Here’s what makes escape rooms especially powerful for workplace development:
1. Encourages Collaboration
No one escapes alone. Teams must pool their ideas and resources to solve complex puzzles, making collaboration essential for success. This dynamic mirrors many workplace challenges, where working together leads to stronger outcomes.
2. Reveals Team Roles and Strengths
Escape rooms quickly expose team dynamics. Who steps up to lead? Who excels at details? Who supports and encourages others? Managers gain valuable insights into employee behaviour in a way that’s impossible in a boardroom.
3. Improves Communication
Clear, efficient communication is vital under time pressure. Teams learn how to express ideas, listen actively, and avoid misunderstandings—all key skills they’ll carry back to the office.
4. Builds Trust
When employees rely on each other to succeed in a fun, low-stakes environment, trust naturally grows. That trust becomes the foundation for stronger collaboration at work.
5. Boosts Morale
Let’s face it—people love a break from routine. A day out of the office solving mysteries together energizes teams and reminds them that work can (and should) include fun.
Real Companies, Real Results
Alyce Moussa, Hive Media Group
“We launched our next quarterly focus at Hive, which is all about elevating strategy.
To launch this new focus we had the incredible Shelley Cootes host us at Narrow Escape Rooms in Penrith for a team building exercise and I honestly wish we had done it sooner.
The escape room serves as a pressure cooker environment. It was interesting to see how everyone worked together, communicated and strategised their way through the challenges.
The best part? Shelley provided an analysis of her observations on the team. She covered off the overall dynamic, what worked, what didn’t, which role each person took and what techniques we could try next time (as a business owner – this is GOLD).”
Mark & Jen Webster, Mindflare
“We hired all 3 rooms for a company team building activity. We loved that this experience got the team to critically think outside of their normal work practice and collaborate together in a way the psychologists don’t normally get to do. There was laughter, squeals, clapping and cheering. We highly recommend to those thinking of where to take their team that nurtures a fantastic work culture.”
Clare Miles, CNH Industrial Capital
“After a long time without seeing each other face to face, it was great for our sales teams to be able to do the Launch and Undetected rooms at narrow escapes. I find it an excellent team building activity, and as a Manager, really interesting to see my team in a different capacity. It was great to see them work together, and at times show qualities they don’t get to show at work. Can’t wait to do the other rooms next time.”
Best Practices for Using Escape Rooms as a Corporate Tool
If you’re considering using escape rooms for your next team-building event, keep these tips in mind:
✅ Choose a Reputable Venue
Look for a provider like Narrow Escape Rooms that offers professional-level puzzles, immersive storylines, and private bookings for corporate teams.
✅ Debrief Afterwards
The experience doesn’t end at the exit. Use a follow-up discussion or meeting to reflect on what went well, what could improve, and how the lessons apply to your team’s daily work.
✅ Mix Departments
Escape rooms are a great opportunity to mix employees from different teams or departments. Cross-functional interaction fosters broader collaboration within the company.
✅ Don’t Focus Solely on Winning
Some teams escape, some don’t—and that’s okay! The real value is in how they work together, not whether they beat the clock.
The Takeaway
Escape rooms are more than a trend—they’re a dynamic, proven way to enhance workplace relationships and improve how teams’ function. By challenging employees to think creatively, communicate clearly, and trust one another in a high-energy environment, escape rooms offer a team-building experience that’s both impactful and unforgettable.
At Narrow Escape Rooms, we’ve hosted teams from small startups to large enterprises, all looking for one thing: a better way to build stronger, more connected workplaces. Whether you’re onboarding new hires, preparing for a big project, or just looking to energize your team, an escape room might be the key to unlocking your team’s full potential.
Ready to Book Your Team Building Activity?
Explore our corporate team building packages, and give your team the kind of breakthrough experience they’ll talk about long after the final puzzle is solved.