Mission possible: How tech-powered team building turns pressure into innovation

HRO’s recent team-building experience with Steam Building taught us that a growth mindset, empathy, team appreciation, and a proactive attitude are key ingredients for building a winning team. Report by HRO’s Tracy Chan.

Everyday workplace challenges can sometimes feel like ticking time bombs – small ones may cause minor disruptions, but the big ones can be catastrophic. Act fast, or the backlash could shake the entire team.

That is when you need a neutraliser. But here is the catch: a bomb neutraliser doesn’t work alone. It takes a whole village to untangle the wires – and communication is key.

Well, after that worrisome setting to the scene, the good news is that everything impossible can be possible if you have the right tools and, most importantly, the right team.

That was the spirit behind HRO’s recent team-building experience on 9 December 2025 – except instead of protective gear and shields, our team wielded AR glasses, VR headsets, and a growth mindset.

Hosted at a spacious venue in Kwun Tong under the expert guidance of Steam Building, the day kicked off with a photo styling challenge. Teams paired up to snap professional or playful shots – think Barbie vibes or office chic – proving that creativity thrives when boundaries blur.

This was followed by the next challenge: turning “impossible” into “possible” within minutes. From the ‘Chopstick Challenge’ to the high-stakes ‘24’ game – where teams had just 12 minutes to plan and 12 to execute – the clock was ticking, and creativity and team alignment were the only currency.

The moment of truth was when the teams needed to transport a “neutraliser” to defuse a dangerous radioactive bomb without crossing the red line. The stakes? Miss the mark, and we would be out of the dinner party. Suddenly, collaboration wasn’t optional – it was about survival (and a sumptuous dinner!).

Technology added a futuristic twist to this activity. VR games tested our teammates' emotional intelligence and multilingual communication, revealing how frustration can spike when teammates can’t speak the same language – literally or virtually. Yet, as teams helped each other fix headsets and navigate menus, empathy became the ultimate tech upgrade, and somehow, we all found ourselves speaking the same language of ‘problem solving’.

Crucially, the day wasn’t just about fun. Steam Building’s signature approach – blending experiential learning with cutting-edge tech like AI, drones, and robots – underscored how team building can double as upskilling. These experiences helped us strengthen our digital confidence, adaptability, and readiness for ongoing digital transformation in the workplace.

The key to resolving the puzzle wasn’t adrenaline – it was mindset. We were reminded that success isn’t measured by results alone, but by effort, process, and attitude. That is where the concept of a growth mindset came alive.

By the end, the room buzzed with reflections: How did you feel? What inspired you? What made you succeed? What did you learn? Answers circled back to the same truths:

• Innovation emerges when time is short, resources are scarce, and minds stay open.
• Respect, trust, and care are essential for team cohesion across departments, languages, and cultures.
• Appreciation should be timely, sincere, and specific.

After all, the ultimate goal of the activities was to create experiences that mirror real-world challenges – where technology amplifies human connection, and humility, collaboration, and effective communication become the superpowers of modern work.

A huge kudos to all team members for making the day truly meaningful – and heartfelt thank you to the Steam Building team for their professional insights and humour, and for hosting us so graciously!

About Steam Building

Found in 2018, Steam Building has established itself as a trusted partner to over 100 organisations across Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Mainland China. Serving clients in both the public and private sectors, as well as NGOs, the company crafts engaging and effective programmes that empower professionals from diverse industries and functions to build the confidence and capabilities needed to thrive in a fast-evolving digital landscape. Check out more information and contact details via its website.

Photos / Steam Building