Team Building Reviews:
What clients say about Make Believe Works
Every team-building company promises fun.
These reviews come from organizations looking for something more: trust, psychological safety, belonging, creativity, and stronger relationships at work.
Many of these clients started skeptical. Many worried their teams would resist another team-building activity.
Their experiences were different.
Everything on this page is real feedback from real clients that brought us in for team retreats, leadership offsites, workshops, and company events.
"I Was Worried It Wouldn’t Work."
Most people booking team building have been burned before. So have most of the people on their teams. One of the most common things we hear is some version of: "I usually hate team building." Our workshops change their minds.
"What a phenomenal experience. I had worried that it might not work, but it vastly exceeded my expectations and the team absolutely loved it. Will be doing this again."
— Richard Small, Director of Technical Publications, Netskope
"First time ever that my team didn't have one complaint. The activity really worked for all personality types. My team was nervous about doing a team building at the end of the day since it was a jam-packed agenda. But it really gave us the energy to get us through dinner. We all laughed so much. I was thinking about it as I was trying to sleep that night and was laughing all over again."
— Lindsey Harlow, Executive Administrative Assistant for Client Services, Altria
"I usually dread team building activities, but this was different. The facilitation was magical and made all the difference. I sincerely enjoyed the process and learning so many new things about my colleagues. Absolutely want more of these."
— Anonymous Feedback from Design Managers, Spotify
"I don't usually like these types of activities — if I'm being honest, I force myself to join to set an example as a leader — but found this to be really well done and well worth the time, while also not being too much of a cognitive ask in our already busy days."
— Anonymous Feedback from Senior Leaders, Salesforce
"People were quite skeptical, but afterwards a bunch of folks shared how surprising, refreshing, and genuinely fun the exercise was. At dinner after the event the leaders all answered the questions with each other since they didn't get to partner during the exercise — it was quite moving."
— Ellen Gladish, Administrative Business Partner for Risk & Compliance, Stripe
It Works for the Quiet Ones, Too
Many team-building activities reward the loudest people in the room. Our goal is different. Make Believe Works is specifically designed so that reserved, introverted, and skeptical participants aren't just included — they're often the ones who surprise themselves most.
"The activity really worked for all personality types. It was designed so everyone felt comfortable being vulnerable."
— Lindsey Harlow, Executive Administrative Assistant for Client Services, Altria
"The most surprising outcome? Watching typically reserved colleagues find their voice and confidence through creative expression. It creates opportunities for people to see each other differently and find unexpected common ground."
— Jacqueline Cooksey, Design Director, LYFT
"I’m an introvert and usually zone out during large bonding events but this actually got everyone involved."
— Anonymous Feedback, Meta
"Everyone engaged in the activity regardless of their personality and truly learned something about themselves and others that they work with."
— Matthew Wood, Marketing Transformation Lead, Schneider Electronics
"Sometimes the more introverted folks feel a bit of hesitation to join large group team building activities, but Make Believe Works did a great job building trust at the outset. Everyone was able to let down their guard, have fun, and walk away with fresh ideas and perspectives."
— Gaby Patino, Senior HR Manager, Fantasy
"It was the best teambuilding event that we could have done for a bunch of introverts."
— Julie Oh, Senior Director, Chief of Staff, Equinix
"It was hands down the best workshop I've ever attended. From the very start, Ben and Lara cultivated a safe and creative space that allowed my colleagues and I to play, open up, and connect more deeply with one another — without the awkwardness that usually comes with ice breakers and networking events. I was able to show up as my most authentic self and discover new understandings of myself and the people I work with."
— Dylan Julian, Marketing, Esther Perel Global Media
The Difference Is What Happens After
Anyone can run a fun activity. The question is whether anything changes.
"The impact of most team-building activities hasn't lasted beyond the day. But Make Believe Works was different. For the first time, we came away with a richer sense of our colleagues as people — and as a direct result, we've seen meaningful shifts in how we engage with one another."
— Carina Parnham, Consul, Consulate General of Canada
"I never would have predicted how much it would continue to impact my team. The warmth that Make Believe Works created really lasted well beyond the day itself."
— Leslie Carroll, Executive Operations, Stripe
"MBW's creative prompts helped us connect in a fun and meaningful way and the tone was set for the whole year. We even used our creations in our year-end reflections."
— Reid Rousseau, Senior Manager User Centricity, MARS
"We heard comments from both new and seasoned employees that they felt a greater sense of camaraderie and belonging after participating, and this sentiment immediately translated into how they approached their work."
— Courtney Sandberg, Senior Director Product Design, Sprout Social
"Our team couldn't stop talking about the experience for days afterward, and many still have their creations proudly displayed at their desks."
— Tiana Torres, Director of Human Resources, San Francisco Travel Association
"I noticed an immediate shift in energy and team spirit right after the session."
— Frederick Tran, National Human Resources Manager, WITRON
What Actually Creates That Shift:
Psychological Safety
Make Believe Works is built around a specific condition — psychological safety — that most team building ignores entirely. When people feel genuinely safe, they open up. When they open up, they see each other differently. That's when something real changes.
"Our experience with Ben and Lara during the Global Leadership Summit in Puebla had a meaningful and lasting impact on our team. They brought the concept of Safe Danger to life by creating an environment where people felt safe to be themselves while still being encouraged to grow. The space they created allowed trust and openness to emerge naturally. People connected beyond roles and hierarchies, which led to more honest conversations and stronger relationships. The experience demonstrated that safety at work is not about avoiding challenge, but about supporting people as they take small, meaningful risks. The impact extended beyond the session itself, giving our team a shared reference point for trust, vulnerability, and collaboration that continues to influence how we work together."
— Juan Carlos Narro, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Bocar Group
"It was designed so everyone felt comfortable being vulnerable. The ties of psychological safety paired with accepting failure really hit home for our group."
— Lindsey Harlow, Executive Administrative Assistant for Client Services, Altria
"I especially appreciated how they set the tone around psychological safety right from the start. The activity encouraged genuine connection while still giving participants autonomy over how personal they wanted to get."
— Tiana Torres, Director of Human Resources, San Francisco Travel Association
"The facilitators are exceptional at creating a safe, professional environment where imagination flourishes naturally. The most surprising outcome? Watching typically reserved colleagues find their voice and confidence through creative expression."
— Jacqueline Cooksey, Design Director, LYFT
"It's difficult to get deep at work without it feeling cheesy, but this felt really authentic."
— Anonymous Participant Feedback, Netflix
Belonging. Not Just Fun.
There's a specific kind of loneliness that exists inside busy, high-performing teams. People work alongside each other for years without really knowing each other. That can change.
"Make Believe Works completely exceeded our expectations. The team was warm, wildly creative, and fully engaged our staff. Our team walked away with real leadership takeaways in addition to an incredibly fun day."
— Diane Eichler, Senior Vice President of Marketing, KOA
"Make Believe Works impacted my sense of belonging. It made me realize I had a place there. Creating things together gets rid of this feeling of competitiveness. In those sessions we were all equal."
— Hanna Pincus, Business Operations Lead, IDEO
"My team was very disconnected because we worked in different offices. Doing Make Believe Time created the connection we needed to work more fluidly together."
— Senior Director, Strategy, Global Citizen
"I love how I was able to learn about other members of my team and what's important to them and what they're working on while also being creative and expressing myself."
— Senior Designer, Spotify
"I'd never taken the time before to think about what I must look like from the outside when I'm frustrated. These activities helped me to develop the skills to explain what I need more clearly."
— Constance Smith, Global Director of Innovation & Design, Mars, Inc.
"Their playful, creative activities helped to open people up and laid the foundation for us to move into the work-themed conversations with new insights and perspectives. Even the curmudgeons really leaned in and enjoyed it."
— Joy King, Chief Talent, Strategy & Operations Officer, NCAN
Creativity as the Vehicle, Not the Point
Make Believe Works uses creative experience to get somewhere most workplace conversations can't reach. The creativity isn't decorative — it's the method.
"Make Believe Works reinvents connection and development with its unique, fun, engaging and highly impactful workshops. Most recently, their activation facilitated what our team called 'the most meaningful and fun' virtual get-to-know-you's they've ever participated in."
— Naomi Gourd, Director of Business Planning & Strategy, American Express
"After Make Believe Works you return to work with a new intelligence. You can't undersell the joy. There's something wonderful about laughing together and feeling the joy of making something together. You think differently when you're feeling joyful. And that is so important."
— Jason Baker, Design Director, IDEO
"I just really appreciated seeing the way my mind works versus someone else's. Sometimes it even felt therapeutic in the best sense."
— Meg Durlak, Creative Director, Google Labs
"Make Believe Works helped me be a successful leader. It showed me how important those moments of collaboration, creativity, and sharing equally — regardless of role — are in creating the community we wanted in our organization."
— Leif Huff, IDEO Partner and Chief Design Officer, Wirelane
"Make Believe Works brought a real spark of creativity to the team. It tapped into a different way of exploring myself and connecting with my colleagues."
— Lawrance Abrahamson, Co-Director, Design Thinking, Ford Motor Company
At the Highest Stakes
Leadership retreats. Cultural inflection points. Rapid growth. The sessions that have to work.
"Our company was at a cultural inflection point as the number of team members doubled with clinics in three major cities. Ben was the opening speaker at our annual Team Week retreat and it really set the tone for the retreat and the year ahead. Our group came away closer, more open to one another's positions and views, and emboldened to solve some really big problems together. Immediately after Ben's closing, we planned several activities to fan the flames and maintain the fire we had for making a difference in one another's lives and our patients' lives."
— Rob Kibler, COO, Ohio Sleep Treatment
"Our session with Make Believe Works enabled our newly formed team to connect after a period of significant change. The activities were so creative and gave us the energy we needed to have a successful offsite. We are definitely bringing MBW in for our next offsite."
— Zach Kroko, Chief Of Staff Machine Learning Experience Design, Capital One
"We've heard from many members of the team that this was the highlight of the Summit. I was over the moon excited to see the powerful new connections that were created."
— Sarah Crouse, Chief of Staff, TIAA
"In our post-retreat survey, the activity they facilitated received the highest ratings of the entire event. What stood out most is how intentional their activities are. Every experience they design has a real purpose and outcome behind it. I especially appreciated the focus on connection rather than competition."
— Tiana Torres, Director of Human Resources, San Francisco Travel Association
What the Facilitation Actually Feels Like
The activities are only as good as the people running them. Here's what participants say about Ben and Lara specifically.
"One thing that especially stood out was that everyone got equal airtime, not just the extroverts. As a leader, I'm always looking for activities that are well-designed and inspire everyone to participate. This was a perfect choice for my team."
— Andrea S., Senior Leader, Meta
“Our group was laughing and crying throughout — sometimes at the same time, which was a great sign to me of an effective session. Our facilitators did a great job steering each activity and doubled down on the strengths of our group on the fly."
— Matthew Wood, Marketing Transformation Lead, Schneider Electronics
"Ben is a master facilitator and brought such warmth and safety to the experience."
— Anonymous Feedback, Meta
"Ben and Lara listened to all of our pain points and desired outcomes and then delivered — on a very tight schedule. Ben's gentle manner and good humor really encouraged our team to open up and be vulnerable. It was an exceptional workshop and easily the highlight of our whole event. All of our team members were raving about it afterwards."
— Lynn Hsu
"Ben was somehow able to keep the entire thing on time while giving each participant room to share her thoughts. Truly a much more intimate sharing experience than I had expected."
— Allison G., Salesforce
"What stood out most was the way Lara gently guided participants to open up through a series of thoughtful and engaging activities. Her ability to bring people together and foster deep, meaningful connections is truly impressive. It was a magical, moving, and enriching experience."
— Frederick Tran, National Human Resources Manager, WITRON
"Can't thank Lara and Ben enough. Lara did a phenomenal job coordinating and for the day of, Ben and his team were thoughtful, energetic, and went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great experience. The attention to detail and seamless facilitation made the whole event run effortlessly from setup to breakdown."
— Suhaila Ben-Ghaly
"I plan social and team-building activities for our organization, and hiring MBW felt like going out on a limb. But wow — it broke open some real authentic relating and care between staff. Ben is a maestro, a deep listener, and held the space so respectfully and with such ease. Everyone loved him. This company is so unique."
— Stefanie Charren, Internal Events & Team Building Planner
"They even sent me a folder of photos so I could actually be fully present and truly participate."
— Tiana Torres
"I needed this more than any other meeting I've had in the last month."
— Amy A., Salesforce
It Works for Remote, Distributed, and Hybrid Teams, Too
"Our employees love the flexibility of being remote, but we all can admit it makes connection a real challenge. The feedback from staff has been wonderful. They delivered exactly what I was hoping for, and the sense of connection among the staff was noticeably stronger. I've heard so many comments about the balance of depth and humor they brought out in everyone. Seeing people lean into vulnerability while having so much fun was really special to witness."
— Bobby Barber, Non-Profit Executive
"Our activity helped us to find common ground and feel a greater sense of empathy and care for one another. The gifts we made for each other serve as a joyful reminder of our shared experience and continue to inspire us as we work remotely."
— Ana V., Mozilla
"It was unique, creative, and felt like time well spent because I got to spend meaningful time with remote colleagues I would not have otherwise."
— Senior Manager, DonorsChoose
"Really unique. One of the best virtual team events our remote team has ever done."
— Anonymous Feedback, Meta
"The more we do stuff like this consistently the stronger the bond will be between team members. If we keep doing things like this we will keep the momentum going and our connection to one another will feel very similar to an in-person work environment."
— Anonymous Feedback, Envoy
Is This What Your Team Is Missing?
We work with teams at every stage — retreats, offsites, conferences, workshops, and company events. If you're looking for something that builds real trust, not just a good afternoon, we'd like to talk.
Just reach out and tell us about your event.