I wish every leader would read this article and take your sound advice. Taking it a step further, even when there isn't an obvious problem, a team will always have needs that have to be taken into account in the design of a team-building event, or it will miss the mark.  In a high-functioning team, they might be relatively easy to address (e.g., update on an initiative or agreement on email protocol).

Even the most perceptive leaders often don't have the full picture, which is why a discovery process is critical. Interviews with team members (or at the very least, a survey) will surface and prioritize the needs, leading to objectives that are on target and an agenda that clears the way so the team can focus on cohesion and collaboration.