Comments on: The top 5 reasons why most team building events are a waste of time http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/ Make Yourself and Your Business Happy At Work Sun, 20 May 2012 05:56:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Teambuilding events => The secret of great teamwork « BLOG OR DIE TRYIN' http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-261293 Teambuilding events => The secret of great teamwork « BLOG OR DIE TRYIN' Mon, 14 May 2012 15:03:22 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-261293 [...] - To the negative aspects of `teambuilding events´: http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/ Dare to Share!EmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...] [...] – To the negative aspects of `teambuilding events´: http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/ Dare to Share!EmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]

]]> By: Laura S http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260596 Laura S Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:12:51 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260596 I am a visual artist who has developed a team building event that inspires creativity and collaboration. It's always successful to pull people out of their usual life-paths to give them an opportunity to be creative - successfully. In a nutshell, I teach people how to cast their hands using plaster/alginate and then paint the dried cast with an image of a painting that exists in a museum storage facility. Even when people have no experience with art and "can't draw/paint", they successfully leave with an accurate fail-proof highly-detailed sculpture. The process is what is so important. Most people don't have experience or exposure to making visual art or knowledge of the "behind the scenes" of art-making. This process unveils the mystery behind much of the process. It gives exposure to creativity and an alternative way of thinking. Participants are able to show hiddent talents. There's a lot of collaborative helping and encouragement that goes on throughout the length of the 2 day workshop. There is also a peaceful meditation element that hushes the room as people sit in a group concentrating while creating. It's a powerful tool. Many participants have said they like displaying the work of art as a reminder of how process is often a greater learning skill that the initial result. And, the artwork looks cool too. I began this workshop with international school students in Hong Kong and Singapore. The results were astounding - the teachers passionate. It was an easy transfer to the corporate world, where a boost of creativity and collaboration is the foundation of change. I am a visual artist who has developed a team building event that inspires creativity and collaboration. It’s always successful to pull people out of their usual life-paths to give them an opportunity to be creative – successfully.

In a nutshell, I teach people how to cast their hands using plaster/alginate and then paint the dried cast with an image of a painting that exists in a museum storage facility. Even when people have no experience with art and “can’t draw/paint”, they successfully leave with an accurate fail-proof highly-detailed sculpture.

The process is what is so important. Most people don’t have experience or exposure to making visual art or knowledge of the “behind the scenes” of art-making. This process unveils the mystery behind much of the process. It gives exposure to creativity and an alternative way of thinking. Participants are able to show hiddent talents. There’s a lot of collaborative helping and encouragement that goes on throughout the length of the 2 day workshop. There is also a peaceful meditation element that hushes the room as people sit in a group concentrating while creating. It’s a powerful tool.

Many participants have said they like displaying the work of art as a reminder of how process is often a greater learning skill that the initial result. And, the artwork looks cool too.

I began this workshop with international school students in Hong Kong and Singapore. The results were astounding – the teachers passionate. It was an easy transfer to the corporate world, where a boost of creativity and collaboration is the foundation of change.

]]> By: Scott M http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260422 Scott M Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:21:14 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260422 I've played the game mentioned by Johann, and have not found it very useful. It attempts to encourage people to think about cooperating, but only does so within the context of the game. Basically, it's a metaphor for the office, but such a simplistic one that any thinking adult can grasp the concept within seconds (but still waste 20 minutes playing the stupid game!). Barriers to cooperation in the workplace are so much more complex than this simple game. Employees don't cooperate for a variety of reasons, few having to do with a simple desire to compete. The employees may not know who to cooperate with. Who has the information they need? Who has the time to help? Who has the responsibility for the area they need help with? Etc. Again, team building needs to be specific to the office environment of the employees. Generic and simplistic games like this are at best a waste of time. At worst they are an (unintentional) insult to smart employees. I’ve played the game mentioned by Johann, and have not found it very useful.

It attempts to encourage people to think about cooperating, but only does so within the context of the game. Basically, it’s a metaphor for the office, but such a simplistic one that any thinking adult can grasp the concept within seconds (but still waste 20 minutes playing the stupid game!).

Barriers to cooperation in the workplace are so much more complex than this simple game. Employees don’t cooperate for a variety of reasons, few having to do with a simple desire to compete.

The employees may not know who to cooperate with. Who has the information they need? Who has the time to help? Who has the responsibility for the area they need help with? Etc.

Again, team building needs to be specific to the office environment of the employees. Generic and simplistic games like this are at best a waste of time. At worst they are an (unintentional) insult to smart employees.

]]> By: Is team building a waste of time? | WishWish USA http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260274 Is team building a waste of time? | WishWish USA Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:30:51 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260274 [...] Intuitively, I say absolutely not – but I was intrigued enough to read this article siting the top 5 reasons why most team-building events are a waste of time. [...] [...] Intuitively, I say absolutely not – but I was intrigued enough to read this article siting the top 5 reasons why most team-building events are a waste of time. [...]

]]> By: Johann http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260224 Johann Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:56:03 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260224 I have a simple game that works quite well in convincing people about the value of cooperation: What I have found works quite well is dividing a group into smaller groups(of 4 or 5 members each) and let them compete with a task which is structured to only allow success in a subgroup if they cooperate. This need to co-operate is not spelled out, but structured into the game. On later reflection, competition within the subgroup is seen as stupid (not called that, but everyone laughs at their less effective responses) and cooperation is seen as smart. I give each member of a sub team a set of pieces of cut up shapes, with enough different shapes so each member has a unique one. The trick is to take one or more pieces out of each set and and mix them in with other sets. The whole group has enough of the correct pieces for each one to construct a perfect square. They era just told to make a square with the pieces in from to them. If an individual cant make a square with the pieces they have, they can pass a redundant piece to a neighbour. No verbal or other communication allowed, except for offering the shape, which could be refused. The first subgroup to finish all their squares wins. In such a situation a group can only win (and I provide a nice incentive) if they cooperate. (a group can be disqualified if they are seen to communicate in any way), but they are not told to cooperate. Not being able to communicate usually locks individuals into their own competitiveness (especially if there is a time limit given. 6 min. is usually quite enough) After a subgroup has won, it is natural for the others to reflect on their individual behaviours and when (and if) the penny dropped and the "innate" tendency to compete was overcome and they started to cooperate. In order to be most successful one really has to unlock individual "tunnel vision" and start observing what happens in the subgroup as a whole. The shift from individual to group awareness can become quite tangible to some and be remembered afterward for a long time. I have a simple game that works quite well in convincing people about the value of cooperation:
What I have found works quite well is dividing a group into smaller groups(of 4 or 5 members each) and let them compete with a task which is structured to only allow success in a subgroup if they cooperate. This need to co-operate is not spelled out, but structured into the game. On later reflection, competition within the subgroup is seen as stupid (not called that, but everyone laughs at their less effective responses) and cooperation is seen as smart.
I give each member of a sub team a set of pieces of cut up shapes, with enough different shapes so each member has a unique one. The trick is to take one or more pieces out of each set and and mix them in with other sets. The whole group has enough of the correct pieces for each one to construct a perfect square. They era just told to make a square with the pieces in from to them. If an individual cant make a square with the pieces they have, they can pass a redundant piece to a neighbour. No verbal or other communication allowed, except for offering the shape, which could be refused. The first subgroup to finish all their squares wins.
In such a situation a group can only win (and I provide a nice incentive) if they cooperate. (a group can be disqualified if they are seen to communicate in any way), but they are not told to cooperate. Not being able to communicate usually locks individuals into their own competitiveness (especially if there is a time limit given. 6 min. is usually quite enough)
After a subgroup has won, it is natural for the others to reflect on their individual behaviours and when (and if) the penny dropped and the “innate” tendency to compete was overcome and they started to cooperate.
In order to be most successful one really has to unlock individual “tunnel vision” and start observing what happens in the subgroup as a whole.
The shift from individual to group awareness can become quite tangible to some and be remembered afterward for a long time.

]]> By: Team Building http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260151 Team Building Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:05:50 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-260151 Hello, I readed with attention your interested post and in my opinion the right is in the middle. 2 important think: is not everything team building. For exemple a bowling game is absolutily not team building and of course that Miranda told that post, but please attention. The second question very important is the Coach that do the activity, they are 90% important for the final result. The problem in my opinion is not if the are a team winner or loser. That is also in business the same. The important is the way. The way to arrive at to lose and the way to arrive at to win. what's matter? what dindn't work in a team, what we need for to be better. De-brief. Ok try again. what's matter now? de-brief again. Hello,
I readed with attention your interested post and in my opinion the right is in the middle. 2 important think: is not everything team building. For exemple a bowling game is absolutily not team building and of course that Miranda told that post, but please attention. The second question very important is the Coach that do the activity, they are 90% important for the final result. The problem in my opinion is not if the are a team winner or loser. That is also in business the same. The important is the way. The way to arrive at to lose and the way to arrive at to win. what’s matter? what dindn’t work in a team, what we need for to be better. De-brief. Ok try again. what’s matter now? de-brief again.

]]> By: G@R http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-258703 G@R Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:32:32 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-258703 Hi I work in Singapore based semiconductor company. Today we had our department's team building activity. It was compulsory to attend it. We out for a bowling as the team building activity. There were 85 people and 5ppl in each team. I'm not that bad at the game, but unfortunately I coudn't focuss and lost the interest of the game because start having this severe pain on my lower abdominal ( already done a scan test and waiting to see the doctor to review the rwsults). So I coudn't score well. At the end of the event organizers picked up the best 5 teams and the best player, and awarded them with prizes. I am so dissapoited that they've chosen the worst three players and call infront everybody and gave free bowling voucher for each. I was one of them. Announcer ( one of our coworker) make fun out of us. I was so dissapointed and felt like f...k the anouncer. Is this team building ? ( I felt like team-destroying) Hi I work in Singapore based semiconductor company. Today we had our department’s team building activity. It was compulsory to attend it. We out for a bowling as the team building activity. There were 85 people and 5ppl in each team. I’m not that bad at the game, but unfortunately I coudn’t focuss and lost the interest of the game because start having this severe pain on my lower abdominal ( already done a scan test and waiting to see the doctor to review the rwsults). So I coudn’t score well. At the end of the event organizers picked up the best 5 teams and the best player, and awarded them with prizes. I am so dissapoited that they’ve chosen the worst three players and call infront everybody and gave free bowling voucher for each. I was one of them. Announcer ( one of our coworker) make fun out of us. I was so dissapointed and felt like f…k the anouncer. Is this team building ? ( I felt like team-destroying)

]]> By: Paul Smith @ Indoor Sports http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-258663 Paul Smith @ Indoor Sports Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:31:24 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-258663 I don’t agree with the main reasons quoted in the article, I am personally convinced that it is crucial to organise team building activities or sport games in order to take your staff out of their work environment and build a teamwork spirit. I don’t agree with the main reasons quoted in the article, I am personally convinced that it is crucial to organise team building activities or sport games in order to take your staff out of their work environment and build a teamwork spirit.

]]> By: Paul Smith @ Indoor Sports http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-258351 Paul Smith @ Indoor Sports Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:28:40 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-258351 I don't agree with the main reasons quoted in the article, I am personally convinced that it is crucial to organise team building activities or sport games in order to take your staff out of their work environment and build a teamwork spirit. I don’t agree with the main reasons quoted in the article, I am personally convinced that it is crucial to organise team building activities or sport games in order to take your staff out of their work environment and build a teamwork spirit.

]]> By: Should Corporate Team Building Activities be Mandatory? | TrivWorks™ - Live Trivia Entertainment and Corporate Team Building in New York City http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-257602 Should Corporate Team Building Activities be Mandatory? | TrivWorks™ - Live Trivia Entertainment and Corporate Team Building in New York City Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:12:06 +0000 http://positivesharing.com/2007/10/the-top-5-problems-with-corporate-team-building/#comment-257602 [...] Herein lies the confounding part: it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be forced to attend a team building activity during the day. After all, consider the alternative from your staff’s point of view: they have to work! I’d be willing to bet you my last Fig Newton that when presented with the option of plugging away at the same grind for yet another workday, or doing something – ANYTHING – defined as “team building,” your people will jump at the chance to do so. Even if it’s lame. [...] [...] Herein lies the confounding part: it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be forced to attend a team building activity during the day. After all, consider the alternative from your staff’s point of view: they have to work! I’d be willing to bet you my last Fig Newton that when presented with the option of plugging away at the same grind for yet another workday, or doing something – ANYTHING – defined as “team building,” your people will jump at the chance to do so. Even if it’s lame. [...]

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