Attending A Team-Building Event

Submitted by mauzenne on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 03:11.
in

This cast gives our guidance on what to do when you have to attend a team building event.

On the Manager Tools casts, we've told managers that we don't believe that 'team-building' events are effective. One day of playing games or drinking together doesn't help the team bond. Working towards a common goal, being honest and appreciative with each other and delivering together does.

However, we know that not every manager is a Manager Tools manager. Many of the individual contributors listening will have to attend team-building events. Some of us will be forced to go paintballing or share 'trust falls'. Whatever the event chosen, some of us will love it and some hate it. How can we best deal with it?


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acole's picture
Submitted by acole on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 12:28.

fear, power and control

I usually enjoy the tools and insight you share here.  This podcast however was so incredibly negative, short-sighted, and based on broad and limiting generalizations.  I am disappointed.  There's a movement happening to change the design and culture of organizations and this way of thinking about management is becoming outdated.  Gen X and Y are not operating this way and they are changing the way organizations are run.  Here's one resource but there are many more out there - www.worldblu.com.  Thanks for listening.  I do enjoy your content most of the time, this one just really missed the mark for me. 

alsam's picture
Submitted by alsam on Fri, 03/04/2011 - 13:42.

ABE

"Always Being Evaluated" 

I work for a company in which the majority of sales manages multi state territories and do not interact face to face on a daily (or monthly basis). We do have a National Sales Meeting once a year which many think is only a "feel good", educational event. I am amazed at the people that don't realize that they are "ABE" by the senior executives All The Time at this week long event. I always take the new managers in our division and let them know the unwritten ground rules.  Maybe this year, I'll just send them this podcast.

stephenbooth_uk's picture
Submitted by stephenbooth_uk on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 16:46.

Mistakes at Team Building Events

 Listening to this cast reminded me of a team building event I went on at a previous employer.  The cheif exec decided we shoudl all go go-carting on a  Saturday.  So I'm in a race, coming round a corner and come off the brake and hard on the accelerator.  Just as a peer of my bosses boss cuts in front of me.  I hit the brake but hit him.  We both survived without inuury but it was a bit hairy for a moment.

So, nearly killing a senior manager.  Anyone have a worse experience on a team building event?

Stephen

PS  After that event we actually got on very well. I guess buying him a beer at the pub afterwards and saying "Sorry for nearly killing you." worked.

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"Start with the customer and work backwards, not with the tools and work forwards" - James Womack