Team Building – Why Bother?

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Well here I am. A 25 – year veteran of the teambuilding industry still discussing/championing the rationale for investing in team development programs and events

Sometimes I feel like a hamster in one of those exercise wheels (I could use the workouts).

So why should an organization spend money on these team endeavours? It costs money, usually time away from work is involved, and it is difficult to measure results. Those are the usual arguments that are presented. Others include: “we did it last year and it wasn’t great”, “I had to spend time with others I don’t normally”, and “we do this, and nothing changes back at work”.

So, with these attitudes and arguments why would anyone invest their time and $$ into teambuilding?

The Construction Industry Federation, based in Dublin, Ireland does a superb job of establishing the case for investing in team building in their September 2018 newsletter, https://ciftraining.ie/2018/03/the-benefits-of-teamwork-in-the-workplace/ , citing benefits like; establishes strong relationships, improves communication skills, improves morale and promotes innovation. The historical challenge has always been “How do we measure success?”

Rise People, a Canadian HR and Training Firm identifies at least five metrics used as indicators for the effectiveness of teambuilding. In most cases it is recommended to conduct a pre and post event survey on these metrics. https://risepeople.com/blog/5-metrics-team-member-performance/

The premise that social play positively contributes to improved performance is being put to the test at the time of writing by a school just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. The experiment is in its early stages but already improvements in attention and performance, not to mention attitude towards school in general have improved. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/doubling-recess-alternative-schedule-gives-bruderheim-students-more-wiggle-time It’s not a stretch to apply these practices to the adult workplace.

Informally asking my clients why they continually invest in a team-based event has garnered a variety of responses; “a nice departure from regular office interactions – we get to know each other in a different light”, “we need to remind ourselves that we need each other’s support”, we only get together once a year so its good to have fun together and reconnect”, “not everybody plays golf so we need something that everyone can do”.

Team Building for All Seasons

Team Building for All Seasons

Often, I’m asked during a client consultation (especially from October to March) if it is feasible to conduct a team building session outside. I normally reply yes but insist upon some further discovery.

Many clients, especially those who are traveling to an out of city to a resort area want to take advantage of what the outdoor space has to offer and why not? It always seems a waste to travel to some very scenic locations and spend most of the time indoors looking out.

Some of the essential items on my client conversation checklist include:

Weather Contingency – While its great to experience an outdoor teambuilding session, mother nature doesn’t always cooperate. Years ago, we had one instance at a resort near Huntsville, Ontario where a financial institution had brought in members from their global investments group and wanted to conduct a fun and interactive team event that took place outdoors. This was late October and it snowed 20 cm the night before. Even the local group members were unprepared for the changing conditions. Luckily, we had organized a plan “B” and quickly adjusted the delivery to be mainly inside. The result was a great experience with participants still getting to spend some time outside in areas that did not compromise their footwear or safety.

Clothing List – A recommended list of clothing and personal items should accompany any communication where an outdoor team event is delivered. It shouldn’t mean that participants have to spend a lot of $$ outfitting themselves for an expedition. It should focus on what participants already have (windbreaker, hat, running shoes, water bottle) and take into account local seasonal weather conditions. A recommended list for an outdoor program in Banff in February will likely be different from on for Vancouver or Toronto at the same time.

Client Demographics – Client mobility/accessibility is a consideration in planning and delivering a team experience, especially season to season. Inclusion should be the goal of every program design. Unique roles and responsibilities allow all participants to interact while contributing to the experience and leveraging outcomes.

Venue Partners – Leveraging the knowledge and expertise of the venue partner can make the difference between an ok outcome and a great experience. I have made it a priority to invest in the relationships of our various venue partners both past and present as they are the experts on their own properties. Often times we include them in our planning process as they bring ideas and knowledge we would not otherwise know. In many cases we have designed unique experiences and utilized spaces at venues that have enhanced our clients experience.

Safety and Risk Management – When planning for an outdoor session, seasonal conditions need to be considered. An outdoor surface which is a perfect setting in milder parts of the year can become unsafe and slippery in colder weather. Providers should be able to present their risk management plan to organizations along with their program outlines.