Team Bonding Has Nothing to Do with Bondage
Just FYI.
But tonight as a team bonding event we’re going to one of the largest conveyer belt sushi restaurants in the country. I’m not sure why people want to eat food off a conveyor belt, but I’m game. All I can think of is the scene with Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory. When I’m done, they’re going to have to roll me out of there.
Other good team bonding events I’ve particpated in have been beach trips & BBQs, bumper boats–that was really fun, jet skis, golf–both mini and “real”, and bowling. The events have been most successful when most informal, I think. But I define “successful” as “having fun together” as opposed to “learning about us as a team.” So perhaps my expectations aren’t quite right.
essprit said:
Oct 14, 08 at 6:17 pmI come down firmly on the “have fun together” side of things, but I’m often bemused at how some peer managers and some above in my workplace think there have to be Specific Goals and Objectives even for informal, fun events like the ones you mention. On the flip side, there are staff who don’t want to attend “fun” events unless there is an agenda or specific work-related purpose, or who attend with teeth clenched the whole time. So what usually happens is that the same group of people who are game go out, have fun, and bond further, and the others end up feeling like they’re not in the “in” crowd. (Goodness, just realized how like high school this all sounds). I’m not proposing we should force anyone to have fun 😉 but I’m curious how others have handled these variations on a theme.
seth vidal said:
Oct 14, 08 at 9:04 pmI’ve found that ‘informal fun things’ that feel like their mandatory aren’t fun. I hate going out with people from work who I wouldn’t normally hang out with and I begrudge management-pressured social events.
At my last job there were occasionally things like this and it typically made me want to kill kittens. It’s sort of like office holiday parties. In the past I’ve typically looked forward to root canals with less dread.
The other problem I’ve found is that when someone has a personal life, family commitments or just personal choices that prohibit them from acting like everyone else they are just further ostracized and isolated.
An example: “Office lunch at a BBQ place and you’re the only vegetarian” So you spend the whole meal avoiding eating anything and answering a lot of either baffled or hostile coworkers. What-fun!
Maurry said:
Oct 15, 08 at 4:57 amWhen I was in charge, our office went to the racetrack. As it turned out, however, I was the only winner. This, of itself, was not too bad except I kept cackling about it and bragging to one and all. I discovered that money losers do not like to be reminded about it by money winners. The result of this was that, from this trip on, I sensed a palpable dislike from my “team” members. On the positive side, admittedly a tiny improvement, my team members were now focused…they all hated me.
kdghty said:
Oct 15, 08 at 9:44 amEvery winter term when I was in high school, we had a PE section on folk dancing. Everyone – all us girls – would complain about having to dance around the gym with each other, but when it came down to it, we were Salty Dog Ragging and Mayiming like there was no tomorrow. Same thing has happened with those get-to-know-you type activities. Sometimes the anticipation is so much worse. On the flip side, sometimes the organizers just don’t know when to stop – like in that American Airlines escape commercial – and just let things roll.
admin said:
Oct 15, 08 at 5:02 pmI think we can all agree that the best activities are the ones which actually happen on company time–that don’t cut into your personal life. And I think we can all agree that, generally, they’re not that successful unless you can get everyone to bond, as Maurry did, in their hatred toward you (way to go, Dad!). It’s hard to find an activity everyone will think is fun or at least “not horribly painful.” I think you can overcome some of the food limitations by providing options but even then it’s still tough (how about the gluten-free vegan?).
As the boss you feel obliged to host these events but maybe everyone would just breathe a sigh of relief is you called the whole thing off and let everyone leave early one day…I should use our new clickers to ask at the next staff meeting!
filberthockey said:
Nov 03, 08 at 7:07 amSo you are trying to build team with social events. You’ve got a team of diverse personality types. Some of those perosnality types don’t have any need to have social skills, they get paid to think and not to interact. The ones who need to interact get to ride bumper boats, the ones who don’t need to interact get to go home early and work from home, since they probably work 18 hours a day anyway.
admin said:
Nov 03, 08 at 5:29 pmthere you go! Multiple bonding opportunities, including “none of the above”! sounds good to me.