Power and Team Building

One of the biggest elements that gets in the way of effective team building is when people have different amounts of power and don't feel comfortable around each other. For example: you're trying to do some team building activities and the CEO is present so everyone bites his or her tongue and people don't speak or interact candidly. This sort of dynamic points to a workplace where people have been taught to view power in a certain way, with fear.

In an organization that values team building, no one is more powerful than the next person and everyone shares responsibility. People aren't afraid to speak up and trust that their point of view is valuable and important to those above them. Eliminating power differentials in the workplace allows people to shine on their own without worrying about what someone higher up may do to them. It's the sharing of power in all directions which leads to teams working well together.

Take care,

Guy
Team Building

The Elephant in the Team Building Room

There's often a large, seldom-mentioned elephant in the team building room: Top leadership isn't present. Employees notice when team building is only directed at them and they see the level of commitment leadership has by whether they are present in the room. When leaders are part of the team building activities, they become part of the group as well as the solution. If they're not there the employees think it's just another thing they have to do and leadership doesn't.

Team Building Tip: Invite the Difficult People

A lot of workplaces implement team building and then continue to ignore the "difficult" people. Team building activities are an excellent opportunity to emphasize positive behaviors and invite a resistant person into the fold. Oftentimes, people behave negatively and appear difficult because they don't feel they're part of the team.

Take care,

Guy
Team Building

Focus Your Team Building on the Long-Term

A lot of leaders and organizations will provide some team building activities for a day and then return to business as usual. The hidden secret to effective team building is that it doesn't work unless you practice it long-term. The reason for this is that you can't change people's behavior in one event, it takes sustained effort. Consider providing ongoing and consistent team building activities that help you and and your employees learn positive behaviors.

Take care,

Guy

Team Building and the Difficult Employee

There is often an employee who is considered difficult and people don't want to include him or her in any team building activities. One of the reasons that people behave in negative ways is that they don't feel like they belong in the workplace. Team building offers an opportunity to have the person share experiences and thoughts with others in the group. It helps create an atmosphere where people feel safe to talk about things and can let go of negative behaviors.

Take care,

Guy
Team Building