February 2004

Team Building Is No Fun

A survey conducted by Office Angels in 2003 identified that over two thirds (68%) of office workers dread their company's team building sessions.

The survey of 1,500 office workers found that traditional methods of team-building, including role-play and outward bound courses, are increasingly being pushed aside in favour of more productive alternatives.

The survey highlights that while employers regard team-building sessions as vital for company productivity, employees are less positive. Over half (52%) of office workers often find the activities 'childish and embarrassing' while a quarter (24%) resent giving up their free time at weekends for a work activity. A further one in ten (11%) say they feel uncomfortable about the pressure of 'bonding' with colleagues.

The Positive Alternative

In today's business world where there is an even greater need for everyone to pull together, the most compelling need is for excellent communication and commitment across the whole team.

The demand for freedom of self-expression by the individual, coupled with the need for people to take more ownership of their role within the team, can lead to a conflict of interest and de-motivation.

To achieve successful results requires committed teams comprised of motivated individuals.

If we cannot solve problems and improve the process of managing change, then we cannot rise to the challenge of working in a more effective way, nor take advantage of new opportunities when they are presented. Without good problem solving processes, effective team building or organisational development cannot be achieved.

The consequence is stress, chaos, poor morale and a loss of productivity.

Real Teams Need Real Activity!

Real Teams are all about delivering business improvements and they can only do this if they are focused on results and have a clear goal or objective. Teams need to know what to focus on. The company can lay out the basic goal, reduce delivery errors for example, but it is important to let the team define and expand the goal.

Effective teams always know why they are doing something; it is not good enough to simply know what you are doing. Good communication within the team and between the team and the rest of the organisation is essential.

The team need to be able to identify barriers to their success and call on the appropriate resource to remove these barriers; "if we take away the excuses all we are left with is performance" is a well established mantra for a Real Team.

Once the teams' activities start, they need to be able to measure their progress, both to stay on track and to demonstrate to others how they are doing and what the potential consequences of non-performance are for the business.

Real Teams also do things in real time; they do not hang about waiting. Once the goal is clear and the plan is in place, they should get on with the work.

Doing something worthwhile and demonstrating achievements is the only true way to build a team!

Pro Enviro have many years of experience in the creation of Real Teams within the context of creating business benefits. For advice and support in the creation of Real Teams within your company, without the rain and pain, then contact Steve Stones on 024 76 279 000.