|
officepa
|
I disagree Gee.
1. There was a lot of interaction with each other. You were never alone.
2. Cuts – possible, but I get more papercuts in the office each day than I did on the course and these were very minor – others had none. If you followed safety instructions and wore the safety glasses etc, it was fine. (Another department went on a paintballing teambuilding day, someone slipped on some paint and broke his ankle – nobody lost a finger on my course!!).
Let me explain in more detail.
We were split into two groups which consisted of 8 in each group. Each group was situated around a large work table - in a circle style but in the same room. On either side of me I had two people who normally work down the other end of the office from me and although our paths cross during the working day, never long enough to have a 'chat' as such. Seated next to each other naturally meant we chatted – in the office this would not necessarily happen.
After the tutor had explained and shown us what to do/not to do, she wandered around us as we began our designs. While we were doing this, there was a lot of 'banter' and interaction going on. A friendly competition began and we were all laughing and relaxed. None of us had done anything like this before so we were all starting on an equal level – nobody was ‘superior’ to anyone else.
We weren't sitting in silence creating our masterpieces. We were asking each other advice on various aspects of our design, cribbing ideas and so on. The atmosphere was relaxed and informal.
And, this I feel is the important teambuilding bit, while doing this we were also talking about so many things – work issues were not mentioned. By doing this, we all got to know each other a little better. As I said, a couple who are quite hostile in the office and seem to rub each other up the wrong way, got on so well and continue to do so.
I think you see another side to someone when out of the office environment. You see them as someone other than the moaning minnie who is always chasing for expense claims/invoices/dates in diary and so on. Doesn't mean you will become their life long best friend but isn't it nice just to get on with others?
We had a picnic lunch delivered and sat together on the grass. The group was not too large and did not split up into separate cliques. I talked to a particular colleague and found out so much about her in a 10 minute chat than I ever would in the office. We now chat a little more in the office than just a ‘good morning’ between us.
I’m not sure what you mean Gee by this situation being artificial. Yes, in the office we are doing our jobs as individuals but we are part of a team/company and it makes for a nicer working environment if we all get on. Sometimes, working relationships break down but when we come together outside of the office doing something other than work related, barriers come down and everybody is more social and relaxed.
A quick drink after work does not often achieve this as it is over before it has begun and if in a busy, noisy place, does not lend itself to being relaxed. A day such as we had was ideal.
The aim of the day was to improve working relationships with each other. We all felt this was achieved 100%. During this week, our day has been mentioned several times and how well it went and how we would all like to have another one.
I got to mix with colleagues I work with in a relaxed, non-working environment, have done something I would never have thought of doing and enjoyed it.
|
