Before Your Next Team Building... Read This First! (Part 2)

Teams are built around purpose. The strongest teams are built around a deep understanding of interdependence. They are built around a common goal. If you are in the soccer team and you know that when Peter has the ball and he sees you have the advantage to score, he will pass to you - now that is a team. In a team, no one is trying to sabotage the other and no one is trying to outshine the other. That is what we want in our organizations and this does not come by the traditional team building exercises that we have. In fact things can get worse after the team building if Peter and John already had their issues in the office and then Peters team trashed Johns team in the team building activities. You will be surprised how that team building exercise becomes the catalyst for more division when they get back to the office.

So, how do you build a team? First define it. The kind of team that is required must be built into the culture of the organization and as such the formation of the team will be a natural process and not a forced friendship. If we want a fun team, it must be built into the culture. If we want a selfless team, it must be built into the culture. Only when we have built these into the culture can the company away fun times make lasting sense. When each member of the team knows deep down inside them that when they need the other member to be there for them they will be there - only then can you say that you have a team. And guess what? They do not have to be friends!

You will notice that these teams are built around a common purpose and goal. They are built from a deep understanding of interdependence. They realize that each person plays a different role and for the whole to succeed there must be a smooth flow between the components. If Peter and John work together and Peter does not see how Johns success will enhance his success as Peter then nothing can make Peter and John a team.

With the right culture, even when new people come in, the power of the culture will dictate their behavior. If no one ever gossips to a new person about another person there is no way they will have the liberty to gossip. IF exclusionist behavior is not tolerated from the top, it can never thrive below.

So, before you plan your next team building remember that without the right culture, the demons you left in the office when you went away will be waiting for you when you get back. Only the right culture can exorcise organizational demons of division.