Building The Team

We have done a variety of activities to build teams over the years in different capacities. It is definitely all about building relationships and there are two ways of looking at getting the buy-in. In some groups the consensus is easy to attain but in others it would not matter what you came up with, someone would bock. One thing that helps though is as a leader - never ask anyone else to do what you would not do yourself. Modelling a positive attitude certainly helps in getting a positive consensus overall. 

I have done the weekend retreats in posh hotel destinations and had the coaches come for team building as well. All have their place and depending on the team can have effectiveness. 

But one team building exercise I have always enjoyed is a camping trip. Nothing like camping to get people to be real and transparent. Typically I don't insist that everyone goes. It is better that way because then seeing who makes the commitment is part of the process. I just book a week and let the team come and go all week as each schedule allows. Most opt-in for at least 3 days and that gives us valuable one-on-one times as well as those powerfully impacting activities of overcoming together. There is nothing like a summer storm, or burnt steaks and eggs in the morning to see what people are really made of and how they will work together in a crisis. You are also always surprised at who really gets into it and has a great time