by Joan Cook
Returning to a favorite topic, here’s a key question from a previous post: the work we do with teams
takes place in the classroom, working on the fundamentals of becoming a highly effective team. Having participated in numerous experiential
teambuilding activities over the years myself (ropes courses, games,
etc.), I appreciate the strong sense of camaraderie that develops over
the course of the experience. It would seem that a combination of the
two: classroom and experiential—would be ideal. If all a group of
people ever experiences in coming together as a team is a ropes course
or a game, where/how do they learn the process skills for the long haul?
Similarly, I wonder if classroom team process training should be enhanced by or
integrated with experiential exercises that drive home the learning and
anchor the feeling of what it means to be a team, in order to produce optimal learning. My sense is the answer is probably yes.
Unfortunately, experiential teambuilding processes such as ropes courses, kayaking, riding horses, etc. are often seen as the "kumbaya" approach to fostering skillful teamwork. Companies invest in them but then wonder why the effects don't last. Experience is indeed a great teacher, but it's got to be backed up by a solid commitment to team process and a deep understanding of what that means. Everyone understands the tactical (getting the work done), but few understand team process (how it gets done). It's relatively easy to work together when there's only two people involved, but when two become 6 or 7 or 8, suddenly the rules of the game change. Teams need to know how to build trust, engage in productive conflict, create commitment, hold each other accountable, stay focused on results, create and sustain compelling meetings, and discipline themselves to apply these principles consistently, or teamwork ain't happening, ropes course or no.
Comments are welcome.
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