Never a good sign when one resorts to cliché, is it?
But honestly, it's the best I can do today. And it feels true.
I'm a bit grumpy because I'm being dragged off tomorrow (along with 36 of my colleagues) to one of those team-building, team-bonding, team-away-day things that's actually going to take two days instead of one and where we are to be forced to build bridges and roll in mud and then talk at length about how we are going to translate the competition, cooperation and camaraderie back into the workplace.
Don't get me wrong. I don't mind building a bridge (tried it before and it's quite fun) and I have no objection to mud (as long as there's a nice hot bath to follow). I have no problem spending time with (most of) these people. I'm not a big fan of forced competition but I'll do my bit for the team - 100% (or is that 110%?). I don't mind talking about stuff (quite like it actually) and I think there is definitely something to be said for bonding with my colleagues (although I generally prefer to choose how, when, and with whom I share...) and how this translates back into the way we relate and work together.
These events seem just so contrived to me. So contrived. I hate contrived.
We don't need to be told/forced/facilitated to build relationships in this way, do we? We seem to be doing okay all on our own, thank you. It happens naturally or it doesn't. Surely?
Or is it just me?
Anyway, I'm trying to be positive about it. After all, every cloud...
And aren't those pictures gorgeous?
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8 comments:
Contrivance is correct! I have been to these sorts of things, one for four long days. It was total bullshite, and yes, there were a couple of worthy moments but over all just another way to justify somebody's imposition into your own psyche, and pocket the fee. Might be OK for teenager angst, trying to get footing, but, really, YOU??? A beautiful evening with a fabulous dinner and music might be a better "bonding" experience, or, for the expense of the "bridge building" give every participant the cash and let them go shopping together! LOVE the moody shots- so like my day here in the PNW,under heavy grey sky.I do not envy your day in the mud with "the team"...agony! I will burn a bright candle for you!
Ack! Team building is terrible.
Love the clouds, though. And maybe there will be something unexpectedly wonderful there. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
hope the day is ok tomorrow! Love the photos :)
I always find it strange that organisations still insist on sending their staff to these so-called tean-building exercises. In my experience they do not lead to better work relationships at all; attendees merely tend to confirm their suspicions or prejudices about work colleagues on such a 'course', and in any case people quickly revert back to their original and true selves after a few days back on the job.
I'm totally with you here. Feeling obliged to build relationships for the sake of the company competition's goals is so..boring !!
Perhaps this is why i'm freelance now.
But try to enjoy these 2 days. and think of your lovely studio place you're going to redecorate to spend some creative work on your own!
:-)
and yes these pics are just gorgeous...
Hopefully they won't make you do the trust fall . . .
Great pics!
hooray for forced relationships!!!
you are so right, a team's relationship should flow naturally out of everyone's committment to the work. the people who most need the team-building activities never seem to learn from them.
I hope it was tolerable.
Thank you one and all!!! I sometimes feel like a salmon swimming upstream around here when it comes to these things, so it's reassuring to know that you understand (and empathise with) my reservations about the event.
As my expectation was at best to find a silver lining, and I did, I guess it wasn't too bad. No trust fall at least! :)
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