Here Are The Limitations Of Most Teambuilding Programs

I have spoken to many clients about their teambuilding needs and realised that many companies want to have teambuilding programs without very clear objectives. Generic statements like the ones below are often uttered:

“We want them to be more cohesive and have a spirit of camaraderie.”

“Foster closer ties and have teamwork.”

“We have gone to __________ (insert your previous venue) before, can we go somewhere else different this time?”

I know that there are reasons behind those statements but what is it that they are really tackling? Whenever I talk to my clients, I try to help them gain clarity in their purpose to make it a fun and yet meaningful experience for them.

Most teambuilding programs have severe limitations and here are the things that it cannot do:

1.    Solve deep rooted resentment among specific individuals. If certain colleagues are already angry with each other, teambuilding programs might not be the best answer. It is better to trash it out openly between them then send them to a teambuilding program.

2.    Streamline processes in work, thus making things more efficient. You need a process consultant, not a teambuilding expert.

3.    Change corporate culture. Culture is already embedded into the company and it does not change overnight.

So, after knowing what teambuilding cannot do, the question is then “what can it do?”

1.    Inspire change in mindsets. My experience is that we can shift or break certain old patterns of thinking by introducing new ones through activities. Using activities are great because most people have better retention rates if they experience the lessons rather than just hear them through a lecture.

2.    Get people to start opening up and sharing with each other.

3.    Create a sense of belonging to the company. When people play together with each other and not against each other, there is a sense of unity.

4.    Give important principles about team concepts and winning with people. Principles are easily remembered and will not change with time.

5.    Help participants know that the company cares for them. Companies provide what I call “meaningful fun” rather than just play games and not learn anything serious.

So, before you start to choose a company for teambuilding, consider your objectives first and then get a company with a great track record. They must be consistent in providing an experience where your colleagues can feel inspired to make a change in their lives.

Here’s an interesting video on how everything goes wrong in a teambuilding exercise by American Airlines. Enjoy!

Seize the Day, Start Tomorrow

Last night I was walking pass a shop and I saw the words, “Seize the Day!” or “Carpe Diem” (in Latin). I joked with my wife that many people have heard of this phrase, but most end up saying “I will start tomorrow!”

My question is that if it is really worth doing right now, why wait?

Most people want to succeed.

Most people to change something in their lives.

Most people want to do something they like to do.

But really, a few will actually get to do it. Why? I like to suggest that most of them think of starting tomorrow and that’s where the issue is.

What’s wrong with tomorrow? Before I start, let me first explain that it is perfectly to start the next day, however what I am actually cautioning against is the idea of “I will do it when the time is right”.

Honestly, there are many times I don’t know whether the time is right or not. It just comes with an intense desire to see change and the willpower to see things through. To start seeing results, it starts by making a firm commitment to what you have said and the willpower to see it through. The right time to see change is usually NOW.

I remember fondly telling my audiences in my talks that one good way to achieve your dreams is to first WAKE UP! It is only when we wake up, we can get to take action in what we dream about.

Here are some things you can do to seize the day:

1. Do something that you have always procrastinated.
2. Work on that thing/project that you have always been talking about.
3. Spend time with people that you have always wanted to do.
4. Do something Crazy that you have never done before.

So… remember to Seize The Day and oh, by the way…. start Today!

Article Featured in Straits Times, Recruit (Pg C30- Dated Friday, 21 Mar 2010)

This is my 4th article to be featured in the Straits Times and is personally one of my favourite since a lot of people constantly ask me if motivational talks really work at all.

Read the truth behind such talks and what value it can bring.

You can read download the article here.

Failure Is Not The End, But The Beginning

Let’s face it, people hate to fail. I don’t like failing, but if I ever need to fail, I have to fail forward. Failing forward means to learn something from my experience and still do something good out of the situation.

Donald Trump, America’s biggest real estate tycoon shares in his book: Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life:

Do not view any failure as the end. Learn from your lessons quickly, then move on. Do not dwell on the failure. Start thinking big again. Fill your mind with thoughts that make you feel good, plans for the future, past successes, good things your friends said about you, anything that puts a positive spin on your inner dialogue.

I Have Learned - Very Inspiring

I came across a very inspiring poem by a famous writer Omer B. Washington … Go thru it and do share your thoughts ……

I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don’t care back.
And it’s not the end of the world.
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life,
but who you have in your life that counts.
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you’d better know something.

Do you tip in the workplace?

I believe that there are 2 lessons we can draw and apply in our workplace. Here are the following powerful techniques on motivating your staff to work hard and get results! Here are my thoughts: 1. Do we ‘tip’ our staff before they work? At the end of each tour, tour guides are usually given tips. However, what do you think will happen if you were to give it to them right from the beginning of the tour? Do you think their attitude will change and you will get better service? I know that this is a rather unconventional, but I am sure that it will get results. Even in our workplace, have you considered rewarding your staff this way? This means that we actually reward our staff even before they even start their work. We are actually telling them that this is what we need to do and if we achieve it, more reward will come. This powerful technique actually demonstrates your leadership in helping to bring the desired future into the present and excite your staff when they work towards getting results. Bill Zander writes in his book together with Donald Trump “Think big and kick ass in business and in life” that he effectively rewarded his employees straight with big wads of cash (USD $10,000) even before they started the New Year. He tells them that “This is just a taste of the riches about to come your way.” Some of the staff called back home to tell their husbands and wives about their bonuses and their spouses told them to concentrate on the retreat while they took care of the kids back home. If you take care of your staff, your staff will take care of the company for you. 2. Do we ‘tip’ our staff well? If a tour guide does his/her job fairly well, they are rewarded for their efforts. They already know what their rewards will be and are willing to work hard for it. Do our staff know what how they will be rewarded if they work hard? Many times, most managers do not know how to set specific rewards to motivate their staff towards organisational effectiveness. Simple rewards other than money can be given, here are some that I recommend: Staff recognition for adhering to deadlines, letting a staff go back early after a tedious project they completed, buying them movie tickets and saying that you want them to take a break and bring their kids out for a show. Even a simple acknowledgement in front of the rest of the staff is important in the motivation process. We should seek to reward and emphasize GOOD behaviour rather than keep disciplining bad behaviour. So… how are you going to tip your staff from now onwards?