I often tell prospective clients one of the benefits of our team building program is that it breaks down established hierarchy and enables co-workers, employees at different levels, and participants from the C-suite to interact on equal footing, without inhibition. I often see a CEO getting a gentle ribbing as a group crafts a lyric about policy or behavior and I often see real results as the interaction enables everyone to gain better insight into reasons behind certain policies or behavior. Understanding something sure makes it easier to implement.
There’s a great article here about team building hierarchy, effectiveness and trust, is drinking beer good for teambuilding? While this is not meant to endorse beer drinking as a method of team building, this outlines great goals for effective team building. And fun is an important component to the learning process. We need to be engaged to learn, and fun helps us to engage, especially as adult learners.
I recently worked with a small company and our program included everyone from the company founder to the truck drivers. There was some skepticism going into our event as to whether the group would feel comfortable brainstorming together and sharing genuine experiences. After the event, what made my client most happy was the fact that the truck drivers embraced the experience, cut-up with management and were able to share a few gripes in a positive way. I think this picture says it all, with the delivery crew center, and CEO at table to the right:
Have you had a chance to break down your usual hierarchy? I’d love to hear your story.
Billy Kirsch