It's all starting with a good diagnosis!
Look… in a previous article, we discussed the importance of correctly identifying whether one of those frequently requested team-building activities is needed. Let's be clear: it is an extremely effective tool for improving connection, empathy, empowerment and a sense of belonging within the organization, among many other benefits.
However, I also mentioned that clear objectives are essential for this training. Otherwise, it can become an empty exercise that does not improve your company’s workplace climate. Your team may be deeply divided, making it better to begin with other content and both training and non-training activities so you can observe improvement over time.
Many training firms offer these events simply because you request them, whether or not they involve activities with learning objectives. In sales, these firms are called “order takers.” But we return to the same point: if you do not need the event, its impact is short-lived.
So what do we recommend? When is team building advisable? How can you know whether this is the right moment for your corporation?
It's all starting with a good diagnosis!
First: make sure the objectives of your team building are clear. In other words, why do you want it? If your answer is “to improve teamwork,” that does not go far enough. An integration exercise, by its very name, should address that competency. But beyond that, what is needed? What problem or problems are occurring in your organization? This first question is crucial because we need to understand the reasons behind the request. Often, classroom training can resolve the problem, generally at a more affordable cost.
Second: is this a good time for your corporation to carry out this exercise? This is another essential question. For example, we have encountered organizations seeking to improve communication and teamwork. Of course we can address these competencies, but the event's effects go no further because the real development needs belong to leaders who lack even the slightest skill in these areas. In this case, it is preferable to train the leaders first and then organize team building, rather than the other way around. Otherwise, by the following Monday, everything will be exactly as before despite the effort invested in the event, because the problem lies with the “leader,” not the “team.”
Third: There must be substance based on a method or tool that identifies improvement opportunities as objectively as possible. Be clear about this: we cannot settle for “the director says...” or “the manager believes...”. Not because they are wrong, but because decisions are often made on a whim or influenced by the familiar blind spots that come from being too close to a process.
Fourth: What do we recommend? Work on two fronts. First, conduct a Training Needs Assessment (DNC) using a methodology, tools and surveys, involving senior management, managers and, where appropriate, coordinators or supervisors. They should be involved because training or HR staff are not always fully aware of each department’s improvement needs. Again, you cannot rely on “what people say” or “what the boss thinks.” Alongside this, we strongly recommend a workplace climate assessment that provides hard data on leadership, communication, the company’s image, benefits, working hours and employees’ overall perceptions of the company.
All of this will give you a fairly comprehensive picture of:
- What formal training do you require?
- Whether your corporation is ready for team building or must first work at different levels.
Why? So your spending on team building becomes a smart investment rather than an expense. For example, we avoid holding these events without prior awareness-building, a Training Needs Assessment (DNC), a SWOT (FODA) analysis, a workplace climate assessment and other hard data to establish your company’s life-cycle stage, current situation and organizational temperature.
In other words, we want what you pay for one of our fun team-building activities to be a truly greaaat investment.
Keep that in mind!
Rock´n roll people!!!
