Teambuilding – the Myth Debunked

When the idea of an afternoon teambuilding event was recently floated before a group of business professionals, the mood in the room immediately changed. Suggesting group root canals would have been better received! “Childish,” “waste of time,” “what’s the point,” were some of the immediate comments. But with a bit of encouragement from upper management, the group stayed with the idea, and in the end, they were pleased.

The overall theme of the activity was “working together.” The target was a group of decision-makers who, in their professional lives, sometimes forget that others in their organization may have a great idea to consider. The event was casual in nature, choosing to have the lessons learned through fun games on the beach rather than a lecture in a meeting room. None of the challenges were too strenuous, and all had a definite element of humor. Of course, a competitive spirit was present, but laughter and cheering were more evident throughout the event.

Held on the beach along Florida’s Atlantic coast, each challenge had a defined area, and the teams worked their way through each one under the warm sun. Lots of chilled water and Gatorade fueled the “Olympians.” The teams wore different colored “team shirts,” got right in the spirit, and the two-hour event flew by. Current standings were not divulged, keeping the outcome a secret until the awards dinner that evening. Watching teams claim “victories” throughout the afternoon fueled the competition. The afternoon ended with an impromptu “splash battle” in the ocean, as most participants took to the water after the games concluded.

Post-meeting surveys confirmed that the event had the desired effect and was appreciated as a fun way to learn how to work together. Those who participated in this year’s event are surely the best ambassadors for future “Olympics.”

The team at Covington Meetings & Events is ready to help make your next meeting a gold medal event. From a structured, business-only agenda to one that allows for a different kind of networking, we’ll manage all the elements of your meeting, incentive, or event to ensure a winning outcome.