Article from the “Ex-Factor” Issue 2 - June 2005
 Tailoring Team Building with Style and “Taste” 
Mention Team Building to many staff members and they immediately produce a James Brown reaction i.e. “Cold Sweat”.
The phrase Team Building conjures up a mixture of fear, trepidation with a good dose of possible scenes of humiliation.
Images of tree climbing or worst still tree hugging; manhandling or the PC version: person handling by colleagues in an effort to build up trust with one’s work colleagues. Added to these, visions are rafting down rivers full with cold water and climbing assault courses only to jump into mud filled pits in order to bond with ones' mates. As our friend Tui would say; Yeah Right!!
For many, our immediate thoughts are those of camouflage: how to keep a secret of our many insecurities: fitness, body shapes, bodily habits, health and physique etc. Add to this the perceived outcome that after this exercise we shall become better mortals, able to walk on water rather than treading water or fighting the rapids which appear in the course of our roles on a day to day basis. There’s that water image again.
A recent Team Building workshop was held at Shirley Boys High School; a school always prepared to try something new and imaginative. For the Support Staff (32 in total) it was a workshop with a difference. The team did not know what to expect although some did wonder when they were told to wear closed in shoes for H&S reasons. The workshop had no trees just some sheets of paper, no water other than tap water, no strenuous exercise other than eating and talking about the results; this was done exceptionally well. Bodies; all shapes and sizes were encased in large aprons: not a piece of body hugging Lycra in sight!! The group buzzed with laughter, enthusiasm, loads of fun and not a sign of stress.
Set in the food technology room there were glimpses of Gordon Ramsey, shades of Jamie Oliver, possible visions of Nigella Lawson and many seasoned Alison Holsts, Alison Croftons and Julie Biusos.
The Dr. Meredith Belbin team roles were discussed and teams chosen with these identified roles in mind. Objectives were set, plans made, tasks appointed and the food was prepared and presented within record time.
The workshop was evaluated briefly with an action plan to be completed by each individual for a follow up session in the month following the workshop.
At this session the groups will assemble again and discuss the following:
- what worked well?
- were there sufficient resources i.e. tools, people?
- were communications clear when assigning tasks?
- were people assigned tasks according to their skills?
The feedback to date has been positive, everyone enjoyed the opportunity to be together; a unique experience for this type of team as well as working on a project not normally associated with the roles undertaken by the Support Staff. This workshop illustrated much in what this team contributes to the school environment.
Congratulations to Shirley Boys High School for experimenting in this type of Team Building exercise; one with a difference but proved to be a grand success.
Comments from participants:
“I really enjoyed and gained from this exercise. It was great to realise that it takes different kinds of people to make up a team and everyone has their own strengths. Being brought together as a group was a good team building exercise in itself.”
“An enjoyable afternoon – a fun and interesting way of seeing team dynamics in action!”
Comment from the Deputy Headmaster; Craig Monaghan:
“Staff were brought together in a non-threatening and fun process which put all the Support Staff on an even keel. A lot of learning evolved and most went away with a sense of themselves and why they make decisions the way they do. Most are still talking about the day and it certainly hit the spot with regards to bringing together a fragmented group.”
So all in all a very successful day.
Article appeared in The Ex-Factor
SEO Association Newsletter (School Executive Officers’ Association Incorporated)
Issue 2 June 2005
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