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Icebreakers
9

Icebreakers

Icebreakers

(OP)
All,

Our human resources manager, in his infinate wisdom, has decided that there is a lack of synergy in our technical group and is planning a team building day.  He has asked for suggestions for games or icebreakers to focus on listening, team work, and "getting to know each other outside of work".  Have any of you been to these type of outings?  What is your opinion on this, and/or have you participated in any helpful or, dare I say, entertaining icebreakers???

RE: Icebreakers

2
I've been through dozens of these things and if your company is just starting this process my advice is QUIT THE COMPANY BEFORE YOU WASTE WHOLE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK.

The only one of these things that didn't make me want to shove a spoon in my ear was a volunteer day for Habitat for Humanity.  No "rah rha", no "ice breakers", just hard work that helps the community.

David

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

The harder I work, the luckier I seem

RE: Icebreakers

Heh heh... rather than wasting a full day with nonsense I guess it would make more sense to analyse WHY there's a lack of synergy. The behaviour of a group or a department usually depends on their objectives.

The maintenance department has to reduce their budget. That's why they're reluctant to do any maintenance. They would even complain before they fix the light in the toilet. They're not "team players". Duh - they're just trying to meet the objective that was given to them.

I've had my share of entertaining icebreakers. They do help to get to know your colleagues. They can be a lot of fun. They will not help reach synergy though, imho.

RE: Icebreakers

Sounds like you have new mngmt in last couple years! It's their way of looking like they know what they are doing!
Wast of time IMO.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Actually, the management's been here for quite awhile.  I think the problem lies in the tech group.  We've had significant turn-over in recent years (several people quitting, getting fired, restructuring and moving into operations, etc.), and now have a diverse group (from an experience stand point).  One of the members has been here ~15 years, another has about 10 years experience, but only been here 2.5 years, others are very young and just out of college, then we also have a couple of interns/co-ops.  A lot of different personalities in a small area.  One of the group was just fired a few months ago and we're all trying to take on extra work to cover the absence until he's replaced.  Morale is pretty low overall.  I think they're just trying to re-motivate the group.

RE: Icebreakers

At a smaller company I worked for for 10 years, Business was good, and we woekd a lot of stressfull hours. We'd go to Hooters for a long lunch just about every Friday. Definately a good way to wind up the week. Oh yea, the boss would buy. Of course, it was just 6 employees. I find it was good for becoming friends with your coworkers, and getting to know them personally. I think it let us work more closely, and get along better overall.
Of course, when the economy started to wain, and money got tight, this stopped.
I think a company picnic, or open house is highly underated. As it is, I've been here for 2 months, and barely know names of half the people I work with. (100 employees)

David

RE: Icebreakers

I've always found the first thing people say at ice-breaker type events when they are made to talk to each other is "I hate these kinds of things". The most successful events I've been to have been straightforward social occasions like a trip to a comedy club or a bowling alley or a barbeque. Contrary to the opinion of most management types, people will talk to each other without having to take part in stupid games and exercises!

RE: Icebreakers

Schedule a bowling night with your Tech Group, bowl a few "beer frames"... what more is needed?

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Icebreakers

Nude company picnic.

RE: Icebreakers

The best teambuilding we've done tends to be either a relatively informal night out with some beer and food after bwling / paintballing / karting / whatever. Giving people shared things to laugh about gives them common ground for the future: "Do you remember when I whupped your ass at bowls...?" "Yeah, but it was funnier when I shot you two dozen time at paintball and ran over your foot karting...". These events can build a team relationship close to brotherhood given time and the right people in the group.

So far as I have seen, rigidly organised HR events don't work - you can't force people to build relationships. As was said before, the most common reaction at the ones I have attended is to deride the latest round of HR nonsense being foisted upon us.

----------------------------------

One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Vooter,

Something you've participated in, or just a suggestion??

RE: Icebreakers

vooter, I hope you work with better looking people than I do. I would have to take zdas04's spoon and stick it in my eyes instead of my ear.

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Foada,

I second that!!!!!  I think the male population would get a lot more out of an outing like that where I work than the female population would.  That wasn't exactly the type of "team bonding" I was referring to.

RE: Icebreakers

Objection your honor! Some engineers dress so lousily that they actually do look better with their clothes off.

RE: Icebreakers

2
Is this a bit like "Alcoholics anonymous"?
Will you all have to get up and say things like "Hi, I'm Mutt and I'm a workaholic. I want to be a team player"
Could make a great fly on the wall documentary...

In the UK there is a program called "Investors in People" which involves a lot of external specialists coming in and surveying the company. This usually happens when the Management finally recognise that there is a problem and that ad nauseum repeats of restructuring, downsizing, rationalising etc etc may be beginning to take a toll on the remaining workers.

This program lasts for just as long as the Management think it is a worker problem and is dropped when the inevitable reports start to come back that it is a management problem.

"Team Bonding" exercises are usually a unilateral attempt by one manager to get browny points and he thinks it represents a win win situation for him (he did something and its not his fault all anyone was interested in was getting to the bar).

Incidentally Managers ideas about "Team work" usually require everyone from the contract cleaners to the big boss having a say in things they know nothing about but usually fall short of recognising that every team needs a captain to take decisions and responsibilities.

I think I'll side with Dave (Zdas04) on this one.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Icebreakers

do you mean :
>  their clothing is infected with lice?
>  they look like lice when they're dressed?
>  they are simply repulsive when they're dressed
>  they wear too much clothing?

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=lousily

Obviously, it's moot, but I wanted to know, given that I'm probably one of "some engineers" that you're referring to.

TTFN



RE: Icebreakers

Actually, the purpose of the nude company picnic is to make sure HR will never again suggest icebreaking/team-building activities.

RE: Icebreakers

If we had a nude company picnic, I would be out of work for weeks sick! I should be allowed to drink on the job, that would break the ice!

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Here's what has been suggested so far:

Spending an entire 8hr day (normal work hours) out of the plant and outdoors, breakfast and lunch provided, with minimal expenses, (The teambuilding budget is not well funded.)and possibly a social event afterwords like bowling, going to the bar, etc.  They want to make the first 8 hours mandatory and the social event optional.

Some of the suggestions for games/ice breakers so far are the human knot, where everyone stands in a circle, entangles their arms and grasps hands with two different people in the goup.  The objective is to work together to untangle the knot without letting go of any of the hands.  

Another is where everyone is blindfolded and given an animal sound.  Sounds are assigned in pairs, and each group has to find each other making only their animal sound and no talking.  The objective here would be to learn to listen to one another.  

Also, they're talking about a scavenger hunt throughout the community to get people out and about and working together for a common goal.

So far, the nude picinic has not yet been suggested

RE: Icebreakers

I've had pretty good luck with these "team building" events at my work.  There are two types: the whole company (roughly 600 people in the metropolitan area), and just our small group (4 of us).  The large group picnic and christmas parties are nice because it's free food and they go ALL OUT.  As far as it becoming an "ice-breaker" event... well, it's not that great, but like i said: free food, drinks, and lots of prizes.  The "team-building" day with the small group was great because we skipped one afternoon of work and went to the baseball game.  Again: free food, free drinks, and add on a professional baseball game.  These things happen about twice a year, so it's not like we miss much work for them.

RE: Icebreakers

"Another is where everyone is blindfolded and given an animal sound.  Sounds are assigned in pairs, and each group has to find each other making only their animal sound and no talking.  The objective here would be to learn to listen to one another."

That's idiotic.  The problem with getting people to listen to each other isn't about failure to pay attention to an acoustic signal, it's about failure to pay attention to the message one is communicating when they talk.  "No talking" focuses on the wrong aspect.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Icebreakers

I used to work in a group of about 15-20 in Chicago.  The best team-building things we did were trips to see the White Sox get thrashed by whoever showed up to play against them.  I'm not sure how it was funded though - it sort of went on expenses, signed off by someone who was fired a few years later.

Since then, departmental BBQs are the best.  The boss (by definition) has a big enough garden to be the host.  And spouses/children always assist the general mingling.  When you have to introduce your spouse to a near-stranger that you've worked with for many years but never really spoken to, barriers are broken down.

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Hg,

I completely agree.  I'm not sure what it would accomplish other than to make us all look like idiots wandering around blindfolded, bumping into each other, making strange animal noises.  Might be amusing for the occasional stranger who happens to be walking his/her dog in the vicinity of all the commotion; heck, it might even be amusing for the dog!!!

RE: Icebreakers

3
I conclude that Catbert is your evil HR director. HR only sets up activities like the human knot and blindfolded animal sounds so they can sit back an be entertained by torturing otherwise productive employees.

Perky HR managers are the only ones that love this sort of thing, with the exception of the butt kissers that tell management how it was a wonderful and valuable exercise.

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
"I conclude that Catbert is your evil HR director. HR only sets up activities like the human knot and blindfolded animal sounds so they can sit back an be entertained by torturing otherwise productive employees."


Here, here!!! A star for you!

RE: Icebreakers

My suggestion:  Stretching exercises followed by a 5-rhythms movement workshop lead by a professional instructor. Google '5 rhythms' if you want more info.  Find a local instructor and call, or go to a workshop and check it out for yourself.  It does not require a special gift for movement or dance.

The whole thing will take about 2-1/2 hours.  The stretching is good to get people moving who normally don't do enough.  It's good for the body and the mind.  It gets your blood moving which helps with clear thinking as well as purging toxins and acid build-up in muscles.

There is a meditation aspect which focuses on self-awareness.  There are usually exercises that require an interaction with different partners such as mirroring movement or making the reverse movement.  This will improve awareness and communication with others that is fun and non-threatening.

I did a shortened version that just involved stretching at a project site yesterday.   The consultants and contractors were waiting for the plaintiff's expert to show up and I could not get over how many were groaning in pain first thing in the morning.  I insisted a few get up and do the stretching with me, as a way to pass the time that did not include eating doughnuts, drinking coffee and bitching about their wives, children jobs, clients, etc.

Yes, I was ridiculed, however the people who participated told me later that it made a real difference in how they felt physically and in their general attitude.  Two actually asked if I would do the same thing each morning for the week.
 
It beats walking around blindfolded and barking like a dog!

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Excellent idea, I've been looking for something worth suggesting that may actually have some value.  Thanks, Cass!

I don't think avoidance will be an option; as I previously stated, they are planning on making attendance mandatory.  I am really looking for suggestions like this.

Social events after-hours are a given, but they're specifically looking for activities that can occur during the day, outside, and would be beneficial to the team that don't cost money (very little if at all).

Whether or not it works or actually ocurrs, I have no control over, but I do have the opportunity to suggest useful activities.  I'd rather not bark like a dog, honk like a goose, or roar like a lion if I don't have to; I'm a little rusty on my animal noises and would probably make a fool out of myself.

RE: Icebreakers

Now the downside, taking the whole department offline for 8hrs means the whole department is going to lose 8hrs from its schedule.
Are managment negotiating etensions to all those projects or are they going to expect them to be brought in on time regardless?
This is where these schemes can get counterproductiive since they put on more presure and build more resentment....

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Icebreakers

Our company outings are planned months in advance and usually occur during the weekday, but never on a Friday.  Because of this, we are all expected to plan our work accordingly and if things run late, we are still expected to be into work on time the next day and oozing with productivity.  Our managers are a good example of playing hard, but working hard as well.  I thought it would suck, but it hasn't had any negative affects on me or others in my group.  And like I said earlier, these big functions only occur about twice a year.  They are also optional, so if you don't want to go to the picnic (which occurs during work hours) you have to work instead, or else take vacation time or a sick day.

RE: Icebreakers

I never thought that "blindfolds" and "animal sounds" could sound bad when used together...

What are the chances of organizing a paintball field trip?  Divide into groups, team building and team splatting, managers vs workers, whatever.  Most fields offer discounted weekday and group rates.  Great for "self-expression" and stress reduction.

Some other things I have seen that I think were nice include random photos taken of everyone and everygroup in the company.  This was turned into a slideshow in PowerPoint and set to good music, which was projected onto a screen.  It showed that everyone has a function in the big scheme of things.

I've also seen giant foam "tinker toys" used (similar to pool floats).  Workers split into groups, and elect team captians.  A structure is shown to the captain, and he/she has to relate the instructions back to the team to build it properly.  Fosters communications and team work.

Also, simple things such as a potluck lunch can go a long way.  Everyone brings a dish, and everyone takes a 2hr lunch.  You'll hear such phrases as, "I didn't know you could cook?" or "I never knew SPAM could taste so good."

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Icebreakers

I think you should consider yourself fortunate that management is even concerned with team building.  The companies that I've worked at that attempted such things were the better ones, whether or not the specific ideas were good.  They made sure that the employees felt like they "belonged".
The ones that never attempted it seemed to suffer from a lack of communication and commitment as well as a high turnover rate.

RE: Icebreakers

I wonder if Milton thought he "belonged".  Regardless, I don't think he would ever resign...

RE: Icebreakers

I just remembered another successful team building.  We once did a scavenger hunt (for information) in the local Museum of Natural History.  The musuem had prepared a list of obscure facts that can be gleaned from the write-up for the displays in the museum.  We broke into teams of three and did the first half.  Then we had lunch, laughed at the teams that had found nothing, talked about strategy, then combined teams into teams of 6 and did the second half.  It really was a lot of fun.

We did a paintball once (1996) that created angers and hard feelings that still exist today.  One manager got shot so many times (by both teams) that it affected his self image (I guess) and now he's left engineering and is running a greasy spoon in the mountains.  He never was the same after he found out how universally he was hated.  Other cheep shots made for long term animosity.  That day was a disaster.

David

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

The harder I work, the luckier I seem

RE: Icebreakers

Yes there's a certain risk in candid communication and getting to know each other.

You can't force colleagues to be friends. You can only try to make them work together by assigning common goals to them rather than contradictory ones.

My experience with these one-off team events is that any benefical effect will last anywhere between 0 and 48 hours max if nothing fundamental is changed in the working environment itself (goals and/or organisation structure and/or certain people).

RE: Icebreakers

Of course, it depends on what the bonding is actually meant to achieve. My team are currently bonding better than any HR guru could ever hope for, but the glue holding us together is despair over the failings of management and the certainty that the project will fail. I think them on high would prefer us in separate little pools of blind optimisim than one big team getting together around the coffee machine and in the break room to list new and exciting ways in which things are going wrong!

RE: Icebreakers

Quote:

I wonder if Milton thought he "belonged".  Regardless, I don't think he would ever resign...

 - mumbling -

Just make sure the ratio of people to cake is acceptable.

RE: Icebreakers

"Spending an entire 8hr day (normal work hours) out of the plant and outdoors, breakfast and lunch provided, with minimal expenses, (The teambuilding budget is not well funded.)and possibly a social event afterwords like bowling, going to the bar, etc.  They want to make the first 8 hours mandatory and the social event optional."

That is a wonderful idea.  But jmw's points out a pitfall if the work load is not pushed out a day also.

In my experience events like this and bringing in lunch one a month or so can be very helpful.  The key is this can't be a one time event.  Team building is a long process and building strong long lasting teamwork cannot be achieved by one event.

idea - have the management cook burgers and hotdogs and participate in the fun.  Moral is just as easy to suffer from distant uncaring bosses just as much as lack of teamwork.

Also consider sending out a "feedback" card so participants can tell you how it went and make suggestions for another event so they feel involved in the process.  Make sure it's anonymous though.

epoisses point about correcting any "problems" in the work place is something that should not be forgotten.

**************
Let us know what you ended up doing and how the event went!!  

RE: Icebreakers

One note of caution;
I attended one of these things where the animals noises thing was brought out. Every one was given a piece of paper which described the animal they had to imitate. We were all exorted to make the sound as loudly as possible.
I was somewhat disappointed (being naive at the time) that my piece of paper said "Do nothing but look ready".
At the cue one poor bloke did a truly amazing Jack-ass impersonation but was somewhat distribed to discover e was the only one to have been given an animal. It isn't just paint-ball guns that can cause problems.
So, if you get the piece of paper with "Jackass or Donkey" written on it, make sure your CV is up to date.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Icebreakers

That's evil.  Why would they do that?

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Icebreakers

Because they're HR types. Or evil. The two terms are pretty interchangeable.

----------------------------------

One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!

RE: Icebreakers

I'm just trying to figured out what imagined team-building purpose singling one person out for humiliation could serve.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Icebreakers

I think they thought it would be funny.
No accounting for taste.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Icebreakers

Where I work, the HR department consists of the best morons out there; none of whom are able to give a lucid, intelligent response to any question you may ask them about your health insurance, 401k program, salary, or other.
It's no surprise to me that any HR department would try to pull some retarded "group bonding" activity.
Maybe HR departments are run by architects....

RE: Icebreakers

I suggest watching "The Office" marathon this coming Wednesday with the team, or rent "Office Space".

It'll make your team feel much better.

RE: Icebreakers

Hold on bucko, our friend Casseopeia is an Architect. Better take it back and apoligize right now!

RE: Icebreakers

Cassie, I thought you said you wuz a structural engineer?

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Icebreakers

(OP)
Thanks for all the feedback.  The event day is currently scheduled for September 15th, and we're having a planning meeting sometime next week (yes, more valuable working time being wasted on this wonderful event with no deadline extensions to compensate).  I think you've all made valid points and have provided some good suggestions.  I'll let you know how it goes!!

Thanks again,
CF

RE: Icebreakers

I'll be able to sit for the SE exam in about a year to 18 months.   I will then have a dual license, architect and structural engineer.  Comes in handy for court testimony.

Currently I can only testify in CA about 'non-structural' issues like paint, waterproofing, sealants and special coatings.  Apparently the fact that I'm not, and never will be, a chemical engineer is no problem!

It's OK to slam architects.  No need to apologize.  So many deserve it.  I've spent a career fixing many of the problems created by architects.  Haven't seen that many by engineers.  Professionally, I've always been in an engineering role, even when I was designing hospitals, prisons and hangers for the DMA.  There is more engineering than archtecture for those types of structures.

Socially I'd rather hang out with engineers, too!

Gotta run, or I'd be one-handed typing here all day.  Might have gotten my pinkie broken by the opposing attorney on site today.  I must find myself a bucket of ice and a strong drink.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: Icebreakers

I've seen a fair share of engineers who need to be slammed.

RE: Icebreakers

My company is headquartered in Florida, so our "team building" excercises have all been fishing trips. We are a small company  so we can't all go at once. The groups have been cross-disciplinary; engineering, management, production, accounting etc. in each group, with informal "bragging rights" contests on fish quantity, size, species etc. It has been fun, but has it fostered synergy? IMHO, not really.

The communications and expectation problems continue on. The root causes are not a lack of team effort, but a lack of management being willing to accept the underlying problems; you can't have team effort with sacred cow employees and a reward (pay) structure that indirectly pits one group against the other. Fishing trips, stretching excecises or blindfolded aminal mating rituals can't fix underlying structural defects. It's like assuming that the problem with your building is the paint job, when in fact the paint is bad because the walls are disolving underneath.

"Our virtues and our failings are inseparable, like force and matter. When they separate, man is no more."   
Nikola Tesla

RE: Icebreakers

It's got to be difficult to socialize with people after work when they act like butt holes all day. Also, the people I would like to hang out with don't use silly words like synergy and paradigm.

RE: Icebreakers

Fishing trips? Man! I'd like to work for a company that takes fishing trips! Now THAT is a great team-builder. Nude fishing trips might be an option, too!

EngJW: "It's got to be difficult to socialize with people after work when they act like butt holes all day"

That's one of the reasons I don't even like the company X-mas, er "holiday" party or summer picnic - except for the alcohol. Wait, that makes it worse, or at least more dangerous for me since strong drink is a mocker... Seriously, I have people I would call "friends" at work, but my real friends aren't at work, that's why it's work. Frankly, if everyone left me alone to crank out designs (and surf Eng-Tips) I'd be happy...

Again, on a serious note, when the people you work for and with have power-dynamics issues, why even bother with 'em?

RE: Icebreakers

I choose whether to attend company fuctions based upon the particular company work culture. My current employer has weekend training seminars a couple of times a year. While they are useful, its the "after hours" evening behavior that offends me. I don't get any particular joy from seeing grown men get wildly drunk and attempt to cheat on their spouses, just because they are away from home. This behavior is even engaged in by the company owner.

RE: Icebreakers

Although I enjoy drinking, it is definitely not a team sport, especially if not everyone at the company does it, and there is little chance that they do.

Seriously though, I heard about a TBE where everybody gets a nerf blaster, they go into a room, and shoot each other with gund that fire nerf arrows and balls.  People get to shoot at the assholes that piss them off, everyone regresses to their childhood days, and fun begins.  I've only read about it, so it don't know if it works from experience.  I believe the icebreaker depends on generating laughter.  Laughter is the best medicine.  If one person is not having a good time, they can spoil the team.  

RE: Icebreakers

I just read one that gave me an idea - get everyone together for some calesthenics, only hire some actor guy to come in like Richard Simmons and be a total clown.  Some people may go along for a while, but eventually, it would have to be funny.  It is funny to me as I think about it - like Will Farrell  farting while doing situps.  

Its a bad idea probably, but it is outrageous, and so use it only if you wish to mock the system, which is itself outrageous at times.

One that I did one time was everyone has to make a motion and a sound like a machine.  Everyone becomes part of the machine.  They let people join in as they were willing and nobody can stop until everyone becomes part of the machine.  I thought it was OK and I understood the psychology, but most thought it was stupid, and the committee I was on voted to not have team building events anymore.

RE: Icebreakers

I started to read some of this and found myself laughing - then I got scared - and I mean really scared.....

Are there companies out there that can really see the benefits of carrying out tasks like these ? do the benefits outweigh the negative effects of giving up a day to undertake these events ?

Im sorry but I have a problem with HR, who do I go to speak about that someone in HR? are you kidding ?

We had an incident a few months back something went pear shaped, BIG TIME, you know people start to come out of the woodwork people Ive read about in company literature, and they were sweating, we were working and I mean working like crazy to try and prevent the site rolling over. We all did it we all worked as a team and we found the way to make it work, when you are that close you do what is required and you do work in a team - it cant be avoided, So going back to this standing around in a huge circle trying to untangle arms, who thought this up who thought about it properly ? Some bozo in HR that has read a book about how to team build written buy some cretin that has realised that he can make money by writing this sort of stuff ?

Sorry but Im paid to do a job and I do that job, I dont like this bonding thing one bit, the only bonding I do is running a 6mm down and bolting it to a frame to ground it properly, Hey maybe we could start by grounding those arty farty HR peeps in the real world - get them down at ground level when the smelly stuff starts to fly around or would that be too real and stressfull for 'em?

Rugged

RE: Icebreakers

I'm thinking something like this:

Well, well, well. Now, as your management told you, my name is Matt Foley, and I am a motivational speaker! (adjust belt) Before I begin, I want to tell you a little about myself, so you'll know where I'm coming from. First off, I am 35 years old.. I am thrice divorced.. and I live in a van down by the river!   

RE: Icebreakers

In an early era, when people worked cradle to grave for the same company, this sort of thing would never have been thought of and would have been unnecessary.
That isn't to say that people enjoyed work or were not exploited, just that today people are more mobile and disatisfaction means people will simply move on.

The issue isn't with the workers, they don't need team building or any of that stuff, they need an incentive to stay.

The sollution isn't with the workers, it is, as usual, with the managers and they have yet to accept that they are the source of the problem. It is why they so quickly abandon programs (largely adopted for PR reasons) like "Investors in People" once they se the "truth" emerging.

Today there is even less to like about management than ever before because management can today cloak itself in its "responsibility to the shareholders", the "just following orders" excuse (fewer privately owned companies).

The flaw in all these exercises is exposed when you ask why you are doing it? For your benefit or the companies?

I need say no more.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Icebreakers

jmw yep you have a grasp of it - investors in people ? Nope what matters is profit and that is where they pour the effort - that aint a bad thing as long as it is carried out ethically, When they start running all this psycobabble it is genuinely scary - how many people have went on these things and then discussed thier problems and then found that nothing happened about it ? Why ? Because we really really dont matter, I try to get all my satisfaction out there with my family and personal life and work well work is that thing we have to do to pay the bills and live.
If the lottery came up would I give up work ? Hell yes with not even a thought about it, after all if I had enought to live on without having to work why would there be any reason to work ? Do I really enjoy spending time away from my family and stuck in traffic and listening bull that much that i would have to ponder on the decision ?

Hmmmm Im going off on one - time for a coffee break and get some work done.

rugged

RE: Icebreakers

Mon Cher ChemFemme,
The fact that HR is involved in this looks like a staff evaluation effort to find a basis for weeding out. They may be looking for out-of-the-ordinary behavior. Proceed with caution.

The best outing we had as a management staff was a week long outing to the Queen Mary, Long Beach, some years ago. Key individuals gave talks in the AM, and we did the recreation locations in the PM and evening. Q&A sessions served to remove the fog about our sister operations.

RE: Icebreakers

Joining a softball league is fun.  Every friday we have a game, and every monday through friday it gives us a common "bitch", which is really the best way to build synergy.  

No matter who it is at the water cooler:
"Man, if we had just stopped them in the 3rd inning."
"Yeah, its ok.  When playoffs show up, we'll be ready."

RE: Icebreakers

Hii...I have some ideas..I have faced these actions at a Team building training in Brazil..

a) Ask to each member of you team to write something in a peace o paper...one personal information..one thing that only the person know...so next step collect all peace of papers and mixed...ask to each member take one and read..and asked ot your team to guess who is the person? You´re gonna have a surprise how your team don´t know one each other...at the end you already help the sinergy!!


Just a example...try!!

RE: Icebreakers

At my last job we folded our softball team. It was ruining our safety record.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

RE: Icebreakers

My company had the annual summer picnic yesterday.  Not too bad this time, but our Safety and Risk management director was worried about injuries during the limbo competition.

RE: Icebreakers

Hey Zo40 -

Wasn't a naked company picnic was it??!

RE: Icebreakers

Going on the annual company golf outing today.  All groups: sales, engineers, HR, management... all of us.  Teams are all mixed up and we have a scramble.  Alcohol is involved, so let the mixing and icebreaking begin!

RE: Icebreakers

we don't have manager from 4 months and in our team we are two members and we don't know what is other person doing ! It sucks ! I have initiated sharing losts of things updating him as if he is my boss but nothing works ! We just can't work out ! I don't know is it a personal matter or his attitued in general !


The problem becomes worst when I am given more responsibilites ! coz I am busy doing things and I am not involved what else is going on with him !

Does anyone has an idea how to ressolve this situation?

RE: Icebreakers

No nudity, but it reminded me of a cruise: drinking, eating, line dancing, limbo...
They even had the electric slide running on a loop for about 20 min.  
Well, all-in-all it was ok despite the cheesiness.

RE: Icebreakers

ChemFemme,

I have been to one of those 8 hour, off-site, listen-all-day things. Frankly, it wasn't worth the paper that the notes were written on. IMHO. One event that I found to boost morale happened at an engineering firm that I used to work for. We had been busting our humps to get a project completed in an impossible time-frame (aren't they all?). The municipality that we were working for knew that it was impossible. Through long hours, weekends etc. we completed the project on time. As a "thank you" the firm took everyone that worked on the project out to lunch on a Friday afternoon. After lunch had been ordered and a couple of beers had been consumed per person, the Project Manager stood up and announced that we had done such a good job that the management had agreed to give all of us the rest of the day off with pay. It seemed to boost morlae fairly well. The important aspect of this is to periodically show appreciation to the crew on a continual basis. It doesn't have to be every day or every week, but, occasionally let the workers know that their efforts are noticed AND appreciated. Next time there is a need for the "extra yard" the crew will be more likely to step up.

Hope this helps,
Paul

RE: Icebreakers

I like the game Scrupples.  

We have been out to places like Incredible Pizza for all you can eat pizza plus video games, go carts, bumper cars, put put golf.

RE: Icebreakers


Zo40 -

I was referring to Vooters suggestion and Chem Femmes reply about 8 replies in !

RE: Icebreakers

Thanks andy, but I DID know you were being sarcastic in reference to Vooter.  Just thought I play along too.

RE: Icebreakers

Take everyone out for a day of playing paintball. Team work takes on new meaning when you're getting shot at.

And shooting at each other should help to work out any personal frustrations.

Vince

RE: Icebreakers

Maybe, but if you can't kill your boss he may seek revenge back at the office.

RE: Icebreakers

Ductmate,
See my 10 Aug 05 21:59 post above.  Paintball is a really bad idea for team building.

David

RE: Icebreakers

We went to a team building / personel development 3 day course. Run at an outward bound centre by two 'professional' people.

The first morning was the usual introductions, who you are what you do and which site you are based at. This was followed by "What do you hate / fear? We will get you to face up to these fears and overcome them"

The first person picked on mumbled he did not like hights and was told by the end of the course he would be climbing masts.
The second person said at nearly 60 she was not bother about overcoming any fears and they where staying private. This got an abrubt ok and a look that said we will deal with you later.
The third person with a completly straigh face expained that he had always had on fear and that he hoped they could help him over come this. Egars questions from the instructors as to what the fear was. "Being alone in a room full of nymphomanic women" was the reply.
Instructor loosed rag says not to be silly.
Rest of room is in histerics, real good team building.
Rest of the time was fun but not much use

RE: Icebreakers

Now is the time to wonder if these "team building" events aren't actually all too effective.
I just read that one of the London Tube bombers recently went white water rafting in Wales withone or more of his co-bombers and is said to have favoured team building events such as this and paintballing as part of the brainwashing techniques.

That's good enough reason for me to stay away. If suicide bombers find it that effective then I wish to remain a confirmed cynic. I am not sure I want to be part of a "team" that much.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Icebreakers

Look on the bright side. The bastards might drown.

----------------------------------

One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!

RE: Icebreakers

there's a ton of replies here.  i read the first 15 or so.

ive been to Go-Kart days with a company.  It was a ton of fun.  Also worked for a company that brought in a masseusee every other friday and gave 30 minute massages to employees.   they were both fun and i loved them... but what do i know, im just 25. :)

oh and i dont work in either of those companies haha.

RE: Icebreakers

Odd gaps in HR (abb. for Human Remains) understanding - are they universal?

1. Failure to realise that it's bad form to be the only department in a company that expands as said company carries out downsizing activities
2. A general failure to realise that no one wants to be part of a team that contains no individuals

Sceptic or cynic - you decide...

RE: Icebreakers

There is currently an "alternative olympics" taking place on the lawn outside my office window. No one on my floor can afford to take part because we are up against an impossible deadline. You can bet that tomorrow morning we'll get all the stick for not being team players and joining in the fun.

PS I'm on Eng-Tips at the moment while I'm waiting for super-slow IT to load up my files. And I can't throw the computer out of the window because there's too many people playing down there!

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