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???
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
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
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
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
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RE: Icebreakers
RE: Icebreakers
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
RE: Icebreakers
"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
RE: Icebreakers
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.
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One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!
RE: Icebreakers
Something you've participated in, or just a suggestion??
RE: Icebreakers
RE: Icebreakers
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
> 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://w
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
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
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
Here, here!!! A star for you!
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
RE: Icebreakers
- mumbling -
Just make sure the ratio of people to cake is acceptable.
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Icebreakers
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One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!
RE: Icebreakers
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Icebreakers
No accounting for taste.
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: Icebreakers
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
It'll make your team feel much better.
RE: Icebreakers
RE: Icebreakers
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Icebreakers
Thanks again,
CF
RE: Icebreakers
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Icebreakers
RE: Icebreakers
Wasn't a naked company picnic was it??!
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RE: Icebreakers
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
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
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
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
RE: Icebreakers
And shooting at each other should help to work out any personal frustrations.
Vince
RE: Icebreakers
RE: Icebreakers
See my 10 Aug 05 21:59 post above. Paintball is a really bad idea for team building.
David
RE: Icebreakers
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
ht
RE: Icebreakers
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
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One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!
RE: Icebreakers
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
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
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!