Team Building Problem Solving

Team building problem solving activities are the mainstay of company away days. A team can be made more effective and efficient and considerably improved through the use of carefully controlled and properly implemented activities and games that require team solutions.

There are, however, several pitfalls inherent in the process that some providers fall into. Their mistakes can be copied by others and perpetuated over time.

The result can be a process that actually works against the intended outcome, failing entirely to build a team that is in any way better than it was before.

The problems arise when competitive games and activities are employed in the mistaken belief that competition builds a sharper, keener mind. It rarely does and tests have shown this to be so. If, instead, a more cooperative approach is employed, the team members perform much better and provide results much more in keeping with what is expected and desired.

Sometimes the team building problem solving activities seek to build up the assertiveness of the participants. This is a fine and noble goal in as far as it goes. However, all too often assertiveness is mistaken for aggression and the entire process suffers.

When team members, either singly or together, use aggression in their efforts they may have initial success. However, sustained aggression does not provide long lasting results that help to build a better team. In most cases it actually works against the desired outcome.

The only approach that works consistently well enough to be considered the best overall approach is one of mutual cooperation. It is only through true cooperation that individuals can feel a real part of a team.

With mutual cooperation comes trust and support. No one needs to be constantly looking over their shoulder in apprehension or fear; they know their place and their importance within the team, which allows them to become engaged in the process.

Team building problem solving activities should have several effects if they are to be useful. They should work to create a deeper and better understanding between team members. They should increase the individual's desire to cooperate and assist other team members. They should give the individual a sense that the team has performed well together, and they should leave each team member feeling that their time on the company away day was time well spent.

It is the last point that is often missed. Team members can come away from an away day feeling that it was all a waste of time. With that attitude they will most likely not bother to try and apply anything they have learned to what they do in the workplace. The end result of the entire exercise will therefore be a failure.

When team members feel that the team building problem solving day has been a success, they are much more apt to try and apply the things they have learned to what they do as they work. It will have a deeper meaning to them and they will be eager to consolidate the experience.