SECTOR FOCUS
TEAMBUILDING
The science of teambuilding
To get the most out of a networked structure, organisations need to help their teams find that vital trust and synergy. Teambuilding might seem like an oldfashioned idea – or just another word for “enforced fun” – but in the new ways of working, it becomes more important than ever before.
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HRM ASIA.COM
Gregory Kalabekov, founder and Lead Facilitator of Griness, says the outcome of a well-designed and delivered teambuilding programme may not be immediately obvious. He likens it to a carrot growing in a garden – “the most valuable part is not immediately visible – it is hidden under the ground.” Trust is one of these invisible benefits, and one that many HR practitioners seem to specifically want from teambuilding activities. In a recent HRMAsia.com poll, it came up tops as the most desired outcome. Ultimately, teambuilding provides a way for people to work together without all the stakes and risks of regular work. People aren’t necessarily inclined towards politics or showboating when they’re out on a field armed with paintball guns, and these lowered walls make it easier to communicate – especially about things that aren’t related to work. Kalebekov says this communication is foundational for trust to develop. The mere act of getting out of the office to do something unrelated to work can be akin to lifting a weight off one’s shoulders. For example, a drumming session can help people de-stress while making music – and just being able to see a fellow colleague smile and show some hidden talents might put them in a new light, or deepen existing connections. There’s also the idea of “collective efficacy”. Psychologist Albert Bandura defines this as a group’s shared belief in its ability to organise and execute the courses of action required to achieve success. Various studies – often in sports teams, but also among students and in the military – have shown that a strong collective self-belief in turn improves collective performance. Translating this academic concept into a solid teambuilding exercise is not as difficult as it might sound – Kalabekov explains that it’s simply a matter of structuring it such that groups are able to overcome challenges and work together. “Along the way, we encourage teams to acknowledge and celebrate small wins,” he adds. Teambuilding is also about enabling psychological safety, says Kalabekov. A recent Google study, conducted over two years among the tech giant’s near-200 teams, found that psychological safety – the sense that you can speak up, ask questions, be yourself, and make mistakes, without fear of repercussion – was a common trait shared by its highestperforming teams.
Much about the act of forging psychological safety depends on workplace culture, and how organisations and managers handle feedback and conflict, but teambuilding exercises can also be a useful tool. For instance, a day of silly contests like egg races might seem like an exercise in embarrassment, but it can also be also help people realise that their teams can be a “safe space” – if you can get pie on your face in front of your colleagues, and laugh it off, you might feel less self-conscious about bringing up ideas or comments. Kalabekov concurs, explaining that psychological safety can be encouraged by “creating a playful atmosphere, introducing out-of-comfort-zone challenges, and encouraging constant communication between participants.”
Getting started Thought and consideration are essential to get the most out of teambuilding, If nothing else, because there are multiple stakeholders to address, as Kalabekov points out. Firstly, there is senior management. This group usually wants to know what the objectives and outcomes are for a teambuilding event: “these could be about reinforcing corporate values, making the team more adaptable to changes, or building positive work culture,” notes Kalabekov. Then, of course, you have the participants themselves: “They are looking for a
TRUST IN TEAMBUILDING
HRM MAGAZINE ASIA conducted an online poll among its HR audience over June, 2018. The poll received more than 100 responses. This was your response:
What do you hope to achieve with team-building or teambonding activities? For teams to develop trust To improve morale For employees to have a break/have fun To identify potential leaders
45% 18% 23% 14%
J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
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7/13/2018 2:27:32 PM