Seminar­Team-Building

In today's environment, a fact of organizational life is that people work most effectively in teams. And yet, one of the primary causes of worker discontent is dissatisfaction with fellow workers­sometimes personal, often professional. This seminar will enable participants to experience some team-building exercises with practical applications. This workshop contrasts with "Physical Horizons" programs that tend to produce bonding by putting people through grueling or demeaning physical tests. What Al does with this workshop is very non-threatening, but ultimately quite revealing.

The theory behind empowerment/enabling of workers is outlined, as participants gain an understanding of the importance of workers having a stake in their own work environment, and the importance of knowing that their managers share that belief.

Three methods of building a team environment are discussed. Any positive or negative results that the group has experienced are analyzed for common traits. The larger group is broken into a set of smaller groups for a team-building puzzle, following which a post mortem is conducted to note any lessons that were learned.

A second exercise is also used, with a different grouping, in order to illustrate other healthy ways of coming together for consensus. The reasons that teams succeed or fail are discussed, along with such concerns as the proper size of a team.

Al looks at aspects of "fun" in the workplace, examining what is proper and helpful and what is not. Celebratory events are encouraged and this workshop will explore several kinds, with special emphasis on those celebrations that are most closely connected with work accomplishment.

This workshop is of great importance to anyone trying to boost organizational health by encouraging a more participatory workplace in which people work together and perform remarkable deeds.

© 1997 Athene Consultants, Inc.