If Team Building Is Only A Special Event or Activity, You’re Doing It Wrong

"Teams are built (or broken) in the trenches of everyday work."

by Winslow Swart

Team building. The words might conjure images of awkward trust falls, forced "fun" activities, or off-site retreats with questionable ROI. But what if we reframed our understanding of team building? What if, instead of a scheduled event, we saw it as an integral, ever-present aspect of every work task and process?

The truth is, teams are built (or broken) in the trenches of everyday work. Every interaction, every shared success, every challenge overcome – these are the building blocks of a strong, cohesive team. It's less about the organized activities and more about the subtle ways we interact and collaborate throughout the workday. While a kick-off, or series of events/retreats may be necessary to inculcate this mind-set, ultimately it should be a reflex, baked into the muscle memory of the organization. Without going into all the dynamics of building a high-performing team, suffice to say that trust, or the absence thereof, is the most fundamental and essential determinate from which all high-performing attributes or dysfunctions stem.

Team building naturally occurs within everyday tasks, given the right mix of heartset and mindset:

• Project Collaboration: Working together towards a common goal and holding one another mutually accountable inherently fosters teamwork. Dividing tasks, sharing ideas, and relying on each other's strengths necessitates communication, coordination, and trust – all key elements of building a high-performing team. Imagine a marketing team brainstorming a new campaign. The free flow of ideas, respectful debate, and collaborative problem-solving strengthen their bond and build collective ownership.

• Problem Solving: When challenges arise, and they always do, the way a team navigates them can either solidify their unity or create fractures. Teams that effectively communicate, actively listen, and collaboratively seek solutions emerge stronger and more unified. Think of a software development team tackling a critical bug. Their ability to openly discuss the issue, leverage diverse expertise, and support each other through the debugging process builds resilience and trust.

• Celebrating Successes: Acknowledging and celebrating achievements, both big and small, is crucial for team morale and motivation. Sharing success reinforces a sense of collective accomplishment and strengthens the bond between team members. Fostering a sense of shared purpose and collective pride does not only come from management or “corporate”. It is a collective effort where everyone’s engagement matters and for which no one should feel exempt.

Shifting the Mindset:

So why is it difficult, even with the right mindset, for team building to not be perpetually present? Understanding that every interaction holds the potential for team building, and for that to become an ingrained part of our work culture requires a shift in being and behavior. Once the inertia is set in this vein, we can more vigorously:

• Value Communication and Difficult Conversations: Open and honest communication becomes the norm, fostering transparency and understanding.

• Value Conflict and Embrace Diversity of Thought: Recognizing and appreciating individual strengths and perspectives leads to richer collaboration, even when controversial.

• Prioritize Respect: Treating each other with respect and consideration builds trust and creates a positive and supportive work environment.

  
  

Examples in Action:

• A daily stand-up meeting where team members briefly share their progress, challenges, and plans for the day fosters transparency, accountability, and a sense of shared purpose. When issues or set-backs are aired, team members who use language like, “I own that, that was my bad,” and “hold me accountable for ________” inculcates a deeper sense of trust among team members and encourages others to take on greater levels of ownership and self-accountability.

• A post-project review where the team reflects on their successes, challenges, and lessons learned encourages continuous improvement and strengthens their bond. Post-mortems can be just as helpful as celebrating successes, given the right mind-set and confidence to recognize the value of failure.

• Recognize each other’s efforts: saying "thank you" or “you’re a total bad-ass” to a colleague for their help or contribution reinforces positive behavior and strengthens interpersonal relationships. Informal recognition is no less impactful than formal reward systems.

No Magic Dust

Results and change take time and effort. People have a tendency to resist change beyond reason. So constant, gentle pressure is required to help make improvements stick. Try not to get frustrated when there are are those who persist in counter-productive behaviors and would be rather be right than be happy.

By shifting our perspective and recognizing the inherent team-building potential in everyday work tasks and processes, we can cultivate a culture of collaboration, trust, and mutual support. This not only strengthens the team but also drives greater productivity, innovation, and overall success.