Have you ever taken part in a team-building experience? If so, what was it? Do you think it aided your team’s ability to work together?

Have you ever taken part in a team-building experience? If so, what was it? Do you think it aided your team’s ability to work together?

I have. They were stupid.

This used to be the "thing" to do in corporate America 15 years ago. I participated in one with some team members at an outdoor facility. It was just a one-day event. Having worked in Human Resources for over 30 years I can safely say that when they work, they work. The outdoor event that I went to ended up being a competition between the men and the women in the HR division and the men were put out when the women won the competition. We did ziplining, bungee jumping, agility tests, problem solving, etc. and got points for each event. The competition part and subsequent "hurt" feelings was not team building at all. So in this instance it did not work.

Nope & I hope never to have to unless I'm being paid an obnoxious amount of money to do so in my free time.
However, if it's occurring on company time? Sign me up! These things usually include free lunch, right?

No and I am certainly glad I never had to.

As a psychologist, I often encouraged others to be a part of a team building process. I think it’s important tho to never make or demand participation in these endeavors. One should respect the decision of participants to opt out at any stage.

I've never had the opportunity to take part in one of these "adventures." In the field of education there has never been the time or money to do this - however, we do have "section" meetings in which teachers of the same class or discipline meet to discuss style, technique, best practice - never anything terribly dangerous or threatening, and often, some very good ideas are shared.

Argh, I've always hated those things. Fortunately the ones I've been required to participate in have been held inside and have been more like group exercises than trips. They've always reminded me of having to take part in group projects when I was in school, which I also despised. Guess I'm more of a loner and not a very good team player! LOL!

Yes, over and over again - in a variety of jobs from corporate management positions to jobs in totally different fields. They were worthless, but everyone had to act like they were worthwhile.

No, I, too, spent my career in education and other than faculty meetings--most of which were time consuming and not terribly productive--I was never exposed to team-building " experiences", thank God! I certainly do not think compulsory team building activities are in any way, shape or form going to be worthwhile or successful. At least some, if not all, of the participants are already resentful because they "have " to take part. I, too, am more of a loner and don't like the whole group, touchy feely thing at all. Thank goodness, I retired just as this approach was taking hold.

I have to agree with rebeccar. It looked good on paper, but everyone basically hated it.

I have and rarely found them valuable. I love the idea, but the way they are facilitated feels forced, like an attempt to force everyone to be an extrovert. As if the only things to be valued are those that are loud and shiny. Much like the other question about living forgiveness in families, you have to live teamwork. If the values aren't there in the day to day operations, it doesn't really matter if they're present for a four hour meeting where you tape things on each other and color.

I have never participated in a team building exercise that was as lengthy, intense, or dangerous. I agree with peggya that they have a place. As a therapist and trainer, I often used much shorter versions of team building to develop boards, professional staff, and other trainers. There are many effective exercises that can jump start the functioning of a group, build consensus, and help in areas such as strategic planning. However, I would never have used or participated in the kind of exercise used here, nor would a good facilitator ever compel people to participate. A message to that point would have been one of the first rules of the day.

I have taken part in team building exercises, but never to the extent of the survival test that the book’s characters experienced. Mostly they were group sessions where you had to brainstorm what your goals, mission, objectives, etc. were. Each member contributed, and generally one person was the speaker for the group and another took notes.