Why Is REAL Team-Building So Vital & Valuable?

By: Tony Dovale

TEAM-BUILDING and Team Transformation - With so many companies now doing, some kind of team-building events, what's the best route to consider? Team-building activities, as they're commonly called, varies from frivolous group entertainment & motivational stuff; Quad-biking, soccer, cooking, shooting, mini-golf, foozeball, ballooning, etc… all the way through to what we term… TRANSFORMATIVE Appreciative Team-Building. That is REAL Team-TRANSFORMATION that impacts people on a Head, Heart & Soul level and has long-lasting results.

It's a well know fact that stuff like motivational talks and the usual fun style "team building Ideas" don't last or add any real value - so why then do people waste their money paying anything up to R15,000 for a 1 hour motivational talk? Motivation is like manipulation!

And who wants to be manipulated? If you were to invest in a team building event, don't' you want to get the best value you can for your investment - of time, money and people resources? Any intelligent person wants the best return (ROI) on their corporate team-building days.

So imagine for a moment a scale from 0 to 10. The zero side is "pseudo team building events" or short-lived motivational type stuff. On the other side - 10 is HERO a "transform-your-people-and-your-team" process that impacts Heads, Hearts and Souls, lasts a life-time - and enhances performance, productivity, resilience, relationships, trust, staff engagement levels and your workplace culture- REAL Team Transformation.

Now make an intelligent decision…What level of results would you choose if you were to embark on a team-building process? What's the best way to blend your team cultures, build trust, build better relationships and to unleash passion, engagement and energy into a cohesive whole? - A REAL productive engaged TEAM.

Group Entertainment is NOT Real Team-Building!

" If we consider, what is thought to be, a typical "team building" event; people go on some planned outing for a day, somewhere offsite. They may get a little revved up, wear colored arm-bands or t-shirts, paint faces, play some games, shoot arrows, walk planks, laugh a little, or a lot, have a free meal or braai, a few drinks and then go home…klaar! Nothing really powerful!

" On the day, what we don't see, just under the surface, is that the office politics and people issues are still alive and well. People still fear; appearing useless, being uncomfortable or making a fool of themselves. Staff accumulate in their usual "clans", and the office-clown is again, thoughtlessly, even more mordant with their jabs and jousts. Often, greater barriers to real team-building and a friendlier, more productive workplace, are created. Intolerance prevails - and never the cultures or people shall blend!

" When Monday comes around, the old dynamics, office politics and factions remain, just as before. The people are as jaded as ever, if not more so now! And the "TEAM" is just a pretense. Life goes on just the same as it did before the group outing. People know nothing new about each other or their cultures. So what was it all really about?

" This is treating the symptom - not the foundation or real causes.

So why even do it? Why would you spend money on something that does not solve your problem or deliver real value? Lack of; relationships, inclusion, trust, truth, engagement and inspiration is a REAL problem - A real problem for your team-building and your improved results in a diverse and multi-cultural reality we call our Rainbow Nation.

Alternative - REAL Team Transformation - The HERO side…An Uncommon, but REAL, Team Building event. Imagine a REAL team-building experience that would remove barriers and change your office energy, work culture, staff attitudes, trust levels and team-spirit forever. REAL team building or Team Transformation creates an environment for change to happen. Like the transformation of a worm into a beautiful butterfly.

Consider…What's the best way to really build your team. What aspects would need to be addressed to ensure long-term impact and profoundly positive results? In Ai based real team-building activities the following core aspect must be addressed in order to build a sustainable and strong workplace foundation that fosters optimal team effectiveness and cohesion.

TRUST! - #1 issue to be addressed is TRUST. True authentic trust and communication between the people, as well as the team and management is critical. If you have no trust your team could bust! Trust is the anchor-stone of success. It's a proven fact that trust makes or breaks relationships and workplaces. Trust's the business lubricant, just like the super lubricant, Teflon.

I hear you think…is TRUST really more important than our great systems, policies and organisational structure? Absolutely Yes! A low trust workplace and mistrusting culture can, and will, sabotage and disrupt any system or strategy. Just look at the number of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) initiatives that fail - It's the people who make it happen from a Head, Heart and Soul level. No/low trust and engagement = no real team, not really sustainable in a positive and humane manner.

Is TRUST really more important than our great Vision & espoused Values? Absolutely Yes! I don't care how impressive your Vision is or what your Values are, the DRAG of a low trust workplace will hold you back you from truly attaining that vision and walking those values - authentically and fully. Values are for everyone, all of the time, not some of the time and some of the people. TRUST is a MUST to thrive.

Is TRUST really more important than a good strategy? Absolutely Yes! All strategies have to be executed. Efficient and optimal execution is built on high trust and high levels of certainty. High trust cannot transform poor strategy, but it can make it better. Give me a team of newbies-on-fire vs a group of indifferent, mistrusting, disengaged rocket-scientists, any day!

Is TRUST really more important than COMPETENCIES and skills? Again absolutely Yes! Skills and competencies are a head-based issue. No matter how skilled a person or team/group, the "drag" or friction of a low-trust workplace will ensure that those skills are not optimally, if ever, fully applied. Trust is a heart AND head based issue. And let's be real here…nothing will deter real talent like a dictatorial-high-control, low-trust, low-engagement workplace.

REAL Team Building ideas consists of getting REAL with yourself and others in your team.
" Resilience & Responsibility
" Energy & Engagement
" Appreciative Inquiry & Action
" Leadership with LOVE.

If you consider what is impacted in a team-building event, it is our responsibility to make optimal use of the time, efforts, expense and team-building opportunity by REALLY growing your people and the relationships.

That's why our Life Masters REAL team-building activities are designed as powerful, unique, transformational encounters…and not just a light entertainment event.

Our REAL Team Building is designed to change lives and workplaces on a longer-term basis. You can do the merry fun group stuff, but we'd favor adding REAL value & results to your business and your team-building / blending efforts. Action, Appreciation and Trust is the "must" of the 21st century.

Chose to do REAL Team Building next time… avoid group amusement sold as team building - It's really a waste of money most of the time.

No one else does it like we do. Ask any of our clients -
Life Masters Leads the way to REAL team Building & Transformation
Aspects Vital to a True Team Building Process

In order to truly build a strong team and foundation, the following core areas offer valuable results when addressed…trust levels, truth, attitudes, anger, limiting beliefs, misunderstandings, disappointments, judgments, personal politics, unresolved issues, honesty, constructive feedback, interpersonal relationships, satisfaction levels, self-awareness, self-esteem, confidence and confidentiality, resilience / Adversity Intelligence (AQ), engagement levels, caring, Emotional Intelligence, hidden agendas, outdated management-styles, transgressions kept secret, blockages, cultural intolerance, conflict, consciousness & energy levels.

Our Team Building Is Predicated Upon These Perspectives

" …that all people are precious, valuable and can be your greatest assets if developed effectively;
" …that work is a platform for people to enjoy, grow, love; and to experience higher levels of self-worth, self-esteem, value and happiness;
" …that work is an opportunity for people to make a positive contribution whilst making a profit for the shareholders;
" …that you spend more time awake with co-workers than the ones you apparently love - why not also love your co-workers? Keep your mind clean here please! :
" …that people bring their Heads, Hearts and Souls to work - So for optimal engagement grow and build your people on a Head, Heart & Soul level. Discover and support their CAUSES to gain maximum commitment and participation.
Whilst it's true that profit is the "lifeblood" of your business, consider that it shouldn't be the only purpose and aim of your business. You don't get too much engagement from people when the only reason for them working is survival, and to make the shareholders and bosses wealthier - That's GREEDERship, not LEADERship! No Soul in that goal!

Our Appreciative Team-Building Follows A Clear & Systematic Process.

" Research the environment, the people, the issues and the desired outcomes and intentions of the team build. We use: EQ, Resilience, Higher Ground Leadership, C.A.S.T.L.E. workplace scan, Human Energy Levels Project, team fitness, stress & JQ20 Engagement
" Build Trust and truth between the facilitators and the participants.
" Explore what people would really love to have in their workplace and what's currently working well.
" Reveal what their current workplace really has in existence right now - The good, the bad and the ugly!
" Examine the GAP between desire/ ideal and current reality
" Design an encounter that is confidential, powerful, fun, engaging, transformational and life-long lasting in the results it delivers.
" Deliver the processes designed to build trust, address the issues, resolves the conflicts, opens communications remove barriers, builds and renews relationships based upon a "clean slate" with a joint vision and destiny.
" Follow-up with coaching, feedback, email tips and gatherings to celebrate and strengthen relationships, trust, truth, engagement and results.
Imagine the difference in your workplace on Monday after a real team-building encounter where people actually like, respect, understand, trust and care for each other. Work becomes enjoyable, and your workplace can become a WowPlace. It's hard to not have a great team after that.

Comments you would love to hear from people after a team-transformation encounter…

" "Awesome!!… improved my self-confidence and my commitment to clear goals" - Helen
" "life changing. …was mind and life changing"- Bosman
" "My expectations were totally surpassed" - Jenny
" "ABSOLUTELY AWESOME are the only 2 words I can use to describe the feelings, thoughts and energy experiences that I experienced today" - Darryl
" "In every possible way it touched every point in my life. 0 out of 10. Workshop leader was awesome" - Zelda
" "I never expected to get out what I did. EVERYBODY in business should do this. I call it Lifeline!!! Tony is amazing. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for what he taught me - Thuli
" "Thanks for your workshop, support and input which have changed my life at home and work. No problem or challenge is to big to overcome in my life. Nothing will get me down!!!!" Regards Chris
" "There is only one word to describe the team building session at Bakabung - "POSITIVE". My team and I are committed and honest. What I said at Bakabung I will do - I am doing, and so are my team members. My experience is that we (team) are far more relaxed and open as before. I see my team totally different (positive) than before. I see SUPPORT, TRUST, HONESTY, HUMOUR & SPIRIT in my team. I had a super experience at the team building and I seriously think we need to escalate it down to our subordinates" - Cassie
" "The experience has been totally unlike any other team building in the sense that it has affected me (powerfully) at a personal level. It certainly forced me to look at what is really important" - Anita
" "I must admit - my team IS genuine and the change is INCREDIBLE. The support, openness, love and "warm fuzzies" are definitely there. The experience of the team building session was worth every cent. You did wonders & thanks to my team" - C
" "Tony, what a positive influence you have had on my life. I am not sure how you thank someone for something so significant, so I am sending you warm fuzzies for now. I am paying it forward!" Namaste' - K
" "I released my past hurts and distrust of whites and commit to moving forward, together, as a real team" - TF
" This team building exceeded my expectations by far! All people bonded as one! Workshop leaders were awesome! - Sune' (Provincial Director Office of the Public Protector)

People in genuine encouraging teams are happier, healthier, more supportive, more resilient, honest, truthful, more energetic, more engaged, have more fun, earn more and are more satisfied with themselves and their lives.

If you are considering revamping your productivity, going on a team-building session or wanting to inspire your staff, ensure that the impact and effectiveness deliver real lasting value. Make your decision on VALUE not on PRICE!

Remember…"The bitterness of poor quality (value) lingers on long after the sweetness of a cheap price!"

Moving leadership from motivation to Inspiration
and engagement, one team @ a time!

So what do you really want?…
…a bland unfriendly unproductive workplace controlled by fear and greed
…or a powerfully engaged happy WowPlace fuelled by energetic engaged passion?

Call for a complimentary presentation or claim your free Staff & Team-building report -"Riding the Razor" by emailing rtr@coachfree.com. Type "RTRTeambuilder" as your subject pleaseTony Dovale www.lifemasters.co.za 083-447-6300 TEAM@coachfree.com Team Building Activities Appreciative Inquiry

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