Do office ice breakers set your teeth on edge? Well, you’re not alone: Almost a third of U.S. office workers dislike team-building activities, according to a 2012 Wake field Research Study commissioned by the cloud technology company Citrix. Although companies have the best intentions when they plan these activities, says David W. Ballard of the American Psychological Association, they can be counterproductive if not executed properly—disrupting trust, heightening tensions, and allowing cynicism to grow in the workplace.
“An entire industry has grown around corporate team-building programs, from ropes courses, wilderness programs, and paintball to ice breakers, trust exercises, and coaching sessions based on questionable personality tests,” says Ballard. He adds that while it’s not unusual for vendors to “pitch high-priced programs” and “tout amazing performance improvements” that companies have achieved as a result of such activities, employers should still take these promises with a grain of salt.
Team-building activities should bolster the work employees complete together, or provide a genuine opportunity to relax and unwind. Not everyone is comfortable with seances or group meditation, and supervisors should be sensitive to that. “Take care to avoid putting employees in embarrassing or uncomfortable situations,” Ballard says. “Recognize that people have different preferences and respect employee boundaries regarding physical contact and the disclosure of personal information.”
To continue reading, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment