Looking podcast on retreat relationship building excercise

Submitted by gaylesf
in
General Questions and Comments
Hi all, One of my favorite MT podcasts outlined a teambuilding exercise that Mark highly recommended doing at the beginning of any company retreat. Involved everyone taking time to share a little bit of their own personal story through some guided exercises. My agency has a retreat coming up and I'd like to recommend this exercise, but for the life of me I can't seem to find it while looking through old podcasts and show notes. I must be going blind :-). However, if someone could point me to the correct show, I'd be ever so grateful. Thanks! Peace, Gayle
Submitted by Tom Comeau on Tuesday April 8th, 2008 10:14 am

[quote="gaylesf"]... teambuilding exercise that Mark highly recommended ...[/quote]

I don't think I'd characterize that as "teambuilding." I think Mark's real views on teambuilding exercises are [url=http://www.manager-tools.com/2007/05/team-building-101/]here[/url].

It's a great introductory technique, though. There is a danger, however, in the Something That No One Knows section. I've seen this technique used without clear instructions, and it can lead to what my wife calls "TMI moments."

(And I believe Steve has identified the correct 'cast.)

tc>

Submitted by Inactive Membe… on Tuesday April 8th, 2008 10:36 am

Gayle - speaking as a former training designer, you might consider using some "icebreakers" at the beginning of your sessions (use the Google, or look at books like "Games Trainers Play").

To be clear, "icebreakers" are NOT "teambuilding" (because teambuilding exercises don't work. They don't. They really, really, really don't.).

Icebreakers are just fun and short ways to bring people into the moment, and to help them focus - they're light, they're fun, and they're absolutely not designed to have BIG MEANING or BIG IMPLICATIONS when people return to work.

-Hugh

PS - Rather than looking at Mark's comments on Team Building, watch a couple of episodes of [i]"The Office."[/i] Their take on teambuilding is dead-on.

Submitted by Tom Comeau on Tuesday April 8th, 2008 11:44 am

[quote="HMac"]... Rather than looking at Mark's comments on Team Building, watch a couple of episodes of [i]"The Office."[/i] Their take on teambuilding is dead-on.[/quote]

I think Mark has a more pragmatic view. He's perfectly willing to do a teambuilding exercise for you. You just need to give him a billion dollars. :-)

tc>

Submitted by gaylesf on Tuesday April 8th, 2008 11:49 am

Hi,

Thanks to everyone for the quick and helpful responses. Yes, the "Meeting Introduction" podcast was the "icebreaker" tool for which I was looking.

Peace,
Gayle