My company bosses, in their infinite wisdom, recently put myself and a group of my workmates on a teambuilding camping trip. The outcome has been two colleagues resigning and one undergoing disciplinary action for gross misconduct.
Although attendance on the teambuilding event was not compulsory many signed up out of fear that non-attendance would not be good for their careers. They had planned a packed intinerary including archery, hiking, climbing and orienteering. But things began to quickly go downhill soon after our arrival.
There had clearly been a breakdown in communications as the details of what we were each required to bring along had not been provided to everybody. Many people had turned up without sleeping bags and some had even omitted to bring any proper outdoor clothing.This prompted some arguments between some of my colleagues and a small group decided it was time for lunch at a local bar.
The organizers had provided all of the essential camping equipment including optional tents, hammocks and tarpaulins, ideal for the hardier, experienced campers. I chose the log cabin option as this was comfortably fitted out with proper beds.
When my workmates stumbled back from the bar they were very much the worse for drink. An orienteering exercise had been arranged for the afternoon that would take us out into the local woods. The organisers had arranged a six mile treasure hunt taking us through the local woodland, following clues and instructions as we went. Those who had just returned from their liquid lunch were clearly not up for hiking so they hid away in the woods, smoking and drinking whiskey.
When the evening rolled around it was time for us to cook our dinner over the camp fire. They provided a selection of raw ingredients for our supper including several chickens and a range of vegetables. A few of my drunken colleagues decided that the menu was not to their liking so they got on the phone to a pizza delivery service in a nearby village. This prompted the organisers to call a meeting to remind everybody of what was expected of us while attending their campsite.
Things went from bad to worse, largely fuelled by alcohol. The group who had chosen to go for a liquid lunch had missed the opportunity to choose bunks in the log cabin so they were expected to sleep in the tents. This arrangement was not popular and several said that they would be going to a hotel. When the organisers pointed out that this was not in the spirit of the teambuilding exercise they became quite aggressive and one even threatened one of the organisers.
The outcome was that several of those who were unhappy with the trip ended up going home. Those of us who stuck around had a really excellent time but the organisers will not be inviting us back.
This experience should remind managers of the need to get the buy-in of all attendees on a teambuilding exercise. It’s also important to ensure that everybody knows what is expected of them and what they will get out of the exercise.
RSS FEED
