Everyone in the NMC office packed their swimming costume and headed off for a few days of ‘team building’ at the Lake last week. Its quite the event it seems, everyone was very keen to get going and it was hard not to get swept along with all the excitement. Misja, the new VSO volunteer (an IT fundi – we love him already!!), the other IT guy and I left promptly at our stated departure time on the itinerary – and 4 hours later were dipping our toes in the cool waters of the Lake. Our colleagues, with all manner of detours and delays, took slightly longer (I was pyjamaed up and in bed I think by the time the last ones pitched up!!)
Anyway, bright and early the next morning we gathered in the conference room (which looked right out over the water - verrry distracting…) and started off with a presentation from the Chief on the important aspects of ‘teamwork’ and how it is achieved (good communication, cooperation, motivation, knowing your role and responsibilities etc etc) and then Second-in-Command took over and showed us all that breaking a twig is easy if there is just one, but breaking a bunch can’t be done. ‘Good, good, this is looking hopeful’ I thought to myself, I know these sorts of things aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they’re certainly one way to break down the hierarchy and formality that is so obstructive out here so I was quietly pleased with how it was all going. But, that was it – an hour’s worth of theory - no communication skills exercises, no cooperative group work, no motivating stuff – we were just instructed to all have high morale and there we are, we’re done!!
The rest of the two days was one long snooze fest…I tuned in and out and caught a few snippets but it was all pretty much a waste of time – see what you think…
Team leader: Wanted!
“We need to form our Fundraising Committee” says NMCworker1, “ We must have a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson – who wants to volunteer?” Silence “Ok, shall we vote instead? Lets suggest some names” Silence and looking round the room. “What about those who are not here today, they should be given the chance too” says SpannerInTheWorks. “Ok, lets choose an interim chairperson and temporary deputy until such time as formal arrangements can be made” Much nodding and suggesting of names…
Anyway, bright and early the next morning we gathered in the conference room (which looked right out over the water - verrry distracting…) and started off with a presentation from the Chief on the important aspects of ‘teamwork’ and how it is achieved (good communication, cooperation, motivation, knowing your role and responsibilities etc etc) and then Second-in-Command took over and showed us all that breaking a twig is easy if there is just one, but breaking a bunch can’t be done. ‘Good, good, this is looking hopeful’ I thought to myself, I know these sorts of things aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they’re certainly one way to break down the hierarchy and formality that is so obstructive out here so I was quietly pleased with how it was all going. But, that was it – an hour’s worth of theory - no communication skills exercises, no cooperative group work, no motivating stuff – we were just instructed to all have high morale and there we are, we’re done!!
The rest of the two days was one long snooze fest…I tuned in and out and caught a few snippets but it was all pretty much a waste of time – see what you think…
Team leader: Wanted!
“We need to form our Fundraising Committee” says NMCworker1, “ We must have a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson – who wants to volunteer?” Silence “Ok, shall we vote instead? Lets suggest some names” Silence and looking round the room. “What about those who are not here today, they should be given the chance too” says SpannerInTheWorks. “Ok, lets choose an interim chairperson and temporary deputy until such time as formal arrangements can be made” Much nodding and suggesting of names…
Team decisions: Coffins and things
1) Are the proposed choices of coffin in the funeral policy acceptable to all?
Senior staff – executive coffin, calico and fittings (Fancy!)
Middle staff – standard coffin with Formica and calico (Formica?)
Junior staff – standard coffin, without fittings (How will people carry it?)
For spouses – standard coffin, with Formica (But, what about the fittings?)
(For VSO volunteers – old cardboard box)
2) Shall we all write ‘some sort of document in case of eventuality’ (a Will??)
Team thinking: Bible quiz
?
(I couldn’t answer a single question – oops!)
Team buying: Fish
A list went round that you could add your name to if you wanted to buy fish – little dried ones, slightly bigger but very stinky ones or fresh slippery ones – all by the kilo. I politely passed it on and was duly quizzed as to why I wasn’t purchasing any. “Umm, because I only eat fish fingers” I replied “Fish what?”
Team dancing: Very entertaining…slightly scary though!
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