team had a number of outdoor tasks to achieve in a specific timeframe and each team would be observed by an external coach supported by a “safety-advisor” who knew the tasks “backwards”. Each team would be scored on their planning, decision making, communication and flexibility in their attempts to undertake the various tasks which involved doing a number of things with pipes, cages, ropes, ladders, balls, and an assortment of other implements and structures. The sense of relief around the room was very eThe Sales Director had organised a great conference; the venue was first class, the service excellent and the content of the workshops and presentations very motivational. The only potential “fly in the ointment” was the team-building afternoon which was scheduled to take place outdoors as evidenced by the memo outlining the fact that waterproof jackets, trousers and boots should be brought along to the conference.

The “rumour-mill” was working overtime. “We’re going abseiling.” claimed one sales representative. “No, I have heard it is an orienteering challenge.” claimed another. “That river close by must be in the equation. Maybe there are canoes involved – or even rafts!” Minds were going into over-drive and with the rain starting to fall and the cloud cover starting to not only increase but appear to get lower and lower, a gloom descended both in weather terms and in terms of individuals’ motivation. The bar presented a much better option!

There was a surge of interest in the late eighties and nineties in “outward-bound” type team building exercises involving very challenging physical activities centred around canoes, rafts, abseiling and generally “roughing it”, but there is a lot of anecdotal feedback that this type of the teambuilding tends to support individual development as opposed to actually developing teams.

What is potentially needed are less strenuous outdoor team activities that not only challenge both team and individual but also create experiential learning that participants can take back and apply with their teams in their own work environment. The activities also have to be fun and not induce a fear of one’s personal safety being compromised!

The Sales Director had seen the outdoor management and team task approach done before and was convinced that the “non-arduous” type of outdoor team activity was the way forward. At the pre-event brief, expectations were managed and fears subsided. No, there was no abseiling, rock-climbing, canoeing or orienteering. Instead each sales team had a number of outdoor tasks to achieve in a specific timeframe and each team would be observed by an external coach supported by a “safety-advisor” who knew the tasks “backwards”. Each team would be scored on their planning, decision making, communication and flexibility in their attempts to undertake the various tasks which involved doing a number of things with pipes, cages, ropes, ladders, balls, and an assortment of other implements and structures. The sense of relief around the room was very ev

esentative. “No, I have heard it is an orienteering challenge.” claimed another. “That river close by must be in the equation. Maybe there are canoes involved – or even rafts!” Minds were going into over-drive and with the rain starting to fall and the cloud cover starting to not only increase but appear to get lower and lower, a gloom descended both in weather terms and in terms of individuals’ motivation. The bar presented a much better option!

There was a surge of interest in the late eighties and nineties in “outward-bound” type team building exercises involving very challenging physical activities centred around canoes, rafts, abseiling and generally “roughing it”, but there is a lot of anecdotal feedback that this type of the teambuilding tends to support individual development as opposed to actually developing teams.

What is potentially needed are less strenuous outdoor team activities that not only challenge both team and individual but also create experiential learning that participants can take back and apply with their teams in their own work environment. The activities also have to be fun and not induce a fear of one’s personal safety being compromised!

The Sales Director had seen the outdoor management and team task approach done before and was convinced that the “non-arduous” type of outdoor team activity was the way forward. At the pre-event brief, expectations were managed and fears subsided. No, there was no abseiling, rock-climbing, canoeing or orienteering. Instead each sales team had a number of outdoor tasks to achieve in a specific timeframe and each team would be observed by an external coach supported by a “safety-advisor” who knew the tasks “backwards”. Each team would be scored on their planning, decision making, communication and flexibility in their attempts to undertake the various tasks which involved doing a number of things with pipes, cages, ropes, ladders, balls, and an assortment of other implements and structures. The sense of relief around the room was very e

ineties in “outward-bound” type team building exercises involving very challenging physical activities centred around canoes, rafts, abseiling and generally “roughing it”, but there is a lot of anecdotal feedback that this type of the teambuilding tends to support individual development as opposed to actually developing teams.

What is potentially needed are less strenuous outdoor team activities that not only challenge both team and individual but also create experiential learning that participants can take back and apply with their teams in their own work environment. The activities also have to be fun and not induce a fear of one’s personal safety being compromised!

The Sales Director had seen the outdoor management and team task approach done before and was convinced that the “non-arduous” type of outdoor team activity was the way forward. At the pre-event brief, expectations were managed and fears subsided. No, there was no abseiling, rock-climbing, canoeing or orienteering. Instead each sales team had a number of outdoor tasks to achieve in a specific timeframe and each team would be observed by an external coach supported by a “safety-advisor” who knew the tasks “backwards”. Each team would be scored on their planning, decision making, communication and flexibility in their attempts to undertake the various tasks which involved doing a number of things with pipes, cages, ropes, ladders, balls, and an assortment of other implements and structures. The sense of relief around the room was very e

an take back and apply with their teams in their own work environment. The activities also have to be fun and not induce a fear of one’s personal safety being compromised!

The Sales Director had seen the outdoor management and team task approach done before and was convinced that the “non-arduous” type of outdoor team activity was the way forward. At the pre-event brief, expectations were managed and fears subsided. No, there was no abseiling, rock-climbing, canoeing or orienteering. Instead each sales team had a number of outdoor tasks to achieve in a specific timeframe and each team would be observed by an external coach supported by a “safety-advisor” who knew the tasks “backwards”. Each team would be scored on their planning, decision making, communication and flexibility in their attempts to undertake the various tasks which involved doing a number of things with pipes, cages, ropes, ladders, balls, and an assortment of other implements and structures. The sense of relief around the room was very e

team had a number of outdoor tasks to achieve in a specific timeframe and each team would be observed by an external coach supported by a “safety-advisor” who knew the tasks “backwards”. Each team would be scored on their planning, decision making, communication and flexibility in their attempts to undertake the various tasks which involved doing a number of things with pipes, cages, ropes, ladders, balls, and an assortment of other implements and structures. The sense of relief around the room was very evident but there was still a sense of “what I am going to learn from this?” around, especially as the rain continued to fall and the darkness closed in!

Why outside? Performing tasks outside has several advantages to performing them indoors. Firstly, it takes the teams out of their work environment and gives them a release from the pressures of the office or the conference room in the hotel. Even the rain and wind can be a refreshing change from the constant ring of the mobile and the dulcet tones of the manager! Secondly, the sheer movement from one location to the next frees up the mind and also releases energy for use both physically and mentally. Finally a good picturesque location can very inspiring and motivational. The great outdoors also gives people space to think and space to move, something which can be severely constricted when attempting to do tasks indoors with large groups of teams.

Our sales teams are now being introduced to the tasks and although there is a great deal of energy and excitement about there are varying degrees of focus and planning appears to be at minimum. All the energies are being used up in the teams “diving” into the first task. Different ideas and opinions are being voiced; some listened to, others ignored. Some people are coming “to the fore”, others starting to become more silent and “slinking” into the background. As they are timed events, the pressure to complete the task rises and voices are raised along with tensions. Frustrations of some become more evident, especially when the “safety adviser” deducts points for several of the task rules and constraints being ignored! Finally the whistle sounds for the end of the first task. There is a sense of relief that it is all over coupled with a sense of “we can do better at the next task!” Others appear to hope that the ground opens up and swallows them!

The coach, as observer, holds a post-task de-brief. They ask the team to do a self-assessment: What did they do well as a team? What didn’t work so well? W