“Is collaboration a natural way of working?
This is probably the most important question we’ve been asking ourselves since Moodmaker started developing collaborative teambuilding events (see also: Team building: competitive vs collaborative).
It’s a question we ask at the start of every teambuilding event. And every time, most of the participants raise their hands in approval. Social pressure and glares from colleagues and managers certainly influence this result.
But do we really work together as well as we think we do? Or does the balance between cooperation and competition tip the balance after all?
Years of experience in leading collaborative team building activities clearly show that teams overestimate their ability to work together and that the competitive aspect between teams takes precedence.
Predictable human behaviour
This is (unfortunately) a natural tendency, both in real life and at a team-building event. Managers work hard to ensure that they don’t create silos within their company. Silos that create an “us” versus “them” mentality or hinder communication in any way.
Team building helps managers get this message across . People can be told or shown something. But it’s only when they experience it that it really sinks in!
That’s precisely why our teambuildings are so effective: they allow participants to see how effective cooperation influences team performance and the working atmosphere.