Saturday, June 4, 2011

Team Building - The Aftermath

When I was a high school kid I used to join these school camping trips. When separating us in groups, they usually put students of the same class in different groups so as to encourage us to mix around. I didn't like it at all. I was quite anti-social (still am) and I wasn't good at talking to strangers (still am not).

I recently joined a graduate team building organized by the company that I'm working with. No matter how I detested the idea of re-living my high school life in this form in particular - I felt that I was too old for it - it was compulsory to join.

I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy it at all - in fact, at some time in some way, I actually did. Though I was often mocked of my childish behavior by my colleagues throughout the whole journey. I admit that I may have gotten a little excited sometimes but I'm actually a very matured being especially when it comes to work.

From previous experiences, I knew that my colleagues (of the same department) and I would most probably be in different groups when playing games or other team building activities. But I didn't mind it - I've grown out of it of course. I mean, I have to say that it was a good opportunity to be able to get to know my colleagues from other departments. I know that I'm the reserved type and it'd definitely take some time for me to open up to the others; and others to me. What I didn't expect was that there were still some people with the "high-school-behavior". The team builders would randomize us by asking us to form a circle and call out numbers (for example from 1 to 5) thus all the ones are in a group; twos in a group; threes in a group and so on and so forth. Two girls, I observed, they purposely stand in the positions so that there would be 4 persons in between them, thus they would be in the same group. I was amazed.

I think that since that you're already there, whether you like it or not, you should just play by the rules. Otherwise, what is the point of being there? I'm not saying that I'm doing the socializing thing really well, but at least I'm trying. I don't think that I've bonded with my colleagues and immediately become close friends with them. But at least I know their faces, I've talked to them before, I've did something with them before and hopefully I remember their names.

6 comments:

MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOE said...

You anti-social?? Didn't talk much with strangers ??- Dun reli fit your profile now!!

thE gEOgrAphicAlly blind said...

Well you don't know me in person. I'm different from the blogger me ;)

Anonymous said...

hahaha glad to know that you did not totally rejected and detested the whole trip! sure you have a different perspective now at gatherings and team buildings!

thE gEOgrAphicAlly blind said...

PCH, I don't really mind actually if they give me decent accomodation and indoor activities which did not require much physical skills.

Anonymous said...

Kudos on being an adult in this Shinloo! Since you're already there, might as well play by the rules, i like your attitude :) I am an introvert too. And making new friends still terrifies me sighs. I really think we might be twins or doppelgangers...

thE gEOgrAphicAlly blind said...

Lolz... It's not really news that both of us are really alike :) in basically, everything! Anyway, I hope I don't have to go to anymore of these social events :S