Team Bonding
Meaningful bonds on a team are invaluable.
Solid bonds allow team members to navigate challenges together, confidently propose, test, and refine ideas, ask for help when needed, and find solace during troubled moments.
Anyone who has been on a team and felt the rewards of meaningful and resilient bonds knows how such connections transform the work experience. The daily rhythm of showing up to our jobs can be significantly enhanced or diminished based on the quality of our relationships with other team members.
For whatever reason, we somehow leave the possibility of having enjoyable bonds to chance. We often believe we either like someone or we don't. While there is truth to natural chemistry, there is also something to be said for the craft of connecting.
Relating to our fellow team members to improve the quality of our connections is an art form. However, it's an art form rarely taught.
Quite often, managers with decent intentions try to create bonding experiences: happy hours, ropes course, escape rooms, off-sites, and on and on. These attempts can be somewhat fun, a bit awkward, little meaningful gets surfaced, and even less impacts daily operations.
Some managers will hear that vulnerability creates bonding. Which, when explored safely and with understanding, it can. However, not all forms of opening up are appropriate for a work context. An not all managers know how to create the context and safety for productive vulnerability.
I recently heard about a manager who invited all the team members to share a traumatic childhood memory. That is so wildly absurd it's tragically comical. From what I heard, several people left traumatized. No surprise there.
If you are a manager, don't do that.
If you want to invite the possibility of vulnerability productively, try asking the team what they think would need to happen to create more safety of expression on the team. And then, listen carefully and ask honest questions to understand the perspectives that arise. This will get the ball going.
If you want to speed up the process, hire a facilitator or coach. There are plenty to choose from, and some can be excellent.
