So we’ve all been told that at this years corporate event we all have to go on the corporate team building day. Now I’m not adverse to doing this. It’s a good excuse to get out of the office, and even when in the past it has been stupid or a little boring, it’s a normal working day so it is a little like being paid to do something less boring than being at work. So I’ve never had a problem with doing them.
This year however the team building activity is going into the forest to climb through and up some trees. Now to begin with this sounds alright. It is something a bit different, it gets us out into the fresh air, it sounds all good. Complaints began with some of the older members of the office. Some people aren’t as young as they used to be and perhaps would struggle a little with doing indiana jones style climbing though barrels and over cargo nets. The moans became worse as someone found out about what the company was spending on it, and an email was sent around about the amount of wine and beer that could have been bought instead! Now I think this is silly – of course the company is never going to pay for us to just go and drink beer. I defended it, and tried to convince people that it would be quite good fun.
The point where I crossed over though was when I found out about the jump. At the end of the assault course, you have a rope that is attached to a giant fan tied to you, and you have to throw yourself off the platform. Now as you speed up, the rotation of the fan slows you down meaning you get to the ground at quite a slow speed – but you do have to throw yourself off the platform first. Now this is the point where I thought "no way!". How is throwing yourself off a perfectly built platform good for team bonding? How is that going to help us in the office? I just don’t understand.
I’ll go, because I have to go. I’ll even genuinely try and have a good time whilst I’m there – there is no point ruining the day for myself. However, I really hope it turns out to be good, because with all the bad feeling that is brewing about this right now, I think there may well end up being a mutiny if it turns out to be a bad day.