Do you see value in the EcoSeagate team
development process?
There
were several statements that stood out to me concerning EcoSeagate:
·
“This week you will learn to make
sacrifices”
·
“Healthy conflict is based on a new found trust”
·
“Not who you are, but who you will become”
·
“If you do nothing, then nothing will
happen, and nothing will change.”
As
good as EcoSeagate seems, I do see flaws. The video clips are motivating, and EcoSeagate
positively highlights how everyone is responsible for their team success thru
the understanding and application of team trust, team commitment and respect
for eachother. However, I feel there is
a false sense of reality here. Team
building sessions like what EcoSeagate does are great, but in the business world
teamwork is not guaranteed and EcoSeagate does not address what happens when
there is failure. What is overlooked is the
fact that sometimes a team dynamics work does not work with the participants no
matter what a leader does. Here is an
example, the Discovery Channel has a realty series titled Naked & Afraid
where a new pair of strangers must learn to survive together for 21 days with
no food, no water and no clothes. On the
show, the team must face sacrifice, conflict and deal with the fact that is their
team dynamics fails, there is no do over and no one there to will bail them
out.
Why would something like this be necessary
in a high-performing organization?
Teamwork
experts all agree that high-performance organizations consistently outperform
competitors. Leaders in high-performing
organizations understand that in this type of organization, its people are its
assets. These leaders also have a clear understanding that teamwork can
be key/crucial to its success. I do not think
the EcoSeagate activities would be necessary in a high-performing organization;
however they could be used as a refresher and something to break the monotony when
compliancy sets in. The EcoSeagate
activities could be used as motivation when morale is low.
Could your organization benefit from a
similar activity?
While
I think my organization would benefit, I would really like to see senior
management participate in something like this.
I think before something like this would benefit the organization I work
for, there has to be a serious change in culture starting from the top. The operational environment of the federal government
is mandated by various federal and state laws.
To add to the situation such activities may not be allowed with federal
funds. I have to say that we have no
choice but to perform optimally at all times. However I do believe that several
of my previous organizations could benefit from a fun, outdoor activity like
the EcoSeagate experience. Overall, I personally
think that this is a great tool for a company to use, because I have personally
done activities something similar to this.
References
Brown, D. R. (2011). An
experiential approach to organization
Development (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Watkins. B. (2008). EcoSeagate and Team Development.
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/naked-and-afraid
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