I have often said that our version of the Amazing Race is our biggest-selling team building program in Phuket. Why is that?
- It gets everyone involved.
- Suitable for both extroverts and introverts.
- Highly competitive and high energy.
- Takes groups out of the hotel for a while.
- Allows participants to see a bit of the island.
- Includes interaction with the local community.
- Not too physically demanding.
- Offers varied challenges and is a nice mix of activities.
But some groups make the race extra special. This group, back in 2019, was one such case. The company was from the oil and gas industry and based out of Singapore and Malaysia. It was a group of 40 department heads and senior leaders, staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket at Patong Beach.
When I think of my favourite team building experiences in Phuket, I always come back to this particular group as a standout. While we didn’t do anything different from normal as far as the race setup itself, the participants had a certain ‘buzz’ which carried through all day.
We started the race in the morning, stopped for lunch in a fantastic beachside restaurant along the way, and ended the race mid-afternoon. Then, my team was back in the evening to continue the merriment over dinner with some dinner and audience stage games.
The energy levels did not drop even for a second. It was obvious that this team had incredibly strong and positive relationships with one another. I always look for this in the groups I work with. I’ve worked with so many groups in which the senior leaders do not really engage. When this happens, there is a disconnect with the rest of the group and energy and enthusiasm are low. But when the leaders demonstrate positivity and a sense of humour, the dynamics of the group change completely.
I’m not saying that leaders should behave like clowns. But I strongly believe that they should bring a certain ‘energy’ to the group. Passion, interest, humour, rapport. Too many leaders take themselves too seriously. While you’re on a team building program with your colleagues, forget about the potential effect of upcoming tarrifs on your bottom line and loosen up. Your responsibility as a leader is not just to your shareholders. It’s also to your team.
Anyway, this particular group had the right leaders in the right places. The atmosphere was electric all day and the managing director was a fan of stand-up comedy, as I am. While I’m no Ricky Gervais (although I am certainly a bit of a fanboy), I did manage to land a few memorable quips and risqué anecdotes of my own and enjoyed my time in the spotlight with this outstanding team that I will remember forever.