From Strangers to Friends: The Power of Team-Building in Creating Lasting Connections

This year, we organized a two-day, one-night team-building event at Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh. Under my supervision, we had a total of 11 batches, with an average of around 30 participants per batch.

As a facilitator, I had the chance to participate in different batches, and each one provided me with unique experiences and insights. It was fascinating to see how individuals from different functions, age groups, personalities, and backgrounds came together. Some of us had known each other for 11 years or less, but we had never been so close before.

During one particular batch, I experienced a complete 360-degree shift in my perception of one of our Senior Associate Director. Until then, I had always seen her as a leader with a strict and fierce demeanor. Unexpectedly, during the team-building event, I gained a deeper understanding of her. I noticed that she really cares about being on time because she values every moment and wants to show respect for other people's time. This resonated with me deeply, as I share the belief that punctuality reflects respect for others' time and prevents unnecessary waiting. Her cooperative spirit during all the activities, her willingness to travel by bus alongside staff at all levels, and her approachable and friendly nature, despite her serious appearance, left a lasting impression. Her sporty and down-to-earth attitude was truly commendable, and I even found her cute! Witnessing how she gracefully carries herself as a leader within our company has fostered profound respect and admiration within me.

On the whole, my attendance at these batches has bestowed me with valuable insights:

1.??????Generation gaps are not barriers when we communicate and accept differences:

• ?????????During the team-building activities, I observed that there were no generation gaps when it came to working together towards common goals. Despite our age range spanning from 20s to 60s, we all played our hardest to complete the tasks and achieve the highest scores. It was inspiring to see the determination and energy of our team members, proving that age is just a number. The best part is that despite the age differences, we all get along well, have fun together, and talk without feeling like there's a big age gap between us.

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2.??????Position level is not a barrier to success; collaboration is key:

• ???????Regardless of position level, from non-executive to senior general manager, and even up to the CEO level, it was inspiring to see our senior management team embrace humility and participate wholeheartedly in the team-building activities. They set aside their positions and joined us in playing and completing each challenge. This demonstrated the importance of humble leadership, and we feel grateful to have such down-to-earth leaders who walk the talk.

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3.??????Leadership that leads by example:

• ?????????One memorable moment was seeing our CEO and senior general manager actively engaging and playing games with staff at all levels. This shattered the perception of them being serious and strict leaders. It allowed us to witness their down-to-earth nature and fostered a closer connection with them. They displayed remarkable sportsmanship, even going as far as arranging transportation and sitting on the same bus as everyone else. They truly led by example.
• Plank, horse stance, Hindi dance, water slides, jumping rope, swimming – you name it, our senior leaders were up for the challenge and played it all without a hitch! Lol.

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4.??????Engaging with people from different divisions and breaking departmental barriers:

• ?????????Many of us tend to stick to our own departments, often not knowing colleagues from other divisions well, even after working together for years. However, this team-building event provided an opportunity to break those barriers. We engaged in various activities, such as short tours in Ipoh city, foot spas, hot spring soaks, walks through the luminous forest, and joyfully singing during dinner. These shared experiences brought us closer and deepened our connections as colleagues. In just two days and one night, we created unforgettable memories. Through this event, for every batch, I got to know at least 30 colleagues better out of the 350 staff members.

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5.??????Leveraging on each other's strengths and capabilities:

• ????????Everyone has different strengths, and we learned to leverage them during the activities. Some excelled in physical challenges, while others played supporting roles as timekeepers or recorders. We complemented each other's skills, realizing that without each team member, we couldn't have achieved our mission. This taught us the importance of trusting and believing in our teammates. When we believe in each other, we work better as a team.

Through these insights, we indirectly improved communication and collaboration within our team. We realized the importance of getting to know our colleagues, building connections, and working together to achieve our common goals. Ultimately, we all aim for the same goal set by our leaders and the company. By continuing to work together, we can overcome obstacles and achieve great results, fostering a positive working culture and a happier environment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with each of my colleagues during the team-building event. It reminded me of the importance of organizing such events, as they enhance communication, collaboration, and the utilization of our strengths and capabilities. They bring us closer as colleagues and contribute to the success of our company. Let's continue aiming for our common goals, working together, and creating a positive and rewarding working environment for everyone! ??

Here's to building stronger connections and unlocking our collective potential!

Ahem.. The story isn't over yet, and I'd love to share a bit about what goes on behind the scenes as an HR when organizing our awesome team-building events:

Behind the scenes, the success of all these 11 batches wouldn't have been possible without the help and coordination of my amazing team members. I feel incredibly honored to have such a fantastic team - Ashley, Raisha, Athirah, and Carmen. They have been dedicated and committed to preparing all the facilitation, coordination, and administrative work. (Though these might sound easy, they're actually the most tedious and time-consuming aspects! It has never been easy.)

A special shoutout goes to Ashley, my executive, who despite being a fresh graduate with zero experience, efficiently handled all 11 batches. She managed the name lists, swapped names when needed, rearranged the schedule, and sent out calendar invites for every batches. She meticulously followed up with the staff, from attendance and car arrangements to health declarations and parking arrangements etc. She even made adjustments for those facing emergencies. Paying attention to all these small details sounds easy, but it actually takes time, and she did it all with determination and patience, even adapting to my way of working! I couldn't be prouder of this young lady in her early 20s for contributing so much to the success of our team-building!

Having this awesome wonder on my team makes me feel immensely grateful. Ashley, you're a total game-changer, and you made our team-building a smashing success! ??

And let's not forget about our entire team members/committees - they're all stars in their own right! When we come together, we become an unstoppable force! During the team-building, my team personality assessment revealed we're like a dynamic duo of animals - a Lion perfectly complemented by a St Bernard. What a perfect combos! ????

Now, here's my last conclusion and insight: Team-building is more than just an event; it's an ongoing process that keeps us connected and helps us grow stronger as a team continuously.

It's all about the KISS method - which I apply - Keeping positive vibes and mindset, Improving together, Starting today, and Stopping from being closed off to only ourselves but opening up to the rest! ??

"Find something that you can start and change, beginning with small steps that can create a difference in your life. Let's begin to think and act on it to create a healthier and more positive working environment. Remember, it all starts with YOU!" ~ Helen Koay ??