Team building and Teamwork are definitely not the same.

You are scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, and you come across one of those videos of people doing a teambuilding activity in a hotel or a conference room (like the picture I posted above). Typically, you will see whoever posted this affirming something like, "this is what teamwork is all about!".

My unpopular opinion is that "This is NOT it!". Team building and teamwork are often used interchangeably, but they are far from accurate representations. Here are a few reasons why I believe so:

First, the scope is soooo different. Team building is synonymous with fun activities, often contained and specific - in a controlled environment and with expected variables. It might involve trust falls, escape rooms, or other engaging exercises. However, teamwork extends far beyond the boundaries of a single activity. It encompasses the daily collaboration, communication, and coordination required to achieve collective goals, making it more scattered and ambiguous. It is far from being a controlled environment and involves far more variables (often unknown).

One more reason: office politics. Team building events generally steer clear of office politics. In contrast, teamwork is embedded in the workplace environment, where navigating office politics becomes critical. Understanding and managing interpersonal dynamics become crucial for successful teamwork.

Additionally, where is the risk? Team building exercises are designed to be low-risk, focusing on fostering camaraderie. In contrast teamwork involves navigating various risks, including potential impacts on reputation, job security, compensation, bonuses, and more. The stakes are higher, requiring individuals to handle challenges beyond the confines of a fun team building activity.

Oh, and the temporal dynamics are also very different. Team building activities have a clear beginning, middle, and end, often concluding within a day or stretched over a brief period. Teamwork, however, is a continuous process. The goalposts are dynamic, and frequently shifting, and there can sometimes be a clearer endpoint. The challenges and collaborations persist, requiring sustained effort and adaptability.

Finally, in real life, you face multiple decision-making layers. While team building activities encourage autonomy and participation, the daily grind of teamwork involves multiple decision-making layers. Working with peers, bosses, and executives introduces complexity and challenges, sometimes hijacking individual autonomy. The fun and games of team building do not mirror the intricate dynamics of daily work collaboration.

In conclusion, while team building is undoubtedly a fun and valuable activity that can create bonds within a team, it is not a panacea for building a cohesive and effective team. True teamwork demands ongoing commitment, resilience in the face of challenges, and the ability to navigate the complexities of the workplace. As we engage in both team building and teamwork, it's essential to recognize their distinctions and appreciate the unique contributions each makes to the overall dynamics of a team. What do you think?

Dr. Rafael Chiuzi

Organizational Psychologist Ph.D., holds the appointment of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Organizational Behaviour, and HRM at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

www.rafaelchiuzi.ca