I work largely as an architect, and have developed a pretty big enterprise application based on SOA. Turns out my teamleader has been skilling up the indians behind my back even though I've been spending time and effort preparing a formal handover (to describe the design decisions and why). It just breeds lack of trust and sends the wrong message about the value of my work. Now I'm too furious to even talk to anyone. Do I sit in silence for the next 3 weeks waiting for my transfer?
A:
Alcohol. Getting drunk together is a remarkably effective team building tool, and can bring many buried issues to the surface if not help resolve them. It does depend on the culture though. I would say in most English speaking countries a team is not a team until they have gotten drunk together.
As an aside I have noticed smoking has a similar effect. A lot of the bonding and decision making in the team happens outside when members smoke together. A bit unfortunate for the non-smokers like me, especially introverted non-smokers, but that's what I have observed.
Kurt
2010-06-11 09:09:41
Unfortunately alcohol does not work as a bonding agent with people who don't drink. Many Indians are teetotal for religious reasons. Also, if the team is spread across five time-zones it can be difficult to get everybody together for a cheeky vimto of an evening. Both considerations apply in this case.
APC
2010-06-11 09:15:11
Our team doesn't socialise, as we have a micromanaging boss that destroys morale. No one wants to spend time together in a work related environment..
Jonathan
2010-06-11 09:39:22
Plus I don't drink or smoke, but yes, when i did it was much easier to cultivate some form of team spirit
Jonathan
2010-06-11 09:41:25