Finding the right formula for fitness and teambuilding

One of the best ways in which to examine the intricacies of successful teams is via the sports world. It is common knowledge amongst sporting coaches that even when a team possesses the greatest players in the world, it can still fail to perform. Just wait for the Olympics in Beijing later this year, I can guarantee there will be several upsets, with the favourites falling to less talented, but more unified teams. Top coaches refer to teams, which work well together as having ‘chemistry'. However, chemistry is not just an essential factor on the sports field; it is also essential to any office.

The most effective solution to developing a new team's chemistry is to hold a teambuilding event. In the July issue of Network HR, Luke Lombe - ClarkMorgan's teambuilding guru - wrote a fantastic article on the ways in which you can get your employees out of the office and engaged in exciting activities. Luke and other ClarkMorgan trainers have created and implemented a string of highly effective teambuilding events for major multinational organisations across China, creating incredible energy and synergy. For all organisations though, one of the most pressing teambuilding questions is how they can maintain and strengthen the bonds formed during these types of events. Also in the last issue of Network HR, my colleague from our Beijing office, Maggie Nee, wrote an insightful article on alternative approaches to health and fitness. This set me thinking. Surely, we could combine these two factors - fitness and teambuilding. How can your organisation get fit and develop chemistry?

Sports, Exercise,and Synergy

Teamwork, self-development, and personal drive to succeed have given human beings a passion for sports for many years. The Chinese Olympic Committee asserts that Chinese people practiced archery as a sport during the Western Zhou dynasty and enjoyed polo during the Tang dynasty, which began in 618BC. The desire to work together to overcome adversity also plays a major role in the popularity of sports. 

These factors make using sports as a teambuilding tool a fantastic idea. I realise that many sports - such as running, swimming, or table tennis are often a one-person activity. However, this does not negate the chance to build chemistry. Such sports may involve an element of solitude, but they also offer tremendous opportunities for post-game socialising, another essential element in developing chemistry. 

There is a good chance that many of your employees are already passionate about at least one sport. The last survey undertaken by the Chinese State Administration of Sport in 2000 revealed that 34% of Chinese people are involved in regular sporting activities - a second survey is currently underway with a rise of around 3% expected. I am sure it is the same at your organisation. For example, if you have employees who get up super early to go swimming, running or do Tai-Ji before work, you can see that not only are they full of energy, but they have the dedication to follow their interests. If you can harness this commitment and enthusiasm, you can certainly develop some fantastic chemistry.

Intramural Leagues

Even though you most commonly find intramural leagues in universities and in colleges, there is no reason they cannot be applied to your organisation or to an office complex. They provide an excellent opportunity for people of all levels to participate in sports. Chinese software company, Neusoft is on the right track here. They recently affirmed, in the pages of China Daily, their commitment to providing all employees access to sporting facilities such as tennis courts and football pitches, so as to build energy and spirit within their employees.

Intramural leagues could be easily set up between different companies or between different departments within a company. There are several reasons why they are an excellent way to boost fitness and develop chemistry. For instance, they are flexible. You can choose the time, the sport and the location to fit in with your organisation's schedule. They are also friendly and fun. Games between departments or another organisation in the same office complex will not be like the NBA, CBA, or Premier League - they will be fun, relaxed, and they will give everyone the chance to participate.

Connectivity

I realise, this is a strange word to find in a sports based article. However, with the growth of such websites as Facebook, Zhanzuo and MySpace, it is obvious that more and more people are seeking to forge relationships with people who share their interests. You may not be able to reach as many people as those websites - Facebook has 100,000 users in China and Zhanzuo 7million- but you can do something similar in your office. This could be as simple as providing a location for staff to post announcements about a sport or activity - a notice-board on your wall or a message-board online. Alternatively, you could create employee profiles that include details about everyone's interests, which you can then mix and match so as to introduce staff members with similar hobbies. Introducing employees with similar sporting interests allows them toshare activities and develop great chemistry together.

Alternatives

"Alternative Health" is a term that commonly describes activities, which adopt a much more holistic approach tofitness. Yoga, Tai-Ji, and GongFu are probably three of the most well known examples. Emphasising flexibility, agility, strength, and grace, we often view these as traditionally individual activities. However, larger groups of people who participate in this type of activity together can derive a myriad of health benefits, including reduced levels of stress, increased focus, and higher energy levels, while at the same time strengthening the bonds essential to a highly effective team.

Mental Agility

For this one, I want to change things a little. The ideas above will certainly help your team stay in tip-top physical shape, but what about keeping your team sharp mentally? Many of your staff will be interested in participating in sports, but others may not be so keen, and don't forget members of your team who may be in different locations across China or the world. How do you get these people involved? How do you ensure they are part of your organisation's fantastic chemistry? You could create activities based around cerebral activities, such as logic puzzles, Western chess or Chinese chess.

Kicking Off

The ideas I offer here are simply a taste of some of the activities you could introduce. The crucial factor in any scheme like this is to choose something that fits your organisation and its employees. Even though organising a large scale program will require a significant investment of time and effort from both you and your employees, the results will be worth it. By providing your employees the chance to share a cherished activity with their colleagues, you are giving them far more than the chance to share a common interest and to play a sport; you are giving them the chance to develop deeper friendships and bonds with their colleagues. It is these bonds that can make an office or a company begins to feel less like a nine to five job and more like a home. If you are serious about retaining the top talent that you have recruited, theinitial investment pales by comparison. Good luck, and remember to have fun!