Team Building - How to Deal with Those Who Don't Want to Join

Team Building - How to Deal with Those Who Don't Want to Join

Hi, I am heading a learning center with 60 staff. As part of a transformation process, we plan to have a team building exercise 500 km away from the office. However 25% of the staff ~ mostly ladies ~ have sent in letters saying they are not going. I feel like canceling the event but some have shown high commitment. Please advise how I should handle 25% group. Yazid.

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		1 Edmund Adu-Danso Project Manager, Ghana
	Team Building - Handling Those Who don't Want to Join Hello Yazid, This is an interesting one. I get the impression the event is still in the planning stages. I also get the impression this is an "old" team with set ways of doing things, and you are experiencing resistance to change. It is possible there is a lot of rancour and uncooperativeness. So what do you do? Your staff may be suffering from some form of disenchantment with the job which makes them resistant to change; perhaps a result of unfulfilled promises, a non-listening management, or a glass ceiling environment. The 25% who have written to excuse themselves may actually be speaking for a silent majority. When faced with a similar situation, studied the work environment, after which I drafted a questionnaire for them to respond to anonymously. From the results, I agreed with management on answers to their expectations. Then held small group sessions with the staff to orient them accordingly. Staff interaction and cooperation improved after that. Try this perhaps.

		2 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	How to Deal with People Who don't Want to Join a Team Building Exercise Since a large percentage is having objections, you need to take this seriously and show that you do.... Sign up