Have you ever yawned because you saw someone else do it?

Your friend yawns, you can't stop yourself from yawing back. This physical trigger to mirror what someone in your group is doing also applies with attitudes.

All teams have vibes that are just as contagious as a yawn. Next time you find yourself in a group situation, pay attention to the to the attitudes of those around you. Does the confidence of one person rub off on the group?

Studies and my personal experience at the ropes course working as a facilitator in team building exercises bear this out as truth. When the team is gaining confidence its infectious. Our challenge is to keep that positive attitude growing like a snowball down a hill.

This is not an Example of "Team Building"

If you follow college football, you might have seen this story published by the Daily Hampshire Gazette regarding the football program at the University of Massachusetts. A video was posted showing what head coach Charley Molnar describes as a "team-building" exercise that instills "mental toughness." 

This is what Molnar was reported to say to the Gazette,

“We tried to get these guys to feel that fear, but go out there and do it anyway,” he added. “We never had one guy not go out and box or wrestle. Some of them went out with a lot of trepidation, but by the end of the cycle were thoroughly enjoying the activity. We did all these activities with safety in mind. I’m a fanatic about player safety. I thought it aided in team-building. Guys faced the fear and fought through it. That was the objective.”

As the owner and operator of Upward Enterprises, I can say with expert knowledge in all forms of team building, that this is NOT Team building. Football players being ordered to wrestle each other on the field is just poor judgment. How can beating up fellow team mates be used as a way to build camaraderie and spirit? Disgraceful.