Building team spirit
Whether you like teambuilding weekends or not, they’re part of office life…
Conversation on teambuilding
Rob: Hey; Hilary... looking forward to the teambuilding weekend?
Hilary: No! I hate that whole touchy-feely approach. Just because some highly-paid management consultant decides that we should do some problem-solving I exercise with a light bulb and an egg cup and then indulge in a group hug, I don’t see why I should think it’s fantastic.
Rob: Oh, it’ll be a laugh! Especially the bit where we get to do role reversal with the boss. I’m looking forward to that!
Hilary: Well I think it’s a waste of money. I’d rather have the cash than spend 48 hours in a remote Scottish castle with people that I’d never choose to socialize with.
Rob: But it’s not about the money. If we all have the right attitude, this weekend will really benefit our working practices. Liv from the New York office went on a business retreat and she said it did wonders for morale and motivation. 1
Hilary: Terrific!
Rob: No, seriously, she said the weekend really identified ways that her department could improve its synergy; and I that the training programme helped increase everyone’s confidence. She says she’s much more solution-focussed since she went on the retreat.
Hilary: I can’t believe you’ve fallen for all that I corporate mumbo-jumbo. Next you’ll be suggesting that we have a group t’ai chi session in the office every morning.
Rob: Well, that might not be a bad idea. I’ve noticed some bad karma between you and some of your workmates.
Hilary: How very perceptive of you!
Rob: Well, I’m sure we’ll be able to work through any office friction. We’ve got a role-playing session to address "interpersonal relationships in the workplace". And there’s a workshop where we can express our frustrations through art.
Hilary: I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but it sounds so awful that I’m looking forward to Monday morning back in the office!
Conversation
Vocabulary and phrases
teambuilding weekend (GB) = week-end pour établir un esprit d’équipe
touchy-feely = basé sur le contact physique
problem-solving = résolution de problèmes
light bulb = ampoule
egg cup = coquetier
indulge in = se permettre
group hug = se serrer dans les bras des uns et des autres
role reversal = inversion des rôles
remote = isolé
working practices = façon de travailler
business retreat (US) = retraite pour affaires
do wonders = faire des merveilles
department = service
training programme = programme de formation
solution-focussed = centré sur la solution
fall for = se laisser prendre à
corporate mumbo-jumbo = jargon obscur d’entreprise
session = séance
workmates = collègues de travail
work through = assumer
role-playing = jeu de rôles
address interpersonal relationships = aborder les relations interpersonnelles
workshop = atelier
management consultant = conseiller en gestion
More teambuilding words and phrases
agenda = ordre du jour
co-worker = collègue
delegate = délégué(e)
discussion group = groupe de discussion
diversity training = formation pour se diversifier
expectation = attente
follow-through = suite
goal = objectif
group initiative = initiative de groupe
individual strengths = forces individuelles
prioritize = identifier ses priorités
schedule = programme
staff training = formation du personnel
team leader = chef d’équipe
team spirit = esprit d’équipe
teamwork = travail d’équipe
Feel free to ask questions = N’hésitez pas à poser des questions
The seminar will last an hour = Le séminaire va durer une heure
Who are you having your one-to-one session with? = Avec qui as-tu ta réunion en tête-à-tête?
Who is your partner for the role-playing? = Qui est ton partenaire pour la séance de psychodrame?