The outdoors beckons

HR managers have had to put their thinking caps on to find ways to increase team cohesion, as conventional methods often ended in failure. The wilderness-training programme also known as the outbound management-development training programme was the outcome of their efforts in this area. Today, wannabe team leaders, managers and prospective employees are bundled off on what outwardly seems like an escapade to the jungle. For the employees, the wilderness experience gives them a chance to get away from the confines of the lack-lustre office environs.

However, using this tool the HRD department gets the employees to actively participate in innovative team building exercises and self- assessment initiatives that help discover their potential. The training would prove invaluable to the HR department in terms of the feedback received from the facilitators, their observations on each employee's strengths, weaknesses and areas of improvement. The information would be used during appraisals and promotions and recruiting in the case of prospective candidates. Using this tool effectively, the HR can leverage the performance of employees, spotting strengths and harnessing them, and making team bonding a reality in the process.

As mentioned last week, the Outbound training (OBT) makes use of a number of outdoor experiences and exercises-coracling, jungle navigation, abseiling, ropes course and management games to name a few. Each exercise has been formulated with a certain end in mind, and designed in a way that gives participants a chance to stretch their minds and bodies to the maximum.

Accord Consultants Pvt Ltd based at Bangalore is a management consultant, which provides the OBT training package to corporates. Teams are sent by corporates for an 8-day training session. Typically a large group of employees are divided into subgroups of 5 members each. The man- woman ratio remains constant in all teams. The group of facilitators from Accord ensure that the groups are well balanced and equipped with the necessary gear.

Coracling towards teamwork

The OBT includes a coracling session. Here participants are strapped to life jackets, after which they learn to coracle, and engage in water sports. Four participants form a team and are assigned a coracle (a circular boat).

While coracling the teams collect as many floating balls as possible. Each ball carries a certain value (points written on them). The team with the highest score wins.

After this exercise individuals, if they choose to, can venture out on their own in kayaks. This helps participants to learn rowing as well as take on higher levels of difficulty after encountering initial team based success.

Positives of the exercise

* Team work in action, with a non-competitive approach

* Group-feeling

* Being neither a leader nor a follower

* Feeling the need for trust, support and encouragement

The exercise is designed to help the employees break free from the fear of being a failure. It also makes them perform in an atmosphere free from pressure. The dread of being isolated due to failure is also removed, and participants can come out of their shell and experience team dynamics in totality.

Jungle navigation

An important module in the OBT package is Jungle navigation. The teams get to venture out into the forest both at night as well as during the day. They are given torches, compasses, maps and supplies. The strategy of reconnaissance is learnt and put to use. This is a method by which an advance party is sent out to scout the area. Their job is make sure that the track is danger- free. The participants are divided into teams and have to walk in a single file, and pass word to the next person in line about the condition of the track and finally relayed in this manner to the whole group, thus improving navigation. Experienced facilitator- guides lead from the front and back up the rear without giving any instruction as the teams are left to themselves to find the way. The night-trek however is an exception as the guides lead the teams.

The teams get to venture out into seemingly dangerous environment. They learn to steer clear of danger, rely on safety in numbers as well as be prepared to catch a glimpse of the local fauna-bears, leopards and snakes. The teams need to use their sense of direction and judgement to reach their destination. Individuals also learn to warn team- mates of potential dangers along the way, as well as describe the terrain to those following in their footsteps.

This when applied to real life situations teaches teams to rely on group motivation to realise team-based goals. Also the checks made at regular intervals teach the team to ensure that they are heading in the right direction. This increases communication and employees are taught to be alert to the presence of `corporate bears and snakes' at all times.

Marquee establishments

As tents are used to shelter the participants, one of the first tasks for the groups is to observe a set of tents already pitched by the facilitators. Each team makes a general estimate of how much time is required for them to pitch a similar tent. The teams are then timed according to deadlines set by them. Each team is given the required gear- torches, tent ribs, canopy, pegs, hammers and canvas.

After all the teams have pitched their tents, a de-briefing session follows. The facilitators ask each team member to recount his experience. Successes and shortcomings are discussed. Individuals get to see team work in action or note the failure of teamwork, as the case may be.

Pooling of skills helps in achieving the goal. The combination of skills by the team, and the need for individual commitment is stressed throughout the exercise. Teams first discuss the plan of action, and decide on the best way to go about using the resources at hand. It develops an appreciation of skills by team members, as well as makes the participant aware of his potential and how it contribute to improving team performance. Mutual support and trust are created within the group.

The vital ingredients of group performance enhancement in the debriefing session are:

* Describing experiences

* Sharing and learning

* Explaining the difference between plans and their practical execution

* Exchanging comments and feelings

* Explaining how plans were adjusted to include others' ideas

* Feedback on performance

Problem solving and decision-making skills are naturally honed and team bonding becomes effortless.

ARCHANA JAYAKAR

archana.hyd@careercmmunity.co.in