5 Reasons Why Teams Don’t Work

Kippure Estate staff taking part in a team building event
(from left to right: Sinead, Clíona, Grainne)

Terms like “teamwork,” “teambuilding” and other related expressions are usually engrained in us from the time we are young. “Best team player” awards are given out in primary school and the importance of playing well with others is emphasized on the mini football field, on the playground or in the junior ballet studio. As adults, meetings round the physical or virtual boardroom table and corporate social events strive to create a team culture to boostmorale, and of course productivity, in the workplace.

Many of us have heard the saying, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” suggesting that individuals working together are more effective and successful than if they were working alone. But what happens when working together doesn’t work?

Here are some of the most common reasons why teams don’t work and how you can address these challenges:

1) The Purpose is Unknown

If a team has no idea what their purpose is, how can they ever have a chance of being successful? It is important to outline key objectives for the team and as well as a method to assess whether these goals are being met.

2) No Leadership

A team without clear leadership often lacks direction. This does not mean the leader(s) are supposed to make all of the decisions for the team. Instead, their role is to act as a facilitator for the team. This role may include delegation, helping keep meetings on track, scheduling, etc.

3) “Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen”

In some cases, having fewer members on a team is more effective than more. In fact, Harvard professor and leading researcher in team dynamics, J. Richard Hackman, recommends team numbers don’t go into the double digits. Of course if you are referring to an entire workplace as a “team,” we’re not saying start handing out the pink slips. But forming groups such as sub-committees should include those that are passionate about and have something to offer towards that team’s goals.  

4) Inconsistent Membership

Additionally, it should be 100% clear who belongs to the team. Leaders should not randomly invite everyone and their grandmother to the odd meeting for fear of someone “feeling left out”. It does not mean that new members cannot join. But generally speaking, the longer members work together, the better they perform together.

5) Scared to “Rock the Boat”

Contrary to what many of us believe, those that have opposing opinions are valuable in team situations. Hackman calls these people “deviants”.  In an interview with the Harvard Business Review (2009), Hackman said, “Every team needs a deviant, someone who can help the team by challenging the tendency to want too much homogeneity, which can stifle creativity and learning.” 

When “Teambuilding” Does NOT Work

A study conducted by Vodafone UK and YouGov (that surveyed over 1,000 individuals in the workplace) revealed that 54% of respondents felt that engaging in additional teambuilding activities would not lead to successfully improving team dynamics around the workplace. “The survey carried out by Vodafone UK and YouGov suggests workers feel that some organised team-building activities can be a waste of time, and at worst, are toe-curlingly embarrassing,” reported The Telegraph on February 6, 2012. 

A more recent publication (Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance by W. Gibb Dyer, Jr. et al.) explains why the numerous HR professionals and managers they surveyed are reluctant to organize teambuilding activities. For example,  many shared, “I’m concerned the possible negative effects will outweigh the benefits,” based on “horror stories” they’ve heard, such as participants feeling they’re private lives were invaded or that events rose into a destructive “bloodbath” of competition. Those who are hesitant or even opposed to try “team building” events may have good reason to feel that way—they may have heard anecdotes or even participated in unsuccessful teambuilding activities. 

Misuse of Term

One reason why teambuilding doesn’t work is because it is not properly defined. In a recent LinkedIn discussion entitled “Team Building Doesn’t Work,” many teambuilding managers and team building facilitators agreed that the term “team building” may be used too broadly. “Clients of ours talk about doing team building, [and] what we find is that they have taken part in team bonding exercises,” said one participant in the discussion. “This could be bowling, a curry night what ever. When asked what key deliverables they wanted to take away from these days, the conversation ended.” This does not mean that team bonding or socializing events are not important, but rather they can compliment and foster actual teambuilding events. 

Undefined Goals

For teambuilding to actually work there must be defined goals (or “key deliverables” as mentioned above) which are specific to the group. Participants also need to be able to acknowledge the relevance of how defined objectives can be transferred to the workplace. For example, organising a corporate social responsibility event – such as creating toys for a children’s charity – can be used to work towards the goal of improving teamwork in the workplace. Facilitators can debrief the group on this target goal, and promote open discussion throughout the activity where participants are ideally inspired to come together to work for a worthy cause beyond their own agenda. 

Successful Team Building 

KippureCorporate is made up of an enthusiastic staff of highly experienced team building providers. Our priority is to facilitate beneficial activities in a positive environment. We avoid putting participants in embarrassing situations and we are very consciouls of not letting events get too competitive. We practice the philosophy of “challenge by choice”, which means we don’t force anyone into any situation they are not comfortable with. Kippure Corporate will work with you to identify team building goes and help you select from our extensive array of team building programmes and activities based on your group’s needs and interests. See more at: http://www.teambuildingireland.com/

Brittas Bay. One of the East Coast’s Finest Beaches.

Brittas Bay offers a 5km Stretch of Fine White Sand

We bet you didn’t know that there was an EU Blue Flag beach within an hour’s drive of Kippure Estate! The Blue Flag is only awarded to the best beaches across Europe, and Brittas Bay has won one for five consecutive years. If you’re looking for something to do for a day trip from Kippure Estate, you can head to a serene, sandy stretch of beach with options for going out sailing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming and taking scenic walks. There are also networks of sand dunes, creating a unique and breathtaking landscape.

The sands of Brittas Bay are fine, white and powdery, stretching over three miles down the eastern coast. It’s a tranquil beach, and when the sun is out you can have a great day sunbathing and swimming alone. You can soak up the sun while your kids play in the sea, relishing in the clean, peaceful surroundings of the beach. Don’t worry; lifeguards are on duty throughout the warmer months when people will be bathing! Likewise, taking a relaxing stroll down the length of the bay is a great addition to your day trip.

The landscape of the beach is defined by the sand dunes. They cover a total of 250 acres, and the intricate system of dunes produces some spectacular scenery, along with occasional grassland areas and ferns. The sand dunes are a proposed Special Area of Conservation, thanks to the rare plant and animal species that reside there. This makes the dunes fantastic to explore, for both walkers and nature fanatics alike.

There is also a surf school at Brittas Bay, which offers an exhilarating introduction to the art of surfing which is suitable for kids. The instructors are all qualified to teach surfing, and also hold lifeguard qualifications and certificates in Child Protection. Safety is the prime concern, and everybody receives an extensive briefing before hitting the water. Equipment is provided, and kids get to have fun out on the water – leaving parents free to lounge on the beach.

It takes less than an hour to drive out to Brittas Bay from Kippure Estate, so it can be comfortably completed as a day trip. There’s a public car park, and our staff can give you driving directions. It’s located to the south of Wicklow, near Ballinacarrig.

Still looking for more ideas? The last article in the series introduces Wicklow’s Historic Gaol, a unique day trip close to KippureEstate! 

The Magic of Avondale House & Forest Park

Well-signposted walks, over 500 acres...

Explore Dense Woodland and Themed Walks

Avondale House and Forest Park offers something for all the family, with a children’s playground, walking trails through the dense woodland and plenty of spots for picnics. This is a great option for a day trip out from Kippure Estate, loved for both its natural surroundings and as the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of the greatest political leaders in Irish history. Whether you’re interested in the historical house or the stunning wilderness, there’s plenty to keep you busy on your visit to Avondale.

The house was built in the late 18^th century, nestled in a 500 acre estate stuffed with a diverse collection of trees and shrubbery. The estate stretches down the banks of the Avonmore River, and was originally built for Samuel Hayes – one of the forefathers of Irish forestry. After his death, it was transferred to the Parnell family and Charles Stewart Parnell was born there. He went on to become the president of the Irish National Land League and the leading proponent of land reform. His commemorative museum is situated in the house itself, and the outlaying grounds are a natural exhibit of the history of Irish forestry.

With such extensive grounds, there are plenty of options for scenic walks. You can traverse the Cairn Walk, the Exotic Tree Trail, the Centenery Trail, the Pine Tree Trail and the Slí na Sliante (in English, the “Path to Heath”). There’s also the Railway Walk, a trip from Rathdrum Railway station which curves through the forest and to Avondale. These are all well-signposted so you won’t end up lost somewhere in the 500-acre grounds!

In Avondale there are a multitude of woodland animals, from hedgehogs and foxes through to red squirrels, badgers and rabbits. It’s also home to over 90 different species of bird, providing ample opportunities for the wildlife-lover. There are also options for the kids, including a playground, a deer pen and tons of spots for scenic family picnics. Plus, there is also a small bookshop and a cafe where you can relax after a day on the grounds.

Avondale House and Forest Park is a 45 minute drive from Kippure Estate, located one and a half miles south of Rathdrum. You can get there from the N11; just take Junction 17 to Rathdrum. It’s open from Easter to the end of October.

If you’re still looking for a day trip during yourstay at Kippure, the next article in the series introduces the sandy shores of Brittas Bay! 

Wedding Boot Camp Part 2

Tips on Looking Your Best and Healthiest on Your Wedding Day

In Part 1 of Kippure Estate’s Wedding Boot Camp blog post, we talked about how you can make positive changes to feel healthy, relaxed and beautiful for your special day. If you only have a month or so to go and haven’t yet started a health and beauty regime, don’t fret! Even making one or two changes, such as cutting out late nights, reducing alcohol or caffeine intake and going for a daily walk can still make all the difference in the world. As you’ll begin to realize, efforts to reduce your stress will make you look and feel even more stunning.

Let’s continue the countdown of weekly tips for looking and feeling your best for your wedding day!

5 Weeks to Go

If possible, go away for an overnight or weekend retreat that promises relaxation, activities you will enjoy, and most importantly an escape from wedding preparations. This retreat should still enable you to maintain the healthy diet, fitness and wellness practices you have been adopting for the past five weeks. If going away is not in the cards, you can always take an afternoon to go to a place in your town that you have always wanted to visit.

4 Weeks to Go

Organize a therapeutic skin treatment, which will make you feel ultimately rejuvenated. This might be a seaweed wrap at a spa, a visit to a natural spring or purchasing a body mask that you can apply in your own bathroom.

3 Weeks to Go

Have a dress rehearsal for your wedding day, with makeup, hair and all of the finishing touches. You could even arrange for your hairstylist/make-up artist to come to your home and make a fun night of it with friends. You should also plan a last fitting for your wedding dress so that any needed adjustments can be made.

2 Weeks to Go

While some people love getting their photographs taken, many do not. If you are dreading posing for all of those wedding shots, host a fun dry run with your fiancée and one of your camera-happy friends. You do not need to get all dressed up. Just visit the sites you plan on having your photos done and exit your comfort zone with some hilarious (or serious) lovey-dovey poses.

The Week before the Wedding

Although you will probably be doing a lot of running around, make sure you take a little time each day for YOU. This might be a gentle nature walk, a massage, a bath with candles, a manicure or curling up with a book. Taking the time to relax each day will make you look calm and radiant on your wedding day.

At Kippure Estate, we’re all about promoting a healthy lifestyle. Come stay with us during your ten-week wedding boot camp, for a relaxing retreat, some fun outdoor activities and satisfyingly nutritious meals! And if you are still looking for a wedding venue, we would love to hostyour big day!