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For our Team Builders Podcast, Team Challenge Company directors Jonathan Hazley, Stephen Hazley and Gerry Crowley speak with the exceptional Leanne Maiden – a mother of two who rowed solo across the Atlantic in the world’s toughest race.
In the epic interview Leanne Maiden discusses the challenges she faced, and the mindset needed to get across 3,000 miles of ocean by herself. Here, we digest some of her key takeaways. You can listen to the full interview on our dedicated podcast.
I was at sea for 66 days and five hours, and averaging around 30 to 40 miles a day.
During the first week I had quite a bad knockdown at night when my boat capsized. It went right the way over and then came right back again.
It absolutely spooked me, and after that, I just couldn't row at night and had to row really long hours during the day. It probably wasn’t the most efficient, but it became my routine.
Ultimately, though, it's the thing you fear the most that you inevitably have to face.
Towards the end of the race, I had to do a lot more night-time rowing because I was in a position where I was having to get to a certain point before the next weather system came in. And the nights that I had to do night rowing, it was overcast, it was raining, it was a new moon. You literally could not see anything. You can't orientate yourself against it. The stars or anything like that. The nights that I did end up having to row, it was in the pitch black.
Now that I sit here on dry land and in hindsight of the whole adventure, it was hand on heart the best thing that I've ever done.
There are a lot of challenges that are out of your control. I've definitely learned that you can worry about the weather and the currents and the everything else, but all the worrying in the world is never going to change that so sometimes you've just got to really appreciate the good times and know that they too will pass as much as the bad times.
Sometimes you’ve just got to dig deep and know you'll get there in the end. Every obstacle is an opportunity.
Was it Gary Player that said the more you practice, the luckier you get? You have to show up for your own destiny.
I'm definitely going to be a lot more present in my business and more vocal about what I want and how I see my business running.
I found little things on the boat which made feel like I’d won the lottery.
That moment when I found the clean towel, the extra tin of peaches and the jar of Nutella I’d hidden on the boat really made me appreciate the small things.
I wish I'd set out more positively because I would have been on a far better foot, but I wouldn’t have learned the lessons that I've learned had I done that.
All I knew was that one of two things was going to happen. I was either going to finish or I was going to die at sea.
However, once I'd set off and we'd gone over the start line, I knew that I was getting to the other side.
You put in what you get out and nothing happens by accident.
Listen to the episode with Leanne Maiden on our dedicated podcast channel.
If you want to inspire your team with team building experiences, get in touch with us today.
Time management strategies for teams are key to creating productive work environments.
Failing to prioritise tasks, giving muddled instructions, or assigning an unachievable workload are often the biggest barriers to productivity. Doing any of these can lead to a very stressful environment for your team.
At Team Challenge Company, we have years of experience in helping organisations work more efficiently and effectively. Here, we share our insights on how to manage your team and resources in a timely and productive manner.
It may sound simple, but using a calendar or schedule to plan the week ahead ensures that tasks are clearly identified and assigned.
Mark priorities for ongoing projects, setting interim deadlines to ensure nothing gets missed, and make a daily 'To Do' list to keep track of what needs to be done by who and by when - checking the list off after each task.
Avoid setting unrealistic deadlines to give you and your team the time they need to complete actions properly. Allowing sufficient headspace to work will reduce the time spent correcting tasks further down the line.
Break down tasks into manageable sizes, get the job done and move on.
Focus on important items first before moving on to less pressing items on the agenda. Avoid making your team multi-task as it creates more opportunities for mistakes.
Plan and prepare in advance to ensure your team get everything they need before beginning a task.
Making simple changes to the day-to-day running of your team can have a big impact.
Reiterating these pointers to your staff can encourage them to review how they work and inspire them to be more organised and, in turn, more productive.
If productivity remains a sticking point in your organisation, we have an extensive catalogue of team building activities designed to boost your teams skills.
Contact our event planners on 03300 04 09 03 or use our contact form for more information.
By engaging in competitive team building activities, you provide an opportunity for your team members to challenge themselves and each other. These activities are not just about winning; they're about learning and growing together.
Is your team lacking motivation or a competitive edge? Team Challenge Company's team building experiences are a great way to boost morale among colleagues.
When harnessed effectively, a healthy sense of competition in the workplace can motivate teams to achieve their objectives and work together to overcome obstacles. This dynamic can greatly enhance productivity, motivating individuals to complete tasks efficiently and surpass their peers in meeting targets.
While it is true that certain individuals may have a stronger drive to compete, it is important not to overlook the value of competition for everyone. Team Challenge Company encourages the use of friendly competition to motivate even the most introverted team members to step out of their comfort zone.
By honing their skills and fostering a sense of competition, your team can develop a deeper understanding of the value of collaboration, resulting in enhanced communication and stronger professional bonds.
Looking to enhance your competitive edge? Consider implementing a token incentive or reward system to motivate and inspire team members to exceed expectations and showcase their abilities.
Team Challenge Company's team building days are the perfect way to reignite a sense of healthy competition in your corporate environment. We have a wide range of experiences and activities designed to push teams to discover their hidden abilities.
We craft our experiences to foster collaboration and leadership, whether it's through small number sessions for select team members or corporate fun days for the entire company.
Explore the wide range of team building experiences we offer, or get in touch with our knowledgeable event planners to find the perfect option for your team.
Continually assessing staff training needs is critical for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of any workplace.
To be successful, organisations must assess staff training needs, implementing changes to improve limitations while recognising and celebrating staff for their achievements.
More often than not, organisational weaknesses can be attributed to a gap in skills, knowledge and abilities.
Meaning the first step to addressing failings is to identify your organisation’s training needs, both current and future.
In addition to assessing the situation today, it is essential that you anticipate any changes that might be coming up (e.g. maternity leave, promotions, etc.) to allow you to plan effectively and give the right staff the right training.
Start your process at the top and work your way down. Evaluate the organisation overall to get a sense of where to focus your efforts to achieve short and long-term goals. Look at each department in turn and identify areas that are lacking in knowledge or skills that may be holding the team back from realising their full potential. Finally, you can look at your staff on an individual basis.
Once you know where the gaps are, you can give your staff the training they need. For some, this may be to ensure they move smoothly into a more senior position; for others, it is more so they can complete their role more efficiently.
Boosting morale and delivering fun and social experiences outside of the workplace are just as important as identifying weaknesses.
Team building experiences and corporate events are a great way to keep your staff engaged while rewarding them for hard work.
Whether it’s a full-blown corporate fun day or smaller sessions focused on a specific team and outcomes, you can inspire new patterns of thinking by energising staff and helping them build relationships that make a difference in the day-to-day.
For more information on our range of team building and corporate events, please contact the team via our website or by calling 03300 04 09 03.
Regardless of your job role, position in the company, or personality, there are times when every employee needs support. Whether it is just lending a helping hand on a tough project or a deeper level of support, it is the duty of every organisation to look after its employees’ wellbeing.
Of course, there are many different ways in which this can be achieved. Team building days are a great way to get the whole office working together and bonding more effectively, whereas quieter one-to-one sessions with HR personnel may work better in more sensitive situations.
The best solution is always to judge the particular scenario on an individual scale, working to make the most of what your colleagues can offer while providing as much support as possible to every single employee. After all, your employees are the backbone of your business, so it is vital to look after them and ensure they are as happy as possible during the working day.
Every employee, from the top manager to the new hire, is important to the business as a whole. That's why it's important that everyone feels supported so they can do their best.
An employee's struggles could be caused by a whole variety of circumstances. While you might not be able to help much with problems that aren't related to work, you can help with things like stress at work, fitting in, and developing relationships with coworkers.
Luckily, there are many ways you can go about providing support to the people you work alongside.
If workplace relationships are tense or a new starter is finding it difficult to fit in, team building days are sure to make the perfect fit. Team Challenge Company offers an extensive range of team building events and activities, all designed to boost communication and develop essential skills which can then be transferred directly across to the workplace. The ideal way to escape the confines of the office environment and work towards encouraging positive working relationships between colleagues, team building is an effective way to provide some much-needed support.
If you would like more information about the team building days and activities that we provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or give our friendly team a call on 03300 040903.
In a recent episode of Team Builders Podcast our founding directors discussed the concern they have heard from event planners about how best to incorporate team building activities into meetings and conferences without sacrificing other agenda items.
Here are the 5 key takeaways from the podcast episode:
Before any activities, set out clear objectives that resonate with your conference or meeting goals.
"Have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish and why - it should be specific to each team and business stage." Jonathan Hazley
Create an atmosphere that encourages participation by communicating the purpose clearly. A sensitive yet enthusiastic approach helps get everyone involved.
"If people are your most important asset, team building should be a top of the agenda items." Gerry Crowley
At Team Challenge Company, our role is to guide activities smoothly - providing feedback, stepping in when needed, and managing time and logistics.
"The majority of the people that we find ourselves working with, really want to deliver a key message and have their delegates or their guests part of the learning process for them. Not just being talked to, but being spoken with. And that's what the gamified environment brings. The great teams see that team building is not a bolt-on, it's designed." Jonathan Hazley
Insightful debriefing is an essential reflective approach in project management and team development, emphasising the value of discussing outcomes, assessing procedures, and relating to initial goals. This process involves teams examining whether and how project goals were met, the success of various techniques, and the lessons gained along the way.
This reflection not only helps to discover areas of success and places for growth, but it also promotes a culture of constant learning and development. Open feedback during these sessions is critical because it promotes transparency and honesty, allowing team members to express their ideas and opinions without fear of being judged. This openness helps to create trust, improve team relationships, and ensure that everyone's viewpoint is considered. By connecting discussions to the meeting and conference objectives and focusing on actionable insights, debriefing becomes a valuable tool for future project planning and execution, ensuring that teams are not just looking back but also forward.
Recognising efforts and putting key takeaways into action is essential. Use follow-up communication to keep the momentum going, monitor progress, and celebrate successes.
By prioritising outcomes like trust, communication, problem-solving abilities, motivation/engagement, and strategic alignment, effective team building reduces conflicts and boosts morale, agility and innovation.
At Team Challenge Company, we have more than 20 years experience in team building and our event planners can help guide you in pinpointing priorities and designing an engaging experience to create lasting cultural impact. Contact us today. You can listen back to the full episode here.
Every business aims to create the perfect team, where a blend of skills, ambition, experience, and personality drives success. For leaders, it's crucial to understand and accommodate the unique needs of each member, appreciating the power of diversity, especially the blend of introverts and extroverts. While extroverts may naturally gravitate towards team building activities, introverts can feel apprehensive, worrying about the pressure to step outside their comfort zone.
Extroverts are known for their energy and outgoing nature, particularly in social settings like team building events. In contrast, introverts excel in environments where they can think before they act, bringing thoughtful insights and deliberate strategies to the table. Recognising and leveraging the strengths of both can support your team to reach their full potential.
It's common for introverts to feel nervous about participating in a team building day. Leaders who recognise the value of every team member's contribution know that with careful planning, it's entirely possible to design experiences that everyone can look forward to. This means incorporating team building activities that allow introverts to showcase their strengths in a comfortable setting.
Creating experiences that cater to introverts as well as extroverts is essential. At Team Challenge Company, we work to create an experience where everyone feels welcome.
Our team building engagement experiences, from The Infinite Loop to CSI Space Odyssey, are designed with every personality in mind. These experiences allow those who are more introverted in nature to engage on their terms while providing extroverts with opportunities to shine.
Understanding that introverts may feel anxious about team building events, we encourage leaders to share any concerns with us. There are a myriad of ways to integrate introverts into team building without causing discomfort. By sharing your concerns with Team Challenge Company, we can tailor activities that respect individual boundaries while promoting unity and collaboration.
Contact us to create an event that recognises and celebrates the diverse strengths within your team, building a foundation for lasting success, give us a call on 03300 04 09 03.
Ready to turbocharge your leadership and revitalise your team in 2024? Let's dive into some leadership tactics for 2024, strategies that will not only inspire you but also support your team to reach their full potential!
Everyone craves recognition, and acknowledging your team's triumphs is a surefire way to fuel their passion. Remember, one size doesn't fit all. Find out how each team member likes to be supported, be it a shoutout in a meeting or a quiet thank-you. This approach isn't just nice; it's strategic, boosting motivation and job satisfaction.
Show your team that doing the right thing doesn't need an audience. Leading with integrity, even in private moments, builds a foundation of trust and respect.
Share the victories as well as the lessons learned from setbacks. Admitting mistakes and embracing them as growth opportunities showcases your commitment to honesty and continuous improvement.
Unleash the power of genuine connections by sharing your journey - the ups, downs, and everything in between. Leading with vulnerability and empathy creates an environment where your team feels safe to make mistakes and be themselves, fostering a stronger, more unified group.
Demonstrate that you value life beyond work. By setting boundaries and showing respect for personal time, you not only prevent burnout but also encourage a culture where everyone feels free to recharge and bring their best selves to work.
Show your team that no task is beneath you. Engage in the nitty-gritty of your business. This hands-on approach earns respect and keeps you connected with your team.
Take action now and kick this year off with a bang. Speak to one of our experienced team members to see what kind of activities would benefit your team for the upcoming year. Contact us now.
Operating across hundreds of organisations, we frequently work with large, diverse groups. Understanding how to tailor our delivery for different learning styles is key to unlocking your team's potential.
As we discuss in a recent episode of the Team Builders Podcast, people absorb information in a variety of ways. Primarily, there are four styles of learning:
Crucially, the onus is on us leaders to identify these differences, adapting how you connect to your individual team members to bring out the best in each person.
When facilitating a team building experience, we speak to organisers in advance to understand teams better. On the day, we look for signals hinting at who might need facts and figures or more imagery and examples before getting fully on board. Individuals may seem disengaged who perhaps simply need more incentive to participate. You can find the right catalyst to spark their interest by understanding their motivations. Simple gestures like offering refreshments or incorporating interactive elements often transform perspectives and increase participation. Alongside this, revealing the broader vision behind tasks is crucial. When people grasp how the activity aligns with the company's values and aims, they understand the importance of their contribution.
If you want to hear more, listen to our podcast episode 4 Learning Styles. Team Challenge Company is committed to crafting bespoke experiences tailored to the outcomes you want for your team. Connect with us to unlock the potential within your teams.
Team building activities have long been recognised as a vital tool for enhancing collaboration, boosting morale, and increasing productivity within organisations. However, leaders should be aware that not all team members approach these activities with the same level of enthusiasm. Some individuals may feel nervous, apprehensive, or uncertain.
In this article, we will explore how leaders can actively support their teams in overcoming common fears ahead of team building activities.
Step 1: Communicate the Purpose and Benefits
One of the fundamental steps in helping team members overcome their fears related to team building is to communicate the purpose and expected benefits of these activities. Leaders should explain the reasons behind team building and how it can significantly improve essential skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Step 2: Foster a Safe and Inclusive Environment
Creating a safe and inclusive environment for team building activities is a crucial. Leaders should ensure that team building experiences are thoughtfully designed to accommodate diverse teams and individual comfort zones. Inclusivity can be achieved by selecting activities that allow everyone to participate and not dependent on physical abilities or personality traits.
Step 3: Handpick Relevant Experiences
To maximise the impact of team building activities, leaders should carefully select experiences that align with their teams' specific objectives and challenges. When team members can directly relate the activities to the broader goals of the company, their enthusiasm and engagement levels soar.
Customisation is key. Leaders should aim to tailor team building experiences to their desired outcomes. Whether it's addressing communication issues, enhancing problem-solving abilities, or fostering a sense of unity within the team, selecting the right activities can make a substantial difference in achieving these goals.
At Team Challenge Company, we’re dedicated to assisting leaders in creating successful team building experiences that result in stronger, more cohesive teams. We understand that every organisation is unique and we work closely with leaders to design team building experiences that are tailored to their specific needs and objectives.
Our highly skilled facilitators ensure that every participant feels comfortable, engaged, and valued throughout the process. Get in touch with us today to start the journey towards stronger, more cohesive teams!
