10 1/2 Team Building Options for the Board

Like any other team, the credit union board of directors must make intentional efforts to develop and work well together. Too many boards ignore this outright or give it lip service. We can be creative in approaches to work better as a group and as individuals.

By Kevin Smith

It’s a given that organizations, corporate or nonprofit or other, should take steps towards developing its teams from groups of disparate individuals to partners who trust each other, support each other and work interdependently. However (comma) I rarely see it happening among boards. That should change. If you’ve seen me speak or read many of the TEAM Resources blog posts, this will be familiar turf. My stock line is, “we (as boards) get together for 1 ½ to 2 hours a month, and expect to perform like the Navy Seals. It ain’t gonna happen.” So, this month we’re going to talk about practical options and examples that you will enjoy. And this list is going to fall short. Some of you are going to have great ideas that I’m missing. We need to hear them! Share please. We’re credit union people. It’s what we do.

Of course, I can’t help but share with you here my favorite team building picture as a cautionary tale of what NOT to do. Please. No public shaming as team building. :-)

What Counts as Team Building

When I harp on this topic, sometimes boards tell me how they have dinner together after board meetings, go to golf outings together, or go to conferences as a group and spend time together in the evenings. These things certainly have value in helping individuals to get to know each other better, and that’s not a bad thing. But it falls short of development. Team building is best when it’s the full group and there is intentional activity meant to help people to function better together.

Now we’ve all seen funny (or horrifying) stories about team building gone wrong, with trust falls, ropes courses, etc. I’ve been through a few cringe-worthy sessions myself. Not all of the options fit all of the people. It’s probably apparent that scavenger hunts and building towers out of straw, tape and string are not my things. But some people love them. My preference is for activities that tie into our work as a board and our individual styles to make them gel.

An Incomplete List of Options

Personality/Working Style Assessments

The Workplace Big Five is my favorite of these. (I’m certified to present this. That’s your only sales pitch.) Disc is a favorite of many that I know. I have a total bias against Myers-Briggs based on the (lack of) science behind it.

[A board I was working with had a total breakthrough with the Big Five as we talked about their group having one “challenger,” with the rest going with the flow. They were pretty happy that they had her as the pushback, but she spoke up about the weight that she felt being the only one to do it. They found a way to let her off the hook at times. Changed the whole board dynamic!]

Field Trips

I did know ONE board who did great, intentional team development. They took field trips to civil war battlefields. They spent some time with tours and lessons and then did a leadership debrief. Fabulous!

Volunteer Work

This option is certainly valuable to the community and feels good. But to make sure that it fits the bill of team development, make sure that it has a leadership debrief element.

Hunt for Local “Outstanding” Organizations

This is great when it’s withing your community. Take the time to understand the organization, and examine what makes it great. Discuss how the leadership got them there and what you can take back to the credit union. (This is similar to Simon Sinek’s version of a worthy rival.) The debrief is essential.

Corporate Tours

Breweries and distilleries are always a hit. Also consider candy makers, or bakeries, or companies that do something very interesting. Look for their purpose, core values (or lack thereof) and discuss how those play out in their work.

Review of Regional Award Winners

When local companies or groups show up on a “best” list, pick some to analyze and share the lessons. (The fun flip side to this is to do a post-mortem of a corporate failure.)

Tours in D.C.

Of course, the board should be going to GAC in D.C. I know it’s a busy week, but consider taking a tour together as a board and unravelling what you learn. (I highly recommend the spy museum)

Yes. I can count. No. There aren’t 10 ½. I am counting on you fine readers to add to this so we have more than 10. (See what I did there? *counting*)

Do something creative.

          Do something interesting.

                    Do something intentional.

                              Do something.