25 individuals from GE Healthcare came together at the GE Training Center to have some fun and do an exercise in teambuilding that resulted in four brand new bikes being built and donated to children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. The larger group was divided into four teams that had a lot of fun and laughter completed tasks and solving problems that eventually led to the bicycles being built. This Build-A-Bike team building event was a great way to have fun, enable some learning in a creative way, and to see one another in a little different light than the usual work experience. At times the laughter was explosive and this valuable team was great at enjoying one another.

We all have responsibilities to handle in our jobs everyday. We go about our work and leading and working with team members becomes a routine task we often take for granted. In doing so, we have become slaves of the routine and tend to complete responsibilities and tasks in the same manner over and over. Even if the problems or situations change, our approach remains the same. The hurdles we had to jump for one situation become much like the hurdles in our present situation, so we handle them the same way. We may get frustrated, annoyed, even angry with the circumstances or team members, but unless we make an intentional change we will continue the cycle.

Often times a simple change of perspective can help a leader or team find a better way to approach responsibilities. Try not being critical and complaining about the situation, but rather try to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to express their perspective. By including all the team members and allowing others to voice their opinions freely and without criticism you are able to see a bigger picture and probably a better solution.

A simple team building event like the Build-A-Bike can help teams and leaders over come routines and experience how to make a positive difference in the work place.