Team Building Blog

I am quite certain that coworkers rarely utter the following words: "I don't like that person, she listens too much."

One of the most common complaints that people have about others is that they are ineffective listeners. How do you feel when others:

-Read their e-mail while you are speaking with them?

-Continually interrupt while you are talking?

-Jump ahead without hearing the full information?

-Demonstrate lack of concern through body language such, as looking away or rolling their eyes?

The most effective communicators recognize that a good part of their success is earned as a result of how well they listen. They have discovered the more they listen the more engaged others become in conversations and problem solving sessions. This, in turn, creates an environment in which communication flows and trust is developed.

However, trust from another person must be earned. Therefore, high levels of trust are determined not only by what you say, but also how well you listen to what others say. And listening is much more than hearing. While being hearing impaired is a physical condition, being listening impaired is self-imposed . Effective listening is a choice that requires attention, interpretation, and response to the other individual. All of these behaviors require effort. It is not surprising the Chinese symbol for listening is made up of three symbols: head, ear and heart.

Tips for Learning to Listen:

-Recognize your role as a listener - If you are too busy to listen attentively, choose another time for the conversation.

-Select an environment conducive to listening - Find a place with minimal distractions to increase listening effectiveness.

-Probe for understanding - Ask questions to ensure comprehension and convey interest.

-Paraphrase key statements and overall themes - This tactic builds alignment in thinking and ensures understanding.

-Demonstrate a comprehensive approach in your listening style - Learn to focus on big-picture themes, tune into specific facts and instructions, and empathize with the feelings of others.

Now hear this! Effective listening is a skill. Any individual that is truly committed to becoming an effective listener can develop listening skills. If you demonstrate strong listening skills, you might hear the people around you saying, "I really like that person. They're truly a great listener."

Imagine your team racing through the streets of New Orleans, wandering Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, searching for clues in the Museum of Natural History in New York City or exploring the Adventure Aquarium near Philadelphia, PA.

You don’t have to imagine any longer. Teambuilding, Inc. treasure hunts require serious brain power…and a serious sense of fun! Teambuilding, Inc. has been conducting treasure hunts for more than 22 years and we’re ready to share our extensive treasure hunt experience with your team.

Many team building activities are designed for small groups of 10-12 participants. Our treasure hunts are a blast for groups of all sizes.

Throughout your experience, you’ll solve puzzles that will help you navigate to your next clue. We probably already have a team building treasure hunt course at your zoo, aquarium, science center, museum or in your city. If you want to experience the next generation of treasure hunts, check out GeoQuest: The High-Tech Treasure Hunt. This outdoor hunt offers teams the opportunity to use hand-held GPS units to navigate from clue to clue. GeoQuest is powered by billions of dollars of technology…but it’s your own brain power that makes the difference.

Join us for an outdoor ZooQuest treasure hunt in the San Diego Zoo, an outdoor GeoQuest at the Arboretum in Dallas, historic Old City Philadelphia, Boston or in the eclectic South Beach just to name a few. We also have indoor ClueQuest treasure hunts at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Orlando Science Center in Orlando, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington DC and at many other locations across the US. Participants regular say comments such as, “I’ve lived in the Chicago area for my entire life, and I discovered things about the city that I have never known before.”

After your team building treasure hunt, our skilled facilitators will conduct a debrief that is second to none. With more combined experience than any other team building company in the United States, we can link the treasure hunt to real world team dynamics and business issues.

We know how to create clues. Do you think your team can solve them?