Blind(folded) trust ?

At a recent workshop in a hotel, a large corporate group next door was organizing a seminar. At the end of the seminar, there was a trust building exercise where participants were blindfolded and, using only the verbal instructions from their team members, were to finish an obstacle course. This was to symbolize how we should trust our team members to achieve the goals. Great fun of course and hearing from the excited shouting and laughter, the levels of trust were skyrocketing !

So then what happens the next day in the office ? Of course, participants will be sharing/posting/liking loads of pictures about the great seminar. But I mean, what will happen about trust ? Will people talk about the learnings from the trust building exercise, or more about the choice at the buffet ? Will they refer to the lessons from the blindfold exercise next time there is a conflict between departments ? Will they look back at the pictures when contradictory department goals lead to tensions ? Will there be even the slightest learning about trust that will help to move the team to the next level of performance ? You know the answer.

You don't need obstacle courses or blindfolds to build trust. Or a hotel and a trainer. In fact, creating these completely artificial circumstances are pretty much a guarantee that the link with the work situation is non-existing. Trust is created when people dialogue with each other. One on one or in small groups or in larger groups. At work. Asking questions, really listening to what others bring into the conversation, building on ideas and working on a project within a team. Addressing issues when they arise. It takes a bit of time, yet it is simple. We really make it complicated by pretending an out-of-work play will have any impact.

It's great to have fun once in a while. But if you count on blindfolds to develop trust in your team, you'll be tripping and falling flat on your face !