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SHORT TERM FOLLOW UP ....

It’s now been some time since your journey to Antarctica and “winter-over” stay there.

As you may remember, those who join the winter-over team not only study Antarctic conditions, but are themselves subject to study because they are living in ICE (Isolated and Confined Environments). Many interesting things have been learnt about group dynamics and behaviours from such studies, and our own Antarctic experiment revealed some fascinating findings.

When you and your team were asked to set up camp in Antarctica, and to consider the effects of global warming on breakaway icebergs, the real discoveries were from the fascinating teamwork parallels. The results were an important reminder of the need for effective team functioning through encouraging team unity:

1) Just as breakaway icebergs are a problem for the earth’s survival, the strength and cooperation of the group must be considered so that individuals are not isolated and the whole team effectiveness is not threatened.

2) Antarctica is a living and breathing continent in a constant state of motion, so some meltdown and reformation is normal. For teams, this natural meltdown and reformation process will need to be monitored carefully so individuals are not left isolated.

3) Global warming is increasing the polar ice melts, but often the effects of “meltdown” are only felt in distant places – such as the Atlantic Ocean. People who are suffering from “meltdown” may not show signs of it at work, but it is likely to be having a strong effect on their personal life.

4) The “bottom waters” of Antarctica are a rich source of nourishment for the rest of the world’s oceans, but these “bottom waters” are under threat due to short sightedness and bad management. Good teams can permeate and positively influence the rest of the company if managed well.

Those who survive the intense ICE period benefit greatly. They get better at sharing their feelings and acting without a framework of rules, and most describe the experience as one of the best in their lives.

Have you learnt from your Antarctic experience?
What have you applied from your experience?

4 out of 10 people in the workplace are not able to cooperate effectively, and meltdown in terms of lost days due to stress costs companies millions of dollars each year. Team improvement must become a focus.

Through the Needs Analysis, several people in the group identified the need for effective transferral of the team building experiences back into the workplace. We hope that you have been inspired and motivated enough to reflect on how you can act on what you learnt that day. Please check the date you set to review your personal reflections and set some goals. If you haven’t taken the time to complete this exercise, please do it now to ensure there is on-going follow through.

Take 5 mins right now to ask yourself these questions from some of the activities:

ICE BREAKERS
Understanding the importance of teams and team identity (Toaster)

Do you identify as part of the company/department team?
What is your own attitude to the team?

ESTABLISHING ICE STATIONS
Effective team learning (Group Skiing, Setting Boundaries, Building Tents)

Has your communication been clearer since the exercise?
How have you been able to demonstrate trust for your team members?
Have you learnt how to combine team skills and roles?
Are you clear and confident about your own roles?

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION
Team growth (Maps)

Have you checked “maps” are aligned before rushing in to deal with an issue?
What have you done to ensure that you are openly sharing information with others on your team?

OPERATION ICEBERG
Strategies for inclusive group development (Labels)

What steps have you taken in the past week to ensure that you have encouraged the team to be inclusive?
Can you now identify people (including yourself!) that may be suffering from symptoms of “meltdown”?
Find one person that may be in danger of “meltdown” and do something special for them.

Discuss these questions with your work group to remind each other of the shared learning experiences you’ve had and encourage each other to continue to move forward together!

The Antarctica experience was indeed just the “Tip of the ICEberg”. There is still so much to learn.

Please feel free to email us to let us know how you have been going with the implementation process and to share any successes or frustrations you may have experienced. We would look forward to your feedback and would be happy to assist where requested. To find out more about how TIRIAN can improve organisational development for you and your company visit www.tirian.com

Regards

Andrew Grant and team

TIRIAN - Developing people and processes to improve organisational effectiveness.