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The Corporate Team Building 'Away Day' Poem

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Originally published: 12th June 2022

"An entire industry has sprung up around the made-up and juvenile idea of forcible team-building, all to prevent leaders from having to look in the mirror and take responsibility for the culture and communication on their teams." (Liz Ryan / Forbes)

if you want us to hit all those targets each day spare us your 'blue skies' and group hugs and play. if you think we should listen and fall into line quit stealing our watches to tell us the time. if you see us nod silently during your 'show' know we'll forget what's been said when you go. if you make it appear we've devised your new rules we'll simply remember you took us for fools. look, if you want us to work in the ways that you've said just add a quick 'please' and a 'thank you' instead.

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Mark Toney

Date: 2/8/2025 12:18:00 PM

Gary, I appreciate your support for my Flash Poetry Challenge (9). This was a nice take on the Challenge theme, "For the Birds." I certainly don't miss falling backward, hoping someone catches me!

Gary Radice
Date: 2/8/2025 12:30:00 PM

Those ‘trust’ exercises annoyed me too Mark. :) Thanks for running the flash challenges - a refreshing change. Cheers - Gary

thriveni c mysore

Date: 1/31/2025 2:27:00 AM

I have less knowledge of the background of the poem dear poet. You weave your words so beautifully that even words of caution feel like decorated badges. There is a saying in my native that translates to ' The cowards make the rules so the fearless can follow'.. hmm, it is a delight to read you dear poet. Cheers.

Gary Radice
Date: 2/1/2025 5:21:00 AM

Thank you Thriveni. I love that saying too. So wise. It’s a delight for me to read your comments here. :) Cheers - Gary

Dan Prizner

Date: 6/23/2024 10:17:00 PM

Thanks Gary I have been retired for quit awhile but I remember those "days" you captured them Well Done

Gary Radice
Date: 6/24/2024 3:53:00 AM

I still have nightmares about them Dan. :) Thanks for stopping by. Cheers - Gary

Peter Rees

Date: 1/16/2023 5:11:00 AM

This says it all Gary. I’m sure you speak from experience. “stealing our watches to tell us the time” yes indeed and usually at exorbitant cost. Well done.

Gary Radice
Date: 1/17/2023 2:58:00 AM

Thank you Peter! These sort of corporate 'Away Days' were a real bug bear of mine. I detested them. I never learnt much from them at all. I used to watch all the people silently nodding as the speaker spoke - as if they agreed with all that was said. I bet many weren't even listening...or maybe they were and it was just me that wasn't? :) Whatever..horrid things 'Away Days' (My thoughts only) :) Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier

Date: 10/26/2022 7:28:00 AM

Yes, been there ~ happy to be retired. Well penned, Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 10/26/2022 8:59:00 AM

Me too - on both counts Line. :) Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Gail Debole

Date: 9/29/2022 5:37:00 PM

Gary, A strong poem about a weak idea. The results of those "activities" are fleeting because they don't deal with real situations. Your solution at the end of the poem is simple and decent. - Gail

Gary Radice
Date: 9/30/2022 12:36:00 PM

Agreed Gail. I once asked my colleagues at work the day after we had all attended a team building day what they remembered from the group sessions. They hadn't remembered much at all and almost 100% detested the role play that - and you're correct - had no basis in reality at all. A cup of coffee and a chat with the group would have saved so much money. Cheers - Gary

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/26/2022 7:15:00 AM

Ahh!! I especially like the last two lines. Thank you for sharing and for visiting my blog. Sara

Gary Radice
Date: 8/27/2022 1:19:00 AM

..And thank you for visiting my poem Sara. Hope and pray all goes well with your son. Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 8/23/2022 6:14:00 AM

I love this Gary! I don't need someone telling me how to build and sustain rapport with colleagues! After dozens of team-building efforts, it really comes down to getting the job done.

Gary Radice
Date: 8/23/2022 7:45:00 AM

Agreed Linda. Thing is, I'm convinced some bosses believe these sort of things are a rites of passage for all employees without actually giving it much thought. They could save ££$$ if they wanted to. My thoughts only. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Cheers - Gary

Bill Baker

Date: 7/5/2022 3:10:00 PM

Exactly, Gary. You nailed it! Wisdom in your words, the kind of leader I'd follow. Have a great week my friend! Bill

Gary Radice
Date: 7/5/2022 3:13:00 PM

Bill, thank you. Banning Corporate team building days would save loads of ca$h too. Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood

Date: 7/5/2022 2:51:00 PM

I’ve worked in numerous offices, Gary, and your words ring so true. My view was always ‘beware the new broom’. They always sweep… but rarely clean. Terry

Gary Radice
Date: 7/5/2022 3:10:00 PM

Wise words Terry. Cheers - Gary

John Watt

Date: 6/24/2022 9:27:00 AM

One problem I have seen over and over is that the ambitious people always get routed to management positions on their way up the corporate ladder, whether or not they have any management skills (or people skills, for that matter) so they rely on these invented programs to develop an esprit de corps that they are incapable of producing. And the problem with those programs is the cookie-cutter approach to making everyone a homogenized, one-size-fits-all person. I love the line about stealing your watch to tell you the time. Great write, always enjoy reading you! ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 6/25/2022 2:06:00 AM

Hi John. Thank you for your brilliant words. I couldn't agree more about the type of people you speak of. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary

P.M. Richter

Date: 6/19/2022 8:27:00 PM

Well said !!!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/20/2022 9:39:00 AM

Thanks P.M. Appreciated. Cheers - Gary

David Smith

Date: 6/18/2022 3:45:00 AM

The simplest and most polite messages are not always heeded unfortunately. But we need to start there just in case. Well penned. Someone will have listened somewhere and acted on the advice, so well worth the writing. Cheers David in NZ

Gary Radice
Date: 6/18/2022 5:47:00 AM

Thank you David..and yes..hopefully.. Cheers - Gary

Timothy Ray

Date: 6/17/2022 10:58:00 AM

absolutely a delightful romp, and excellent execution

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2022 12:45:00 PM

Thank you Timothy. I appreciate your valued comments. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman

Date: 6/17/2022 10:45:00 AM

Every time I see your name on a winners list Gary, I know I am in for moments of sheet delight! Congratulations on your win. I especially like the second stanza and the intent of the third stanza! Congratulations and cheers! Here's to valuing each worker - each person. I raise my glass to you!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2022 12:40:00 PM

Thank you Sam! Every now and again when I haven't a clue where the next idea is coming from for a poem I look back over some of my old poems that I've deleted, choose one and completely rewrite / rework / edit / it and (hopefully) take it somewhere else. These 10 lines are based upon a poem I deleted last year. This effort bears no resemblance at all to the original other than its theme. It's always that little bit nicer when these 'hybrid / reworked' poems manage to get a placing in the contests. Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 6/16/2022 9:58:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. What a "Wonderful" write. Love it. Today, there is no more please and thank you. They do not know how to run a business. The ones at the top think they know it all and they do not. Have a blessed day writing away....................

Gary Radice
Date: 6/16/2022 11:22:00 PM

Thanks Paula. I appreciate your visit and comments. I've come across some good bosses in my time but some who lacked social skills and who were so caught up in the culture of targets to care Cheers - Gary

Susan Lawrence

Date: 6/15/2022 6:52:00 PM

Short and poignant ! Full of power Gary. A lot said here in a few words . It packs a punch ! Susan :)

Gary Radice
Date: 6/15/2022 9:44:00 PM

Thank you Susan. I don't usually rant in poems but I admit that team building days would be the first thing I'd ban if I was in power. My thoughts only. :) Cheers - Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 6/12/2022 11:16:00 PM

Loved this, great take on the business world!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/13/2022 1:06:00 AM

Thank you Arthur. I remember asking three of my colleagues - the day after a department had spent ££££s on having someone flown in to take charge of one of these days - what they had actually enjoyed and taken away with them from the day. Two said that they already knew what she had told us anyway. The other guy said he'd loved every minute of it..as it had been a day off work! :) Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins

Date: 6/12/2022 6:35:00 PM

Ah, there was a time when I worked in the corporate world (a long time ago) but I felt precisely this way. Which is probably why I didn't last very long in the job. Good writing, as usual, Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/12/2022 9:41:00 PM

Thanks Milt. I've never loved team building days preferring to sit around a table with a cup of coffee and talk with people rather than talk to people. I used to think what a complete waste of money .- My thoughts only of course as there will be many people out there who swear by them. Thanks as always for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/12/2022 3:32:00 PM

Good advice for all bosses Gary, I don't miss those group hugs and pointless team building exercises. Good luck in the contest Tom

Gary Radice
Date: 6/12/2022 3:36:00 PM

Thanks Tom. The NHS was awash with the Away Days /Team Building Days etc. complete with nodding heads on auto in the audience. My stint working for NatWest exposed me to a fair share of them too. Cheers - Gary