It’s one thing trying to get along with the extraordinarily diverse characters that the work environment throws at you, and another to find yourself standing on a single plank of wood suspended between two trees in a forest with them! However, corporate training courses have become the norm in the 21st century – like ‘em or loathe ‘em.
Now it appears you may be asked to take part in a Military Training course which will encourage leadership, communication skills, motivation, personal discipline and team work. And you thought you wanted to earn a paltry sum by day, and party by night?
The “Military” approach to corporate training can include anything from a “Three peaks challenge” to a three hour command task. The events are built around the needs of individual companies. They can just be for fun, or then can be more edgy, pushing peoples’ buttons to see how they cope under pressure. Sounds a bit like torture to me. Anyway, military skills are apparently directly transferable into the office environment and they encourage workers to realise their full potential while having “fun”. The much bruited intent of the course is to leave each individual ready to “go out there and fight for your business, with new hearts and minds, ready to forge a successful future”!
Office workers are placed in situations well outside their usual daily grind. This is a kind of “equaliser” from which unexpected team leaders may emerge. The teams will learn to trust and understand each other’s real capabilities and human qualities. I’m sure it works and many friendships are forged, however, I feel sorry for the Tea Trolley person.