Building A Successful Team

SPORTS

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Jonny Parr is the founder and CEO of Absolute Health and Fitness. For more information on personal training options call 3385-2696 or visit www.absolutehealthandfitness.org.

How we work together determines the success or failure of our endeavours across all aspects of life – sports-related or otherwise. We give you a few tips of advice from the pros at Absolute Health and Fitness (AHF) on how to maximize your group potential.

By Jonny Parr

How we interact with one another and

the cohesiveness of those interactions

determines our success or failure as a team

There is no ‘I’ in team’ is a popular phrase used across various avenues. Whether this is associated with matters such as business,

fitness or sport, it’s generally accepted that a successful team reaps better results across the board. This may be in regard to social relations, health and fitness status, or even financial gain for all those concerned.

This is particularly true here in Qatar where a number of companies are looking for methods to improve and optimize staff productivity, stress management, health, fitness and general wellness. A popular solution for this lies with team-building-focused initiatives.

How Do We Tackle Team-Building? At AHF, we use a series of interventions that support the aims and goals of the organizations we work with. Team-building primarily focuses on four main areas: 1. Goal-setting 2. Problem-solving 3. Relationship management 4. Role clarification

Given the history of AHF and the genre of services we deliver, we generally deliver team building interventions focused predominately around health/nutritional topics, fitness activities and specifically-selected games. A few great examples include: 1. Sit-down volleyball (hilarious!) 2. Minefield 3. Orienteering

The Benefits Are Countless The results of team-building are scientifically proven in every way imaginable. We’ve regularly been informed of improved togetherness and the ability of individuals to process information in a more effective manner. This of course leads to improved performance in work and personal fields.

What’s more, participants have often reported to us a higher appreciation of their self-worth both from

a social and working perspective. It’s important to understand that we’re all unique, complex individuals who need to be challenged on a number of various fronts in order to develop. Importantly, this leads to feelings ofachievement, which we tend to seek in all areas of our lives. This is a somewhat natural instinct that has engrossed our lives from as early as childhood. Effective team-building programs can clearly highlight and individual’s roles and their importance to the companies they work with.

Another significant advantage of our program is the education we administer with regard to fitness and health. In most cases, we like to dispense active solutions for employees. This may simply involve them moving in designated areas or, as I previously mentioned, playing activities such as sit-down volleyball or even sit-down yoga. Generally the activities aren’t overly competitive and don’t’ over-exert, but offer various fitness and health benefits such as improved posture and joint health. By far the most advantageous component of these types of activities is fun, which will further knock down social walls and encourages employees to work together.

Next Steps It’s way too common to become stagnated in our careers and there’s no denying an effective team-building program can positively affect individuals by offering renewed motivation, confidence, improved health/fitness, and togetherness.

Working as a team has proved one of the most important factors in determining the success of companies and individuals. If this can be achieved, everyone is a winner – improved health, fitness, productivity, performance and above all, happiness. This is something we should all aim for and be proud in doing so. Why not start today? n

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