Giving blood? Can build trust and teamwork??

I posted this picture of one of my clients this week. He has decided to build teamwork within his business by donating blood as a group.

The Red Cross make this easy, with RED25, a site specifically set up for organisations. You can keep a tally of how many donations your organisation has made, and compare those to other organisations. The Red Cross will pick you up in a bus, and give you an array of treats afterwards.

But how does this contribute to better teamwork?

Giving blood is a confronting thing for many. The act of going together, and being vulnerable together, builds trust. And trust, as we have talked about before – is the fundamental component of an effective team. Vulnerability is key here; the willingness to show a more real, authentic, honest side of yourself.

There are flow on effects of course, in that you’re together in the car or bus on the way there and back, so you’re chatting with people that you might not otherwise chat with. You have a shared experience, and something which is a bit out of the norm. And you have a shared purpose in that each donation can save up to three lives. It’s a great use of a couple of hours out of the office every six months.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Building trust doesn’t have to involve needles of course. But anything where you are collectively doing something that shows your real side and that builds vulnerability, is great. It doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated, or expensive. Ask your team what they want to do, you might be surprised with some of the suggestions.

WANT MORE?

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