I’d like to introduce our PIFPAL (Pay It Forward Pal), Ian Cribbes, Director at IMC&T Ltd. Ian’s passion is to help 
team members develop and grow and see them succeed. His claim to fame is getting a multi-billion project back on track to the client’s satisfaction.
You can find out more about Ian via his LinkedIn Profile.
Which of the 16 Team DyNAmics© Elements does your post support?: TRUST
How Will It Help Others?: By getting to know each other in an informal way, helps to build understanding on how each of us ticks, what our interests and passions are outside of work. It is my experience that this activity builds trust and understanding within the team which helps when the going gets rough, which can be quite often in major projects.
How long will it take?: 40 minutes per week
Resources required: Food
What to do: On a pre-nominated day of each week the team gather for an informal breakfast with each member of the team taking turns to supply the food, bearing in mind any special dietary requirements of team members – nothing elaborate, ideally finger food. The gathering is AWAY from the office space (ideally) and no mobiles phones and no business talk allowed. It takes place at the start of the day before team members have had the chance to get involved in the days’ work. The prime purpose is to get to know each other, what our plans are for the weekend, how the family is, what holidays are booked etc.
In addition to the above the team would break for a combined lunch, about every 6 weeks or so, with each member buying their own but all sitting together. We did this in a food hall in a large shopping centre close to the office. On this occasion, the only mobile allowed was that of the Project Manager (Team Manager) who could deal with any emergencies should they arise. Again, the purpose was to relax together and enjoy each other’s company.
On one major project where I was the Programme Manager I would invite the team and their spouse / partner to my home where I would put on a BBQ for all. This took place twice a year, summer and winter (we lived in a hot climate at the time!).
Sometimes the simplest of things can make the biggest differences. Building trust doesn’t happen overnight and relies a lot on people opening up about themselves personally.
Many thanks to Ian for Paying It Forward.
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Would You Like Help Others And Feature In Pay It Forward?
If you have some effective learning that would help either individuals or a team and want to be featured in the Pay It Forward Initiative, I’d love to hear from you. The only criteria are (1) the learning is effective, (2) it takes no longer than an hour to undertake, (3) you don’t need too many resources, (4) you are able to share it freely.
If you do, please email me via or give me a call on 00447966306903 or use the Contact Form
Wishing you continued happiness and success in both work and life.
Yours behaviourally, Nick
