Building Successful Work Relationships--Playing In The Same Sandbox

Remember playing in your childhood sandbox? If you enjoyed being outside for most of the day, you could play in the sandbox for hours on end-shaping and pouring the sand or mixing it with a little water to form a castle or hill. Children enjoy playing with sand or dirt and learn at an early age how to make the most of this play time activity.

Playing in a sandbox usually starts out as a solitary exercise; however, smart parents know that in order to develop their child's ability to relate to others, another child or two must be introduced into that same sandbox. This is when the fun truly begins.

When children play together in the same sandbox:

  • They learn to trust each other.
  • Their ability to be gentle, kind and considerate is developed.
  • Friendships are initiated and nurtured.
  • Positive interaction increases and selfishness decreases.
  • They find creative ways to work together, satisfying their curiosity and increasing their enjoyment and fun.

You're Never Too Old for the Sandbox

There's a tremendous amount of pressure as we grow older to learn to act our age (whatever that means). In fact, most people consider age a number not an indication of vitality, health or maturity.

Nevertheless, too many of us leave the things of childhood behind us. This is both good and bad. It is good to leave childish behavior behind, but bad when we discard many childlike behaviors that can make us successful adults.

One such childlike behavior is learning how to develop reliable relationships with others through experiences in the same sandbox that teach us how to cooperate, exchange ideas, and communicate.

When we play together in the same sandbox at work:

  • It is important to know and understand the rules and limitations of play; but when we take the time to do so, we find that it is fun to mix with others, develop positive peer relationships naturally, and to encourage a spirit of lighthearted camaraderie.
  • We learn to practice balanced self-control-the right combination of expressing our opinions and feelings when facing difficult or unexpected events. Our sensitivity to and concern for others is demonstrated as we attempt to understand their perspectives.
  • We willingly let down our guards and shift our mindsets to try new and fresh ways of doing old tasks. We bask in the energy boost that results from experimentation, creativity, innovation, and learning new skills.
  • Our communication skills are stimulated and enhanced. Bridges are built between people who were once estranged. Conflict surfaces and is resolved.

How to Have More FUN in Your Workplace Sandbox

  • Think of yourself playing with your co-workers in the same sandbox (Don't turn into a skeptic on me now).
  • Share your creative ideas for improving your team's effectiveness with the entire team; then together select one on which to experiment.
  • Make sure to include every member of your team in some part of the experiment. Develop receptiveness and tolerance of others.
  • Solicit their feedback on a regular basis and bring any challenges or obstacles to the entire team for resolution. Don't be afraid to proactively exchange differences in opinion. These are healthy if allowed to surface early. They can be destructive if allowed to fester.
  • Celebrate every accomplishment-no matter how small. Little wins recognized as they occur communicate a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, build confidence and turn an average team into a highly motivated one.
  • Play dynamically and interact enthusiastically with each other. It has been said that a burden shared is a burden halved. So, have some fun in your work together.
  • Select another experiment and begin the process all over again.
  • If you're not having fun at work while playing in the same sandbox with co-workers, you're not doing it right. Give it another try. I think you'll be pleased that you did.

    Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, strategy@work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit strategy@work

    Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
    Internet browsers are useful, but they can be dangerous. Clicking on malicious links can direct you to dangerous websites that steal information or infect your device.
    Apple's latest iOS update introduces advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, which may be capturing and analyzing sensitive information.
    Breach site confirmed 56,904,909 Hot Topic users' data leaked online. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the company's silence makes matters even worse.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how an innovative Easy-Way kit turns standard strollers electric, simplifying navigation for parents.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about T-Mobile being hacked in broad cyberattack on global phone and internet companies.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how to add, customize and manage widgets for quick access to apps and info from your iPhone home screen.
    Wrong Google searches can not only compromise your device and personal data. They can also bring law enforcement to your doorstep. Hackers are targeting Google searches.
    China's Shanghai Kepler Robotics has developed a new humanoid robot that can carry up to 35 pounds per hand for commercial applications across various industries
    Checking your hearing has gotten easier with the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2. You can take reliable hearing tests using your iPhone or iPad.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how a VPN — virtual private network — works and how running it can slow down the operation of your device.
    The WalkON Suit F1, an exoskeleton developed to help people with disabilities, can actually walk over to a person in a wheelchair, solving a major problem.
    ClickFix, a new scam targeting computer users, is on the rise in the U.S. The scam prompts its targets to click on a link to fix a problem.
    Skydweller is the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, and even months, without refueling.
    The U.S. government said it is investigating after People's Republic of China hackers targeted commercial telecommunications service providers in the U.S.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.
    You can unsend or edit your iMessages with the latest iOS updates. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how you can save yourself some potential embarrassment.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says there’s been a rise in cybercriminal services using hacked police and government emails to send subpoenas and data requests to U.S. companies.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Axiom Space and luxury designer Prada are collaborating on NASA's Artemis III spacesuit design.
    Voice assistants may cause confusion across devices. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers some solutions to fix it.
    Shameless scammers trick veterans into giving personal info or cash. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explores five common scams.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you honor our heroes with these powerful podcasts, audiobooks and documentaries this Veterans Day.

    Effective Team Building for Stronger Teams

    TEAM LEADERS WORKSHOPAlice asked Cheshire cat "which road should I... Read More

    Designing and Deploying Human Centric Processes

    A lot of effort has been carried out in the... Read More

    Team Work - A Challenge of Character

    Over the years there has been much ado about team... Read More

    Team Development in the Little Leagues

    A grassy field, two nets, a soccer ball and some... Read More

    How to Boost Morale In Your Organisation

    Who keeps the wheels turning in your organisation? Who holds... Read More

    Always In Motion Is The Future

    It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More

    In 2005 Collaboration is Key

    Perhaps you're a small business owner wondering how you and... Read More

    4 Tips for Keeping a Team Motivated

    Companies often have incentives for reps, but sometimes that isn't... Read More

    Team Building Seminars: Why New Teams Struggle

    With over 25 years of research and experience, we have... Read More

    Manage Expectations to Reduce Everyday Frustrations

    Just today my partner Russ and I sat down to... Read More

    Constructive Group Dynamics: How to Go from the S.N.I.P.P.Y. Syndrome to a C.L.E.A.R. V.I.E.W.

    If asked to look at your work calendar for the... Read More

    How to Turn Idea Squashers into Possibilities

    Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However,... Read More

    Marche, or How Teams Work.

    On the trail in Northern Canada "Marche" was the word... Read More

    Go On, Be A Tiger

    From the moment he putted with Bob Hope on the... Read More

    Beyond Brainstorming ? Large Groups

    When leaders, consultants and managers require ideas, they automatically tend... Read More

    Leadership Quality Through Kindness

    In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More

    Franchisee Relations and Team Work

    Franchisees of a particular franchise must get along in order... Read More

    What Do Trainers Do When They are Not Training?

    In the new corporate environments where everyone wears more than... Read More

    The Stages Of Team Development

    One of the greatest challenges a coaching manager has is... Read More

    Listening Between the Lines

    Have you seen the tee-shirt with the slogan, "Talk to... Read More

    Teaming - How to Build a Team

    Team building takes work but the results are worth it.... Read More

    Communication between franchisees in a franchise system

    If you own a franchise you would be wise to... Read More

    Business Team Building Strategy In The Jungle

    "Tak kenak! Tak kenak!" "Adak Orang sanak!????"The quiet jungle has... Read More

    Why Is Teamwork Training Important?

    "When teamwork kicks in, nobody can beat you." Don Shula,... Read More

    Empower Your Trainees

    One of the most memorable quotes that I heard from... Read More

    Antigo wedding limo ..