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

    Brookfield limo Midway .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    Creating an email alias can help clean up your inbox by organizing emails based on purpose, like creating different aliases for shopping, newsletters and work.
    A multipurpose robotic system promises to transform how items are stacked onto pallets, aiming to maximize space utilization and reduce shipping costs.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    The number of people affected by a UnitedHealth data breach in February 2024 was actually higher than previously reported and was the largest medical data breach in U.S. history.
    A phishing campaign uses Google Calendar to schedule fake meeting invitations that appear legitimate, redirecting targets to phishing sites.
    Toll road text scam: Fake messages claim unpaid fees, seek payment via fraudulent links. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says these steps ensure that your friends and family get to the exact moment you want them to see. Try it out and streamline your sharing experience.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers tips on how to protect your identity: Be vigilant, monitor accounts, use smart security, know theft response.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.
    It's hard to imagine life without in-flight Wi-Fi these days – but sky-high web surfing comes with its own set of privacy concerns. Here's how to protect yourself.
    Over 400,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission. The CyberGuy explains how to protect against becoming another victim.
    A nondescript metal box transforms into a fully functional electric motorcycle that blurs the line between vehicle and urban infrastructure.
    Many apps unrelated to location still ask users for tracking permission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to end this alleged practice by Allstate.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Melody, the artificial intelligence-powered robot, is life-sized and represents a move toward creating robots that resemble people in appearance and interaction.
    Here are five easy smartphone rules from the National Security Agency that you can follow to better protect your mobile device from hackers and scammers.
    A U.S. robotics company has developed "Jennie," a robotic pet powered by artificial intelligence that's designed to comfort those facing mental health challenges.
    Healthcare records for more than 184 million Americans were breached in 2024, but you can take steps to minimize that risk. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
    The Skyrider X1 from Rictor claims to be the "first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle," and it combines land and air travel in one sleek design.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Home inventory and restoration apps help itemize and track every item in your home in the event you have to make an insurance claim after a natural disaster.
    The White House launched a new cybersecurity safety label, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, intended to help consumers make informed decisions on smart device safety.
    Today's tech can help make life so much easier — if you know how to use it. Here are a few tips on the quickest and best ways to make your phone, laptop and other devices work for you.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers Windows 11 restart fixes: Update drivers, run system scans and check hardware.
    Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 EV launches with advanced tech and entertainment for $89,900. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives his takeaways.

    The Team Process

    We live in very progressive times, one only has to... Read More

    Building Your Dream Marketing Team

    The Fantasy: Your marketing budget is packed to the brim... Read More

    What College Taught Me About Teamwork Training

    I declared a Communications Major two years into school, after... Read More

    Beyond Brainstorming ? Large Groups

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

    Top Ten Things About Team Building

    People who lead the best teams realise early on that... Read More

    Finding The Leader Within (Keys To Zen Leadership)

    Most believe that leadership is an innate quality that some... Read More

    Leadership Quality Through Kindness

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

    What?s Wrong With You, Why Don?t You Understand Me?

    Recently while waiting for our lunch to be served in... Read More

    The 5 Bes of Motivation

    It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More

    Yes, But What Are You Really Saying?

    More and more I hear people misunderstanding what someone else... Read More

    Team Work

    There's nothing that matches the power of teamwork to accomplish... Read More

    Whats Your REAL problem??

    When was the last time you spent excessive time and... Read More

    Hand Out Warm Glows

    Do you remember how you felt after your last interaction... 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

    Collaboration Software - Building an Office Without Walls

    The rise of the internet has given businesses a new... Read More

    Why It Pays to Out More Humor in the Workplace

    1. Humor reduces stress levels and stress is the number... Read More

    How Does Personal Development Help in Business?

    Teams run most businesses and teams work best if each... Read More

    The Top 7 Things Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Employees

    As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and... Read More

    Teaming - How to Build a Team

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

    Working with Difficult People: 3 Questions to Help You Turn Your Tormentors into Teachers

    The Dance of ConflictWhen faced with the prospect of meeting... Read More

    Go On, Be A Tiger

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

    Team Building Celebration Plan -- Perfect For Any Time of Year

    When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More

    5 Reason Why Team Has A 4 Figure Income

    You are new to Internet Marketing, you join one Affiliate... Read More

    Safety First - Five Reasons to Hold a Routine Safety Meeting

    Workplace safety is important to all businesses for ethical, legal... Read More

    Listening Between the Lines

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

    Medinah cheap limo ..