And most organizations don't realize it until Monday morning.

I facilitate CliftonStrengths and team development workshops for organizations that want their people to work better together. Over the years I've noticed something that keeps coming up — and it's worth talking about.

Last year I facilitated a workshop for a team that was genuinely one of my favorite days at work.

The conversation flowed easily. People were laughing. The room opened up in a way that always seems to happen.

What I found out later was that some of the people who spoke up that day almost never talk in meetings or workshops.

I don't say that to brag (maybe a little). I say it because I think about it a lot. And ask myself why.

By the end of the session, several people from the team, separately, without knowing the others were doing it, invited me to join them that night for their yearly divisional celebration.

So I went.

There was dinner, awards, applause. I was a facilitator they had met hours earlier and somehow felt like part of the team.

It's one of my favorite memories from this work. And it's happened more than once!

But every time, we went our separate ways.They went back to their jobs. I went back to mine.

The connection was real. The evening was warm. And nothing about how they worked together changed.

That's what team bonding does well — and where it stops.

Over the next few weeks I want to talk about the difference between team bonding, team building, and team development. Because I think most organizations are stopping one level too early.

This is Part 1 of a 4-part series. Read the full series here:

Part 1: Team Bonding Has a Ceiling (you are here)

Part 2: Why I keep getting invited to team dinners

What's the most memorable team event your organization has ever done? Was it bonding, building, or something more?

I'd love to hear about it. Contact me here or connect with me on LinkedIn.

If your team is planning a CliftonStrengths, team development, or first-time manager workshop this year, I'd be happy to talk through what would make it most useful.

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