Learn Team Building through Samba

This paper discusses the team building through Samba dancing for departmental talent show in annual dinner. When we received the mission to perform a dancing show which represented our department, we have a very clear team goal and target.

Goal and Target:
It remains three week for us to practice the Samba. In the beginning, the practice schedule is planned to be practice two day per week in lunch hour. We have planned 4 pair for Samba and Drum player sole. Time is tight and participants are not enough.

Individual Resource:
One of our colleagues is familiar with Samba and she works as our dancing teacher. Another colleague who is familiar with music and drum player; and he prepares the background music. After that we need to recruit 7 colleagues as dancers. Initially, there are only 2 girls and 2 boys to join the practice but it is only half participants in our target. Under no circumstance, some colleagues are encouraged and forced to join.

Encourage Team Members to Develop Skills:
The first lesson, we have learned the basic step of Samba. At that time, every participant have practice the same posture and motion. We listen to the beat and rhythm. However, some people come late, no show or can’t achieve the progress. During the dancing pair matching, our teacher selected at least one of partner with good sense of rhythm that can help the whole performance. Our dancing teacher works as team leader to motivate every one when we achieve a certain level. Some team member joined us late (e.g. after 3 lesson). Team leader is coaching them individually and assigns one of the best team members to lead the others to practice. When there is only a week before annual dinner, all dancing team members request to practice more times spontaneously. The commitment is more obviously.

Communication and Involvement:
We have a communication platform to update all department members about our practice progress and encourage others to join us. We show the whole arrangement of dancing show to all staff in the department. The sequence of the show is 1) Samba by 4 dancing pairs; 2) Sole of Drum player & dancer and 3) all people to join the dance of “Macarena”. Two days before annual dinner, we have up to 30 colleagues to join the “Macarena” practice. It is very high team spirit at the time. Finally, we have a good show in annual dinner and all audience is appreciated.

Conclusion:
Team building is not only one super dancer in the show but it needs every team member involvement and whose understand the Samba steps, rhythm, concentration, matching and respect with partner. In here, drumming is a great way to break down barriers, create common environment and teach people the value of listening and learning together as a team. Leader needs encouraging individuals to work with others towards a common goal. During this Samba dancing, we learn the following key points about effectiveness of team:
1) Clear objectives: Talent Show in annual dinner
2) All team members have opportunities to contribute to objective setting
3) Support for each other during practice
4) Regular review of team performance for learning rather than blaming
5) Good communication
6) Sufficient time for planning
7) There is a broad mix of skills (dancing & drumming) and personal attributes.
After the show, every team members are satisfied their performance and rewarded by learning Samba.