Quote:
Originally Posted by pylon
The thing is, you can do both.
I have taken part in a ton of things I hated, but still did in the name of the 'team'. Depending on the type of work environment, team building can be huge. In my industry, you cannot operate with a broken one. I work shoulder to shoulder with two other guys in my department, and the number one reason we have been together for 7 years, is because there are no egos, and we work 100% together.
And you don't have to be drunk and zany at company gatherings. I NEVER consume booze ever at any company function. Not even our Christmas party. Not going doesn't make you a bad colleague, but I would argue, stepping out of your comfort zone, and trying something new.... makes you a better one.
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I don't disagree that stepping out of your comfort zone can be enlightening, and I wish I was more extroverted, but some of hate having things be forced upon us. I've taken plenty of risks in my life (picked up and moved to a whole different country, quit a steady job in the middle of economic collapse to set out on my own), but it was under my terms. I'm adult enough to know what works for me and what doesn't. I hate being the center of attention, and hate being told what to do. That won't change. I'm not going to turn into Tony Robbins because someone forces me to do some karaoke or play golf. I like my comfort zone. It's comfortable for a reason!
Maybe some of us are just crappy team players in the traditional sense. We would make crappy Managers or CEOs…but chances are, we're probably not looking to do that anyway, and are good at things that don't require as much team work. It doesn't mean we don't like to go out for a beer or spend time with co-workers. But organized company outings are about as natural as the forced-fun of New Years Eve.