Introduction
To be frank, team building can sometimes feel like a drag. Trust falls, anyone? But what if I shared a new flavor in town that’s got everyone buzzing? Enter Drone soccer – the high-tech offspring of drones and soccer that’s bringing a bit of excitement to the corporate cohort.
It looks like what it sounds like: You and your office pals are gathered around controllers navigating little drones buzzing through the air. Your mission? Pass your teams drone through the other teams goal while preventing them from scoring on you. It’s life as an advanced video game but even better because you are live and in person accredited, screaming, high-fiving when you score directions.
Now I know what you’re thinking. “Drones? At work? Sounds complicated.” The best part is, you don’t have to be a techie or an expert soccer player to enjoy the experience. We are looking for teamwork, quick responses, and a little old-fashioned fun.
So what’s got Drone soccer taking off in corporate offices faster than free donuts on Friday? Let’s break it down.
It’s a Real Ice-Breaker
How awkward was it to try to talk to Bob from accounting at the last office party? Well, nothing skates past an icebreaker like bonding over flying a drone over Karen from HR. You find yourself strategizing together, cheering each other on. You do bond miraculously fast when you’re both trying to understand why your drone keeps flying toward the ceiling.
Everyone Can Join In
Unlike that company softball game where half the team had some “sudden busyness” that day, Drone soccer is for everybody. You don’t have to be the office athlete to stand out here. It’s brains over brawn all the way. That quiet coder may well be your MVP, while the sales hotshot learns a lesson in teamwork or two.
It’s Actually Fun (I Promise!)
So how many of those A-Z team building exercises have you been on where you’re keeping an eye on your watch? With Drone soccer, time flies really, pun well intended. It’s really hard not to go insane when there’s little machines going around and your coworkers are cheering like they’re at the World Cup.
You Learn Things Without Realizing It
Now here’s the sneaky part – while you’re having your fun, you’re actually learning some good skills. Need to prove yourself to be calm under pressure? Check. Need to pivot and change plans on the fly? You got it. Those are the types of things bosses love to see, but you’ll be too busy swatting up in chasing down pages to even realize you’re learning.
It Brings Out the Best (and the Funniest) in People
You train on data until October 2023. You could find that quiet Sally in reception is a tactical genius, or that your super-serious boss has a competitive streak a mile wide. It’s an opportunity to see your coworkers in a totally different light — and, more often than not, a very funny one.
So, How Do You Start This Party?
From here, locate a company that hosts Drone soccer events. They’ll set you up with all the gear, and teach you the steps. You’ll want to find an adequate space in which to play — something like a big empty room, not the break room with the cubicles.
This is your situation when you’re tournament-Ing. “When you’re choosing groups, vary it. Get people who don’t normally collaborate working side by side. It works great in helping to dispel those office cliques and get people talking across departments.
But before you begin, the most important thing to reiterate to everyone is that it’s just for fun. Nobody’s getting fired if their drone work isn’t up to par (or at least I hope not — if so, you may have a far greater issue than team building).
After the game, go grab a drink or a bite to eat and discuss how it went. You’ll be amazed at how many guffaws you’ll share reminiscing over the best bits. And who knows? You may even get some ideas on how to collaborate better back at the office.
Listen, we share so much time with our coworkers after all. Might as well have some fun during some of that time, no? Drone soccer is an opportunity to let loose, have some laughs and possibly learn a thing or two about one another. Talk about team building for the 21st century — no trust falls necessary.
So the next time somebody decides the team needs another of those categorical team-building exercises, try selling them on drone soccer instead. You never know, you might end up the office hero. And hey, at least you’ll have some solid stories to share over a drink at the next happy hour. You might just try not to crow too loudly if your team wins — nobody likes a drone hog.
