What do Brussels Sprouts and Team Building have in common?

Team building seems to be the Brussels Sprouts of the corporate world. We all know they are good for us, but do we really like them?

I certainly didn't love Brussels Sprouts. I knew they were good for me I just didn't like them. I steamed them, I didn't like them. I boiled them, I still didn't like them. I marinated them in lemon and still didn’t like them. I swore I would never eat them again, and then one day I was introduced to Brussels Sprouts in a whole different way - chargrilled in a restaurant.

Then I went on a Brussels Sprouts quest and tried different dishes made by chefs in restaurants and now I really see the value and the enjoyment and the flavour in Brussels Sprouts.

You see the difference was these people were professionals, the chefs knew how to mix the right flavours, cooking styles, and presentations to take something that I thought was horrible into something I look forward to now.

What This Has to Do With Team Building? 

It is exactly the same.

When it’s rushed, poorly designed, or done 'because we should', it feels like those soggy, boiled sprouts. It ticks a box, but no one is asking for seconds. But when it is thoughtfully designed by people who understand group dynamics, personality differences, energy and flow, it becomes something entirely different. It feels purposeful. Engaging. Even enjoyable.

I also know some people absolutely love Brussels Sprouts. And yes, some people LOVE  team building too.

But for the ones who don’t? Maybe it isn’t the concept, maybe it is just the way it’s been served.

And for those of you interested, here are a couple of notable places where I have found some nice Brussels Sprout dishes:

• Odyssey in City Beach (now closed unfortunately)

• Bar Amelie in Subiaco

• The Como Hotel in South Perth

I am always happy to try new Brussels Sprouts dishes. If you have any other suggestions for me, drop them in the comments below.

P.S.  my business partner Christine, loves Brussels Spouts, and said this blog should be about dentists. So, to apply the concept to dentists - nobody likes going but we know it is good for us, and a finding a good, pain free dentist is life changing!

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