I’m standing in a field when I hear footsteps pounding behind me—fast, violent and getting closer.
I catch a flash of movement in my glasses. Someone’s charging straight at me, low and aming belt high just like a football tackle.
And my body just reacts. I start to bring my elbow up —timing it—ready to use his own momentum to knock him cold
And then… I recognize him. It’s my CEO. And this… is a team-building exercise.
So yeah… this could get awkward.
We’re playing a version of capture the flag. Everyone’s got these flags tucked into their belts. Red team, blue team. You basically have to find members of the opposite team and grab their flags.
But I had drifted from the group and things had gone quiet. I’d kind of forgotten we were playing a game. Also, I don’t run very well. So when someone comes at me like that, my defensive instincts kick in way too fast.
So now I’ve got this split-second to react.
Am I about to take out the CEO and owner of the company? (Big breath)
Thankfully I relax just as he grabs my flag.
He’s pretty chuffed as I turn around and say, “Nice, I didn’t even see you there.”
But for the rest of the day I kept thinking… yeah, that could’ve gone very differently.
And that made me wonder—if I had knocked him cold, would that awkward moment have turned into a great bonding story?
Probably not
Trying to create connection and teamwork is a good thing…but you can’t force it.
Because if the situation feels dangerous or unnatural, people don’t lean in.
They brace.
And when they do that you’re not building trust.
You’re just hoping YOU don’t get the elbow.
Ever had a “team-building” moment that completely missed the mark?
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