We’ve all started new jobs before and we’re all familiar with the challenge of getting to know new colleagues and learning about the culture and climate of a new workplace. Twelve people work in the Educational Media Technologies department here at NMC, and four of those individuals (myself included) are new additions. One thing that we’ve done that has really helped us to come together (and have a little fun in the office) is our ongoing putt putt competition.
It’s important to note that we really didn’t plan this as a team building exercise. It just sort of happened. Several months ago someone brought in one of those practice putt putt holes (you know, the one with the green felt strip and elevated hole).
Someone else brought in a putter, a few folks brought in golf balls, and so it was.
It started out innocently enough – someone would take a break, putt a few golf balls and then get back to work. We’ve got some competitive people in the department, however, and we soon started to one-up each other by making longer putts. Then it turned into an all out competition and everyone was taking part. Using masking tape and a marker, we’ll put a mark on the floor when a new long putt is made and then others will try to out-do that mark.
When a longer putt simply cannot be made, the last person who sunk a putt gets to peel their name off of the floor and add it to our wall of champions.
Then we create a new hole position. This usually happens every week or two. We’ve had some creative ideas for hole positions too. We’ve had lengthy holes spanning several rooms and we’ve used 2x4s for bank shots. This week’s hole is blind bank shot starting in front of our project board, wrapping around the DVD collection and past some A/V gear.
The biggest challenge we’ve found is the undulating floor. If you think it’s tricky to predict the break on an actual golf course, you should try doing it on linoleum tile.
This ain’t no exclusive, members only club though. No doubt if you’ve stopped by our office and we were putting, the gauntlet was thrown before you. And several of you have answered with vigor. It’s been good fun. It’s a nice way to break up the pace of the day, get away from our screens, get together, and laugh, even if it’s only for a few minutes. It’s also helped to build a little cohesion around here. Putting has turned into an initiation too. One of the first things our new team members are introduced to is the putt-putt.
On a side note, my colleagues would be mad if I led you to believe that we sit around putt-putting all day. We don’t. We get our stuff done and we have a little fun in the process.
Next time you’re around our neck of the woods, stop in and make a putt. Maybe, one day, with a little practice, your name can be on the wall of champions too.