How do you deal with a manager always forcing in person team activities? Saying it's all about collaboration.

14 Comments

1. Erin RamirezMarch 22,2025 at 11:43PM UTC

   To me it would tell me that the manager thinks their team is not collaborating and needs improvement.

   I’ve never been forced but have had managers wanting the team to work well together. I always jumped at the chance, because let’s face it we all can use these activities whether it be with the current company or the next one down the road.

2. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 4:40AM UTC

   It's just a sign of the times. The climate right now in corporate America is RTO based on creating a culture of collaboration. It's a lie but one you're expected to play along with and pretend. In about 3 years we will be on to something else.

   The collective just goes along to keep their jobs. It's a mob mentality.

3. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 12:35PM UTC

   As a project manager, team building activities are important to build trust. Getting to know your team mates better builds rapport that translates into positive team collaboration. This will help teams get work done and everyone will feel more committed to the task at hand.

   If your manager is forcing these activities on you, then she must see a lack or team cohesion. If you don't like the activities she's planning, maybe suggest something that you think would work better.

   If you're complaining because you don't want to collaborate with your team mates and don't want to participate, you might be the reason she is making these activities mandatory.

4. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 7:58PM UTC

   Who said manager was a “she.”

5. AnonymousMarch 24,2025 at 2:07PM UTC

   Really? you're going to come on a site that is dedicated to helping and supporting women then try to be pedantic because the assumption is that the person the OP is talking about is a woman. Wow, way to be clueless and just wanting to start some sh1t. Go back to X to troll.

6. AnonymousMarch 25,2025 at 12:38PM UTC

   What? They want in person activities? Forcing? Is it outside of the working hours where you're paid? Yea, don't underestimate the value of that attempt to get a team to connect. Now, outside of working hours, it should be optional, however, time to time it could be good for you.

7. AnonymousMarch 25,2025 at 1:32PM UTC

   I had a boss who called it "mandatory fun."

8. AnonymousMarch 27,2025 at 2:03AM UTC

   WTH?? That sounds like Pre-School!!

9. Maggie SoldanoMarch 25,2025 at 10:18PM UTC

   You go with it. And look for something that's a better fit. The manager has a style and it doesn't work for you. Happens all the time.

10. AnonymousApril 2,2025 at 11:22PM UTC

    Nope. You sound like a tone deaf person. Probably a horrible manager behind closed doors

11. AnonymousMarch 27,2025 at 3:27PM UTC

    I would say that is a good manager. I have concerns about your word forcing because I might assume you are remote? If you are remote then the manager is trying to make sure that their team is working well together in the best way they know how. Perhaps giving the manager some feedback as to how you feel? Let them know the cadence, content or collab activities are not doing it for you or that maybe they need to change some things. Recommend that they do a survey on how others are feeling as well. Bring it up in the next event or better yet in your private 1-1. Don't mutiny, instead learn to manage your manager.

12. AnonymousMarch 28,2025 at 12:18PM UTC

    I believe some people don't think about how an introvert may not want to do team building exercises. Not because they don't like their team, but because they are uncomfortable with it. We shouldn't tell people they're wrong for how they feel but accept the differences in others and compromise on what team building should encompass.

13. AnonymousMarch 28,2025 at 2:32PM UTC

    While I understand the benefit of team collaboration, this is something I really don't miss about the corporate workplace -- forced fraternization. There has got to be a better way to build teamwork. Perhaps form a volunteer committee to organize activities so that the team members can provide some input and help plan what might work best. Different types of activities can help address the needs of different personalities.

14. Celena BartonMarch 30,2025 at 12:53PM UTC

    It sounds like there is an issue within the team and your manager is trying to bring everyone together versus singling out a few individuals. It’s not the right approach. If enough of you on the team feel the same way, you should take it to the manager as a group. It sounds like their manager is committed to making the team work but just doesn’t know the best way to go about doing it.