Want boss to like you? Trampoline jumping can help

Most employees understand the importance of having a cordial relationship with their boss.

A healthy boss-employee equation can not only positively affect the work environment and improve on-the-job productivity and career satisfaction, but may also result in increments, bonuses and vital promotions.

But, more often than not, the burden of breaking the ice and getting to know the employees on a personal level is shouldered by the boss. But it shouldn’t always be so.

Bridging that gap can be an employee’s initiative too, and what better way to do so than by jumping together on the trampoline.

It may sound a bit weird to some who believe only a session in the office meeting room with extensive flow charts or pep up talk is what it takes to make office relationships work.

Not necessarily, though. Jumping on trampolines is a newer and, as some say, a better way too, when it comes to team building programmes that can bring together colleagues and bosses.

Doran Davis, Chief Operating Officer, Bounce Dubai, a place that organises such events, gives a thumbs up if you think jumping on a trampoline can help you bring closer to your boss and eventually make your life easier within the four walls of an office.

“The adrenaline rush you get from jumping combined with the host of seriously fun activities is an epic combination. Bouncing allows people to embrace their inner child and is a great form of stress relief – releasing endorphins allowing everyone to relax and have some fun,” he told Emirates 24|7.

“There is huge value in taking a team into a fun and active environment, getting the blood flowing, energy pumping and breaking down barriers,” he says, suggesting this fun exercise if you’ve had a fallout with the boss/colleague or just otherwise.

And many prominent companies are taking up trampoline jumping seriously to help their staff bond and build stronger relationships.

Blue chip names like Chanel, Red Bull, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Du, Emirates, Louis Vuitton and Marriott Hotel Group… all have sent their staff to jump, bounce and get better to work in a team.

Fashion giant L’Oreal got not only employees from Dubai but from all over the GCC to come and jump on trampolines.

YouTube video of the L’Oreal team’s day out at Bounce Dubai

“The key objectives were to get the team bonded and to break down the typical corporate barriers,” says Davis.

The L’Oreal team bounced, played dodge ball and participated in fancy dressing up to promote team working, leadership and communication.

According to Davis, their team-building programmes include strengthening, communication, leadership, trust, initiative and of course team work, all on trampolines.

Office fallouts, whether with the boss or colleagues, is quite an expected thing to happen in a work environment when personalities often clash.

These can be dealt with many strategies in the office itself but the level of mistrust and animosity when we strive for the same things remain quite high in a formal setting.

Changing the environment, where we can let loose, play and have fun just like little kids, may be a lot more helpful.

When all of us are laughing, the boss may look a bit more giving and the selfish colleague, who’s been trying to jeopardise your promotion, may look slightly more reliable, at least until the next round of increments.
 

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