I think about the topic of connection a lot, given what I do for a living, but also my own personal quest to authentically connect with people that matter to me. A recent insight on that topic is that a key ingredient to true connection on a human level is vulnerability. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable in the presence of someone that has gained our trust, and in exchange, when someone is vulnerable with us, they are creating an opportunity for empathy and creative problem solving to happen.

The big surprise for me was to suddenly see how that dynamic shows up in the kitchen. There's something uniquely disarming about being in the kitchen with your team that no corporate workshop can replicate. The moment everyone puts on their apron, titles and hierarchies melt away. Suddenly, the top sales manager is asking the new hire for help because they've never julienned a carrot, or the quietest team member is confidently showing everyone how their grandmother's secret sauce recipe steals the show. Before we know, colleagues are sharing personal experiences and challenges, and melting layers of perceived differences and hierarchies.

The kitchen is a place where we naturally ‘get personal’, where we share stories, generational traditions and share experiences. Beyond that, those conversations happen while we are working together toward immediate, tangible rewards and goals. You get to eat your achievements and share in team building!

Being in the kitchen together creates shared vulnerability in a safe manner because the stakes are not so high. Failure can lead to a salty dish, or soggy pasta, the pressure of a big project failure or dent on anyone’s professional credibility are simply not there. It is a place where mistakes can often be laughable. 

In this new place of deeper connection, teams will feel safer to speak their minds, create a more inclusive environment and explore innovative solutions for their challenges together in a lasting and impactful way.

5 Reasons Why Cooking is the Best Form of Team Building

1. Natural Hierarchy Dissolution: When everyone puts on an apron, titles naturally fade. The focus shifts to shared learning and collaboration.‍
2. Authentic Vulnerability: There's something uniquely disarming about learning new skills together in the kitchen. Trust builds naturally as teams support each other through new challenges.‍
3. Tangible Results: Unlike traditional team building exercises, cooking provides immediate, shared accomplishments that teams can enjoy together.‍
4. Low-Stakes Learning: The kitchen provides a safe space for trial and error. Mistakes become learning opportunities without professional pressure.‍
5. Cultural Exchange: Food naturally encourages sharing of personal histories and traditions, creating deeper understanding among team members.

Looking to spice up your holiday team building?

Skip the PowerPoints and pass the cutting boards. Whether it's a festive cookie decorating contest or a full-on feast preparation, cooking together creates the kind of authentic connections that last long after the dishes are done.

Book your holiday cooking team building event now!

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