The hour ends, and John Smith calls up a woman to the front. You don’t recognize this woman, either. John Smith explains that she is from an outside company and has come to speak on corporate etiquette and giving effective criticism as she seats herself next to him, having picked up a sandwich from the pile of food in the corner which was marked for John Smith. She offers it to John Smith, but John Smith declines.
John Smith raises a hand. John Smith would like to address something.
“I have heard that there were concerns with the quality of the catering,” John Smith begins, but already the rumors begin flying.
“Didn’t HR arrange for this catering, anyways?” one man mutters in an accusatory tone. Others nod, one opening their limp sandwich to reveal a slice of cheese and wilted vegetables for added effect.
Another employee stands up, brushing themselves off. “Well, sirs, I think the last expenses report was filed by … a Melissa from HR? If I’m right?”
Eyes turn towards Melissa, and Melissa turns beet red.
“I… um…” Melissa tries to hide under their sweater. “I… I wasn’t. No. I wasn’t in charge of the catering, I don’t think? No, that’s not the right way to say it, I don’t know how to put it, sorry. I… um…“
The employee who opened their sandwich raises it up next to their face and makes a disgusted expression, shaking their paper plate ominously. Several employees whisper comments about Melissa under their breath. John Smith, sensing something bad about to happen, walks forward and reaches a hand out to Melissa.
“Melissa, let’s walk and talk.”
He motions for the speaker to begin, and encourages her to eat his sandwich. John Smith thinks the group needs to learn effective ways of communication and expressing their criticisms.
The speaker takes a bite out of the sandwich once John Smith leaves the room with Melissa. The sandwich that someone had placed for John Smith to take.
The speaker collapses.
The third activity of the retreat is one meant to improve corporate communication. Proper etiquette and unambiguous communication is important in a corporate setting to ensure that ideas and comments are easily disseminated within the larger group.
The (optional) activity for today is for each employee to share a compliment about another employee. Ensure that you both discuss what they did well, and offer them suggestions for further improvement in other areas. This is not an arena for rude or inappropriate comments.