The tension is high and voices are hushed as the field fills with people, moving two by two until all forty have positioned themselves.  The duos stay close to each other, whispering intensely,  gesturing around the space and consulting the maps they hold. 

 Suddenly, the signal sounds and the game is on.  The previously subdued field has been transformed into a frantic scene – people dodging, ducking, moving deliberately together, a gun toting leader shielding a map-wielding partner who occasionally stops to grab a flag here or collect a baton from over there.  No longer hushed, they are accompanied by loud laughter and shouts.  Brightly colored streaks fly through the air, creating a rainbow that blurs the people against the Arizona high-desert landscape.

  Fifteen minutes later a loud cheer erupts to signal that a duo has reached their final destination.  This game is over but the group is energized and ready for the next one to begin. Welcome to modern paintball – where it’s not enough to be the biggest, baddest gunman who muscles his way to victory. 

 Strategy is the name of the game here as teams cooperate to shoot targets, retrieve objects, rescue team members and perform tasks in order to get to the next location or checkpoint.  Teams work together under pressure and stress to achieve their goals quickly and efficiently.  They may even have to be creative when they find themselves with limited resources.   Here there is a place and a role for all types and ability levels.

 If this situation has a vaguely familiar feel, it should.  If you are a business manager, you know the term SMART goal – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely.  It all comes to life out on the playing field.  

In this environment – under pressure but cooperative and goal-oriented, people see each other and themselves with fresh eyes.  From this energy and excitement flows discussion, ideas, insights & “ah-ha” moments.  This is what corporate teambuilding should look like.