CBS TV’s new reality series “Undercover Boss” has quickly gained popularity for the way is resonates with America’s workers.  The show follows CEOs of expansive companies such as 7-Eleven and White Castle as they join the front lines of their workforce.  The fact that these leaders resort to using deception to uncover the truth – good, bad and ugly – behind what goes on in the company they lead, illustrates a fundamental truth in any hierarchical relationship.  People will act differently when the leader – parent, teacher or boss – is around. 

In a sense, “Undercover Boss” illustrates what teambuilding facilitators have been doing for decades – facilitating open communication between various levels of management within a company.  In team building this is accomplished through structured activities that utilize tools like simulations and metaphors to relate games to the workplace.  Once everyone is involved in problem-solving activities together, barriers break down.  When it comes time to debrief, employees feel empowered to share what is on their mind.

Of course, even in teambuilding it’s rare for the really big boss, like the CEO of a national organization, to directly participate with front-line workers. But corporate communication trickles down through various levels of management and then has to crawl back up again.  It takes effort to keep those channels of communication flowing.

When varying levels of employees are able to participate in an event, it can be a useful opportunity for managers to hear what people are doing and talking about.  It allows colleagues to get to know each other outside of the stresses and structure of the work place. But team building is more than learning about each other’s children and pets.  The goal is to get to gain insight into how another works, what motivates them, what they like and dislike.  

The difference from “Undercover Boss” is that in teambuilding, there is full disclosure – no deception or made-up stories.  And, even better, no camera crew.