This Friday, we're sharing a unique team building activity by the Capital Projects team at Adelaide University, where Branch Manager Martin Crabb drew on the symbolism of trees and forests to create a thoughtful reminder of what helps teams grow and thrive.
“Yesterday I supported the Adelaide University Capital Projects team during their team building day, which used the analogy of trees and forests to highlight the importance of synergy and a healthy team culture.
As part of the activities, I coordinated the planting of two Eucalyptus trees at the Waite campus and shared several planning principles that link directly to building strong team culture.
Below is the information I presented, along with plant samples that helped explain aspects of Indigenous culture and the historical significance of these species on campus."
Martin's team-building narrative for the tree planting
“When we plant this blue gum today, we’re really planting a symbol of how strong teams grow.
The soil is the culture, the environment that is created together. If the soil is healthy, the tree thrives. If the culture is healthy, people do too.
The stakes and support around a young tree represent collaboration and care. None of us stands upright alone. We steady each other, especially during change.
Choosing the right place / environment is about planning—being intentional about where and how we work so we set ourselves up for success.
Water, light and nutrients are the things that keep the tree growing. For a team, that’s communication, learning, feedback, and celebrating wins.
Pruning is the reminder that improvement is ongoing. Refining how we work so we stay strong and adaptable.
And over time, the tree forms growth rings—some thick, some thin. That’s resilience. That’s our story too.
Finally, when we look at all your drawn trees together, we see a forest. A forest is stronger than any single tree. It protects, supports, and grows as one ecosystem.
So today, we’re not just planting a tree—we’re planting a reminder of what can be achieve when you support each other and create the right environment to grow.”
Big thanks to Martin Crabb for sharing this lovely story and fantastic initiative!
If you have a story to share that demonstrates the reasons we Work and Smile, you can submit your story by clicking below. And don't be shy! Every accomplishment, big or small, matters.
