Misty River Optimal Organizations > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is meant by "Optimal Team Building"?

Why should an organization engage in Optimal Team Building?

Aren't programs that include team activities just an excuse for a good time?

What is meant by 'Experiential Based'?

Can you qualify and quantify Optimal Team Building benefits?

How does Misty River compare to games and 'ropes' courses

What does Misty River offer?

How can a group of inexperienced participants row in 8-boats in a single session?

What are the costs?

Where is the Misty River program offered?

What is meant by "Optimal Team Building"?
A "team" is a group of people working toward common goals. "Team building" is the process of enabling a group of people to reach their goals." Optimal Team Building " brings both compatible and disparate groups together to perform optimally in support of common goals. Through discovery and practice, Optimal Teams hone the full range of their individual and collective skills and strategically apply them to the tasks at hand. [Top of page]

Why should an organization engage in Optimal Team Building?
Teams that "work together" can out-perform groups that are merely "together working". Teams that are focused on being an "optimal team" can out-perform even themselves. A team functioning within an Optimal Organization is one in which the team members have developed unique knowledge and mastery. This unique knowledge of their team and their relationship to it allows them to quickly rally to focus on a new opportunity--or to swiftly and effectively respond to crisis. [Top of page]

Aren't programs that include team activities just an excuse for a good time?
In the rapidly changing science of organizational management, there is increasing emphasis on team building activities in the workplace. Research has shown that activities involving the interaction of a team outside of their working environment are sometimes, not only extremely useful, but more effective than in-house training. A transformational experience shared by a group of individuals can dramatically change the dynamics of the participants in the work place-it can make them more open to new experiences, more empathetic, more strategic, and more intuitively focused on achieving collective goals. Misty River provides such an experience. [Top of page]

What is meant by 'Experiential Based'?
"Experiential" is the concept that people "learn by doing". This is the foundation of Misty River 's experience-based programs. "Doing" is often not enough, however. Our integration of doing, learning, discovering and applying is transformational. Our facilitators are 'Experiential Practitioners'-those who have personally participated in, developed and lead optimally performing teams. They have created, developed, lead and turned around teams in some of the largest Fortune 1000 firms. [Top of page]

Can you qualify and quantify Optimal Team Building benefits?
Team building activities effect more than the scope of that team's work. They influence social, physical, psychological or educational activities. They build bridges between colleagues at many levels outside the scope of work, further strengthening the roots of their social relationships. A profound common experience can provide the foundation for better communication, cooperation and understanding. This leads to more effective performance of the entire group and increased success of the overall enterprise.
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How does Misty River compare to games and 'ropes' courses?
Many classic team training experiences involve either classroom seminar settings or outdoor activities centered on overcoming fear factors, or focusing on competition between participants. While competition is an important aspect of our human nature, it does not always serve the overall goals of teams or organizations. Particularly physically challenging events can introduce danger, fear and exclusion. Rowing is a sport for all ages. Rowing and Misty River 's other experiences are focused on inclusion and mastery through team performance. While the experiences are 'fun'-they are intense, strategic, and thought-provoking-and they are on a more in-depth level of engagement and mastery than 'game-type' activities. [Top of page]

What does Misty River offer?
Misty River 's core modules focus on Communications, Trust, Shared Responsibility, Team Dynamics and Optimal Health. The modules are blended with Team Rowing-and can be supplemented with Golf, Orienteering, and arts-based experiences such as Improvisation, reinforcing optimal team principles. Misty River can combine content modules and experiences into a variety of formats spanning from ½ to two or more days. Misty River can also deliver an 'add on' team building experience that can complement a client-provided training session or event at Misty River fixed-base locations. Programs can be customized to address particular client needs, such as Executive Retreats and facilitated strategic planning sessions. Misty River also offers expanded sessions from over 80 courses developed by the Center for Organizational Design through 360 Solutions. Misty River can administer assessments to identify team dynamics and provide additional insight for the development of tailored programs. Family Enterprise programs can also be delivered engaging family members in parallel or add on sessions. [Top of page]

How can a group of inexperienced participants row in 8-boats in a single session?
Misty River 's collegiate and professional coaches introduce dry land practice to familiarize participants with fundamental techniques, rowing language and basic safety elements. Teams are formed and they launch the boats. Once on the water the coaches provide direction to the individuals and the team. While each position takes individual direction, the other team members are providing stability for the boat. By the end of the first two hour session, the team is moving the 8-boat through the water. Throughout the process experienced collegiate rower-interns provide additional stability and dimension to the experience. There are many metaphors during this process that are applied to each individual's role on their organization's team. As time goes on, coordination, navigation, speed, technique and mastery take on increasing importance-just as they do in today's workplace. [Top of page]

What are the costs?
Misty River program pricing is dependent on the combination of courses and experiences, the number of participants, and the level of customization required. A comprehensive proposal can be developed upon request with input from the client. Program pricing is all-inclusive course delivery, catering, venue, facilitation, rowing support, materials, Misty River Staff travel and can include accommodations for multiple day sessions. Having a comprehensive offering with firm pricing saves the client valuable planning and coordination time-since the venue and all arrangements are included-and prevents any 'add-on' surprises which can quickly add up in an 'ala carte' program. [Top of page]

Where is the Misty River program offered?
Misty River Optimal Organizations is headquartered in Aquia Harbour, Virginia and uses a combination of Fixed Base Operations (FBO) including Eagle Crest Conference Resort on Ford Lake at Ypsilanti, MI ; Wyandotte Boat Club in Wyandotte Michigan, the Inn at Levelfields on Calm Waters at Lancaster, VA, and Old Town Alexandria in Alexandria, VA. Misty River can also provide events at a pre-qualified location near the client with our Mobile Center.
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How can I find out more?
Contact Misty River Optimal Organizations, Inc. at
info@misty-river.com, by phone at: (703) 623-1362