The magic of team building: Guest post by Kevin Blake
The magic of team building: Guest post by Kevin Blake
BoomPop Team · 4/27/2022
Think of a card, any card.
On March 19th, 2020, I set up a tripod, a camera, and a Home Depot work light I had in a drawer in my dining room, and performed a magic show over Zoom. I had just canceled all my upcoming show dates and, for obvious reasons, I was feeling a little anxious that I would never be able to perform again. And then something wonderful and magical happened: I became an online magician. Since that first show in my living room, I have been lucky enough to perform hundreds and hundreds of online shows for teams and companies, live events, conferences, and sales meetings all over the country and all over the world.
The abrupt transition to fully remote work has changed the way all of us work, not just us magicians. And while it’s been a challenge to adapt, it has become clear that with the right technology in place, teams can be more productive, employees can feel better about their work-life balance, and both groups can be happier. However, the absence of traditional culture markers like happy hours, a water cooler, and an on-site lunchroom can make it harder for employees to find their social niche, or build relationships with each other—something especially difficult for new hires. The good news is that the old solution is the same as the new one: unique group experiences.
Online magic shows are a surprising, joyous, and very real way of bringing employees together. Groups can bond and connect with one another through unique, shared encounters with interactive mysteries, sleight of hand, and mindreading from some of the best magicians in the world, live, without leaving their home offices. And unlike YouTube or Netflix, the shows are interactive! Your teams make every show different. By their very nature, virtual magic shows also promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills as team members invariably put their heads together after the show to see if they can figure out the tricks. (Good luck!)
Without a doubt my favorite part of my virtual magic experience is seeing the joy on people’s faces, the jaws on the floor, and the chat erupting with surprise throughout. I feel so lucky to be able to bring employees around the world on a mysterious journey through the world of magic, and even share some of the secrets of magic with them along the way.
At the end of the day, the true magic comes not from tricks or illusions, but the feeling we get when the remote walls disappear, the screens are invisible, and we feel truly connected. That a magic show can do that is truly amazing.
If you haven’t, be sure to check out my show ‘Virtually Impossible: A Team Building Magic Show’ right here on Boombox Events.
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