Phony Book Deal and Corporate Squid Games

Phony Book Deal and Corporate Squid Games

From Drinks After Work with Shannon and Deb by Shannon Tipton

February 11, 2026 · 23 min · Episode 19

About this episode

Shannon and Deborah discuss the pitfalls of forced team building exercises and the importance of understanding team needs through stay interviews.

Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about: Why forced team building exercises make everyone scatter like roaches The difference between building culture and forcing "fun" Stay interviews vs. exit interviews (and why timing matters) When the CEO thinks they're everyone's buddy (spoiler: they're not) How to survive mandatory team building when you'd rather be anywhere else In this episode, Shannon and Deborah tackle the dreaded corporate team building exercise—from rope courses nobody asked for to virtual activities that somehow make it worse. They break down why these forced bonding sessions often backfire, what leaders get wrong about culture, and how knowing your team's actual needs (through stay interviews, not mandatory fun) makes all the difference. Plus, they share survival tips for when you're stuck doing trust falls against your will. So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Learn what stay interviews are and why they beat exit interviews Understand why series beats events for building real trust Create your own team building moments (with people you actually like) Make the best of it…

People in this episode

Hosts: Shannon Tipton, Deborah

Topics covered

  • team building
  • corporate culture
  • stay interviews
  • exit interviews
  • leadership
  • trust building

Keywords

  • team building exercises
  • corporate culture
  • stay interviews
  • exit interviews
  • leadership disconnect
  • trust falls
  • mandatory fun

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