The Chinese Language Program (CLP) is dedicated to supporting the growth and relationship building of its Teaching Assistants and Work Learn students (TAWL). As part of this commitment, the CLP hosts an annual Professional Development Team Building Workshop designed to foster connection, collaboration, and professional growth.
On Friday, November 1st, 2024, the CLP TAWL community came together for an inspiring evening of interactive games and insightful talks, exploring key themes around teamwork, cultural adaptability, and personal development in the workplace.
This workshop featured three insightful speakers, including lecturers 陈文慧 (Wen2 Hui4 Chen2), 许淑婷 (Shu1 Ting2 Xu3), and 于佳音 (Jia1 Yin1 Yu2), who shared their expertise on turning feedback into personal growth, adapting to diverse workplace cultures, and navigating the challenges of new job environments. These discussions not only sparked engaging conversations but also encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences and strategies for success.
Team-Building in Action
The fun and engaging evening began with an interactive team-building game designed to break the ice and encourage participants to connect in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. Right from the start, the room was filled with laughter and excitement, setting a lively tone for the rest of the workshop. For many TAWLs, team-building games served as a memorable opportunity to connect with colleagues outside of the typical work setting. It helped turn acquaintances into friends, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. The excitement and connections built during the team-building games seamlessly carried into the next segment, where the speakers shared their insights, fostering even more meaningful discussions. This sense of friendship and teamwork created a comfortable environment where participants felt more open to sharing and collaborating in the later discussions.
Inspiring Presentations and Key Insights
In the next segment, each speaker delivered an engaging presentation, leaving attendees to discuss the valuable insights and actionable takeaways. After each speaker’s presentation, attendees moved into small group discussions to reflect on the themes shared. CLP student employees delved into a range of questions, exploring how these concepts applied to their own experiences and brainstorming ways to implement the lessons learned. They shared personal challenges and successes in adapting to workplace cultures, responding to feedback, and building resilience amid change. These conversations fostered a collaborative environment, encouraging participants to exchange perspectives, support each other’s growth, and reinforce the practical value of each lecturer’s presentation.
Wen Hui Chen’s presentation on “Self-Help, Response, and Beyond: Turning Workplace
Feedback into Nourishment”
Wen Hui laoshi’s talk provided a fresh perspective on using feedback as a tool for personal growth. She encouraged participants to remain objective, embrace curiosity, and acknowledge the subjectivity that feedback often carries. She highlighted the importance of rationally responding to feedback emotions and actively seeking new possibilities for self-improvement. Wen Hui laoshi’s advice to view feedback from the giver’s perspective and focus on continuous growth left a strong impression on participants, reminding them that feedback, when used constructively, is a path to professional and personal development.
Students and laoshimen participated in active discussions throughout the workshop
Onto the next presenter, Shu Ting laoshi captivated the audience with her talk on the importance of adapting one’s mindset to thrive in diverse workplace cultures. She emphasized that every workplace has its own unique values and expectations, and that success often hinges on the ability to adapt. Through her reflective approach, Shu Ting invited attendees to examine their own preferences and consider how a flexible mindset can enhance resilience and productivity. She introduced an interconnected framework of “conscience, competence, and sincerity,” inspiring participants to approach new environments with openness and adaptability.
Students and laoshimen participated in active discussions throughout the workshop
Chiayin Yu’s presentation on “New Jobs and New Cultures: Challenges, Adjustments, and Progress”
Jia Yin laoshi closed the series with candid insights into the journey of adapting to new roles in unfamiliar cultural settings. She shared her personal experiences of developing a career plan, strengthening communication skills, and managing stress amid change. Jia Yin described progress as a cycle of feedback, adjustment, and growth, emphasizing that while advancement may not always be linear, each step is essential. Her story motivated attendees to embrace both the challenges and the triumphs of adapting to a new job, seeing each step as part of a rewarding journey toward success.
Students listening tentatively to the presentations
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged deeply with the themes discussed and reflected on how they could apply these insights in their own professional lives. For many, the evening underscored the value of a strong team spirit and adaptability as the foundation of a successful workplace.
Steven Xiang, a third-year International Relations major
Steven Xiang, third-year International Relations major, shared his reflections on the workshop, underscoring the lasting impact it had on him. Steven shared, “Today’s workshop was outstanding in so many ways, especially with the creative team-building exercises like the Chinese Telephone game. These activities weren’t just fun—they were designed to help us connect in a way that’s often missing in a typical work environment.” For Steven, the games were more than an icebreaker; they helped him overcome a personal challenge of remembering colleagues’ names and faces, something he previously struggled with. “Through this team-building game, I finally started recognizing people and attaching names to them,” he explained. “It may seem small, but knowing your colleagues’ names is crucial to working efficiently within the CLP. When you know people, it breaks down barriers and makes teamwork feel more natural and productive.”
Steven’s main takeaway from the workshop was the importance of fostering connections and the confidence that familiarity with colleagues can bring. “Team-building is so often underestimated, but it’s critical for creating a harmonious and supportive work culture. CLP has done an incredible job at making that a priority,” he said. Steven left the workshop with a renewed sense of connection to his fellow CLP members and a deeper understanding of how these connections enrich the work they do together. This experience has given him new confidence in approaching discussions, giving and receiving feedback, and collaborating more openly with his peers.
The reflections from participants highlighted the profound impact of the workshop, showcasing how it fostered personal growth and practical learning. One participant shared, “I learned the value of staying curious and embracing new possibilities, both in career development and in responding to feedback constructively.” This feeling was echoed by another TAWL attendee who noted how the workshop reshaped their approach to seeking help: “Before the workshop today, I felt nervous about asking questions to my peers and professors. Now I understand the importance of asking for help, and I no longer feel anxious or ashamed about it.”
For many, the workshop also provided a transformative perspective on handling feedback. One participant reflected, “I frequently criticized and blamed myself before when receiving feedback, thinking I wasn’t doing well and disappointing others. Through this meeting, I learned how to cope with negative emotions in the workplace and take challenges as steps to move forward in my career.”
Group photo, thank you for an amazing night!
As this workshop came to a close, we experienced CLP’s dedication to building a supportive and connected community is not only impactful but also essential to fostering a collaborative and thriving workplace. Through engaging activities, meaningful discussions, and shared experiences, participants walked away with practical insights and strengthened connections that will enhance their approach to teamwork in future projects. For many, this evening highlighted the importance of a strong team spirit, which serves as the foundation of any successful and harmonious workplace.
We extend a huge thank you to all who attended and contributed to making the event a success! Stay tuned to the CLP website and follow us on social media @UBCChinese for updates on future workshops that continue to inspire growth, connection, and a shared commitment to building an empowering community at CLP.
Written by Angelia Tu
Photos by Isidora Bašanović