I wanted a team building activity that would really engage my employees — something VERY different than we’d ever done. I searched the internet for something that would catch my attention. That’s when I found your website, read about Be Legendary and the bikes, and (honestly tearing up a bit) decided this was the route I wanted to take.
We split everyone into groups, and we took one person from each team outside to meet the children who would soon receive their first-ever bicycle. You could see the puzzlement turn into wonderment. The other 150 employees built the 15 bikes, and when the kids came running in to find them, everyone was clapping and cheering.
The instant tears and smiles were PRICELESS. Seasoned employees told me it was the best team building activity ever. Grown men in tears, hugging the children, hugging me, hugging each other — more than I ever bargained for. My goals were reached and exceeded.
The meeting planners said it better than we ever could.
These are the people who booked the program, briefed their teams, and then watched grown men wipe away tears as children walked in. In their words — lightly trimmed, never embellished.
When the bikes were the ‘product’
In the last two hours we broke into 13 groups and told the teams they’d be building our latest new product. As it turned out, the ‘product’ was 13 mountain-style bicycles — and their ‘customers’ were 13 underprivileged children from a local charter school who had never owned bikes. Only three of us knew the bikes were going to be donated.
We had even the most stoic of our employees choked up and jumping in to meet the kids and make sure their ‘products’ were of the highest quality. It was THE BEST EVENT I have ever seen. A great opener that helped break down barriers for learning and personal growth.
I had 25-year veterans tell me it was the best sales meeting they had ever been to. Some of these guys are usually pretty cynical — but not after this. Many were wiping away tears, and then stayed engaged for the rest of the week.
“I ain’t never had no lucky days. Today is my first lucky day.”
A nine-year-old girl said this to the CEO of DaVita during the event. That night, at the black-tie dinner, he read her words to all 2,200 people — and choked up. Everyone stood and clapped, and many cried along with him.
What teammates wrote on the spot.
A selection of the written comments from DaVita’s National Meeting evaluation forms — where the bike build scored 4.88 / 5 for “good use of my time.” Unedited, only lightly de-duplicated.
From planners, facilitators & leaders
“I just finished reading the evaluation comments on the bicycle exercise and they are amazing. It was absolutely amazing to see 375 children all receiving new bikes.”
“James Carter has a great way of capturing your attention with his thought-provoking activities and messages. You walk away feeling inspired to grow yourself, help others, and, as James would say, ‘Be Legendary.’”
“A very creative, talented and trustworthy man. He combines a highly regarded training company with a social conscience and a sincere desire to help others. I strongly recommend him to anyone seeking an original, innovative approach.”
“The session received rave reviews. Thanks so much for making my job a breeze and a session the attendees enjoyed. Please pass on the great news to your team — hope to work together again soon.”
“We had 35 people and broke them into two groups for our China Syndrome session. There was a great deal of learning, and it was an excellent way to break up their strategy session. One gentleman was still talking about it the next day.”
“Oh my goodness! In my work-life, nothing I have attended compared to today. Thank you for allowing the DRS team to be part of such a meaningful and memorable session.”
“Our team building day went extremely well. We used the Team Shackles and Chain of Command exercises. The group had a great time and learned helpful insights about how they work and communicate with others.”
“The tools, facilitator guide and support materials are fantastic — self-explanatory and easy to follow. The activities facilitate the group’s discussion without prompts, unearthing the behaviours that play out in day-to-day team interactions.”
Your team could be the next story.
Tell us about your meeting and your people. We’ll design an event they — and a community of kids — will never forget.