I was told by my company HR to take part in a rangoli competition for a Fun Friday event. Yes, you heard it right. When I politely declined, the HR lady was adamant. She said it will help with team building seeing someone like me, who the team looks up to, taking part in such activities. I told her in a very calm and assertive tone that team building activities work when the whole team participates. And for the whole team to participate, they need to be part of the decision making process. Forcing people to do something will always have a negetive effect. I also told her that asking what the team wants to do as a Fun Friday activity would not just help get maximum participation, but can go a long way in making them feel like their voices are being heard and respected.

Why the hell would I give a damn about taking part in some rangoli competition? Never even touched rangoli powder in my life. How the hell did she even come up with that idea? There were zero inputs taken from my team. I go to office to work and earn money. My idea of fun is not the same as what these HRs think it to be. Why the hell do these HRs act like they know everything sometimes? No offence to any HR reading this post, but sorry. I understand her intentions, but this is not how things work. Did any of you people have such problems about participation? How did you deal with it?