Boost Creativity and Team Spirit: The Secret of the Blockie Walk

Company founder Glenn Nicholas started them years ago, and they’ve become part of our workplace. The Blockie.

Someone stands up from their desk and says, “Anyone for a Blockie”? Depending on the day, some or all of us head out the door to walk through the leafy streets of Shenton Park.

Initially, the Blockie may have been about workplace health and wellbeing. Remember the 10,000 steps a day that many of us were chasing? Then there was the news that prolonged time at your desk was the ‘new smoking’.

Blockies are much more than exercise. We’re out in nature, taking in the gardens and trees and feeling the sun on our faces.

As we walk, we might chat about work. Problems are shared, and ideas are exchanged. (Stanford research confirms that people think more creatively when moving.) We stumbled across that early.

But it’s not just about work. We hear about gardening projects or what someone cooked for dinner. There are jokes about the footie thrown in with Netflix recommendations. Effortlessly, Blockies became a way to connect as more than workmates.

Over time, we named several variations. The Blockie takes in a single block. The Lakey is a stroll around Lake Jualbup. A Shoppie includes a trip to the village to buy lunch. A Southie takes in the blocks to the south of Onslow Road.

Sometimes, people are surprised that Blockies are so encouraged in our workplace. Isn’t it time-wasting? On the contrary, we notice how energised we are after a Blockie – more motivated and efficient. Is it the air or the company?

Speaking of air, Blockies are good for clearing it. A few of us might suggest a Blockie when there’s a bit of tension building up. A Double Blockie is usually enough to sort out most things. Dissolving misunderstandings as soon as they happen is refreshing and efficient.

Blockies are now part of our work culture. Everyone owns them, and everyone enjoys them. Getting up from your desk and going for a walk is understood and encouraged, making it much easier to stay active at work.

So next time you drive down Onslow Road and spot a group of us, you’ll know what we are doing. That’s the Tectalic crew taking a Blockie. You’re welcome to join us.