The big book of team coaching games : quick, effective activities to energize, motivate, and guide...
Transcript of The big book of team coaching games : quick, effective activities to energize, motivate, and guide...
Copyrightcopy2013byMaryScannellMikeMulvihillandJoanneSchlosserAllrightsreservedExceptaspermittedundertheUnitedStatesCopyrightActof1976nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedordistributedinanyformorbyanymeansorstoredinadatabaseorretrievalsystemwithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisherISBN978-0-07-181301-3
MHID0-07-181301-2ThematerialinthiseBookalsoappearsintheprintversionofthistitleISBN
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TERMSOFUSE
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Contents
Acknowledgments
1WhatIsTeamCoaching
2TheBenefitsofUsingTeamCoachingGames
3MeetingthePlayersAccentsAreFunAnimalMagnetismKnowThyselfLifeMapSilentInterviewTheWeatherIshellipThumbBallWhereMyStrengthComesFromWorkStyles
4BuildingaPositiveTeamCultureBlindfoldTrustWalkDebateVersusDialogueFeetzaFeetzaFunnyFaceGrumbleWhineandComplainMrandMrsWrightOurTeamStandingsPushUFOBallWhatrsquosintheBoxYesButhellip
5CreatingaVisionBridgestoSuccess
ldquoComingSoonrdquoMoviePostersGetItontheTableInOrderMindtheGapTeamPictureNametheOracleWhatDoWeWantYes
6ShapingthePlanMarshmallowChallengePasstheBuckPictureThisSpeedSortTallestTowerWherersquostheControl
7ExecutingtheGamePlanAllforOneBrokenSquaresGoLemonstoLemonadeRedorBlackStickingtotheGoalWhatGetsintheWayWhoMe
8StayingMotivatedandEnergizedAlphabetSpaceTraceBalloonShuffleGravityStickPipelinetoSuccessTeamStoryTimeLine
Transport
9CelebratingSuccessARealKnee-SlapperCountonMeKudostoYouWeRock
10TransformingtheTeamSix-CountSequenceBlindfoldMazeCrossingConcentricCoachingFeedforwardforSuccessGridWalkWhatrsquosontheInside
Sources
AcknowledgmentsThankyoutoalltheteamswehavehadthepleasureofworkingwithovertheyearsandtoalltheleaderscoachesandmentorswhocarryonthegoodworkofhelpingindividualsandteamsbecomethebesttheycanbeThisbookisdedicatedtoyouWewouldliketothankCasieVogelandDonyaDickersonoureditorsat
McGraw-HillforinvitingusonceagaintocontributetotheBigBookseriesWearegratefulforyoursupportandconfidenceinusThanksalsotoMoeDennehyatMcGraw-HillforherdedicationtotheBigBookseriesToLauraYiehourmarketingwizardatMcGraw-HillthankyouforyourworkinpromotingthebookAspecialthankstoeveryoneinvolvedintheproductionofthisbook
includingMaureenHarperatMcGraw-HillandtheincomparableRenaCoppermanandherteamRenaithasbeenajoyworkingwithyouandcopyeditorextraordinaireCarolynWendtonceagainWearegratefultoyouforyourhardworkexpertiseandfriendshipItrsquosbeenapleasureworkingwithallofyouOnapersonalnotethankyoutoMikeandJoannemdashtwogiftedcoachesIam
luckytocallfriendsIwouldliketothankmydadEdforshowingmewhatittrulylooksliketopayitforwardandmymomAliceforshowingmehowtoapproachanyjobwithenergyandenthusiasmThankyoutoCathieforteachingmetolivecourageouslyAndtoKarenthankyouforsharingyourbeautifulspiritAspecialthankstoCoachldquoIronMikerdquoScannellwhoisoneofthegreatestcoachesIknowYouexemplifywhatitmeanstobeacoachinyourattitudeandyouractionsandyoumakeadifferenceeverydaytosomanyofus
mdashMaryScannell
AbigldquoHuzzahrdquotomycoauthorsMaryScannellandJoanneSchlosserforthehardworkexpertiseandspiritoffuntheybroughttothemakingofthisbookIthasbeenawonderfulprivilegeworkingwithyoubothIwouldliketothankmyfamilyfortheirloveandencouragementnotonly
duringthewritingofthisbookbutthroughoutmylifeIwouldalsoliketoofferaspecialthankstomywifeChrissyforherloveandsupportandforthemanywayssheinspiresmeandsomanyothersasacoachfriendandteacher
mdashMikeMulvihill
ThankyoutomyfamilyandespeciallytoRickforhisloveandsupportThankyoutoMaryandMikeforinvitingmetocollaborateThankyoutoallthegreatcoachesandyogateacherswhorsquoveeducatedandencouragedmetobemy
greatcoachesandyogateacherswhorsquoveeducatedandencouragedmetobemybestselfandtohelpothersreachtheirfullpotentialThankyoutomywonderfulclientswhoteachandstretchmeasweworktogethertoachieveamazingoutcomes
mdashJoanneSchlosser
1
WhatIsTeamCoaching
Coachingworksandbecauseitworkswewillcontinuetoseeitgrowandevolveformanyyearstocome
mdashRichFettke
TeamCoachingGamesThisbookismeanttobearesourceforacoachorfacilitatorTheseteamcoachinggamescanbeplayedtohelpbuildteamcohesivenessbreaktheiceandpreparetheteamtomoveforwardtogetherTheteamcoachinggamesinthisbookprovideideasandactivitiesyoucanincorporateintoyourteamcoachingeffortsTheyrangefromverbalactivitiestophysicalactivitiesandcantakeanywherefromafewminutestoanhourorlongerEachgamecomeswithcompleteinstructionsincludinghowmanypeoplecanparticipateandanysuppliesyouwillneedoradvancepreparationsyouwillwanttomakeAsthecoachpleasereviewtheObjectivesandSettingtheContextsectionsofeachgametodeterminewhichgameswillbestservethespecificobjectiveyouwishtoaccomplishTeamsthathavefuntogetherarebetterabletoretainthelearningbreakdown
barriersandbuildstrongerrelationshipsThediscussionquestionsareusefulinguidingtheconversationtodebrieftheactivitytoverbalizethelessonslearnedandwhereappropriatetodiscusshowtotakethelearningbacktoworktohelptheteammoveforward
WhoIsThisBookForThisisnotahow-tomanualforbecomingacoachThisbookisdesignedfor
peoplewhoarealreadyexperiencedcoacheswhohavesomeexperienceinteamcoachingorareteamorgroupfacilitatorsandwhoarecomfortableintheroleThecoachcanbeaninternalresourcefortheorganizationoranexternal
resourceTherearemanyorganizationsworldwidethatcertifycoachesTheInternationalCoachFederation(wwwcoachfederationorg)isthebestknownwithover21000membersin110countriesworldwideAcertifiedcoachhastraininginbasiccoachingskillsandhasmetsomespecificcriteriatoserveasacoach
ThethreelevelsofcertificationrecognizedbytheInternationalCoachFederationare
bullAssociateCertifiedCoach(ACC)whichrequiresaminimumof60hoursofcoachingeducationandaminimumof100hoursofcoachingexperiencebullProfessionalCertifiedCoach(PCC)whichrequiresaminimumof125hoursofcoachingeducationandaminimumof750hoursofcoachingexperiencebullMasterCertifiedCoach(MCC)whichrequiresaminimumof200hoursofcoachingeducationandaminimumof2500hoursofcoachingexperience
experience
EachoftheabovecredentialshasadditionalrequirementsNotallcoacheshavefacilitationskillstrainingorworkwithteamsNotall
facilitatorsaretrainedcoachesIdeallythepersonleadingtheseteamcoachinggamesisacoachwhoisskilledatcoachingandfacilitatingteams
OurDefinitionofTeamCoachingTeamcoachingisameanstoacceleratetheteamdevelopmentprocessTeamcoachingmeansworkingwithanintactteamtodevelopandoracceleratetheabilityoftheteamtoworktogethertoachieveresultsThecoachalsousuallyprovidesone-on-onecoachingtotheteamleadertohelptheleaderachievethedesiredresultsinthemosteffectivewayThegoalistoimprovethequalityofcommunicationandrelationshipswhilecreatingaclearvisionofthefuturesotheteamcanmovetogetherinthedesireddirectiontoaccomplishtheirtask(s)Usingaformalprocessforteamcoachingacceleratestheresultsateammight
achieveandworkstoholdtheteammembersaccountablefortheirresultsandtheircommitmentstooneanotherTeamcoachingenablesideasandimprovementstowardteamgoalstobeworkedonandsharedinrealtimebecauselearningactionandcooperationareintegratedintotheteamjourneyandoutcomes
OurDefinitionofTeamBuildingTeambuildingreferstothevariousactivitiesundertakentobuildrapport
amongtheteammembersandincreasetheoverallperformanceoftheteamYoucanrsquotexpectthatteammemberswillperformontheirowntheyneedcommunicationtrustandavisionofwheretheyaregoingTeam-buildingactivitiesconsistofvarioustasksandgamesthatwillworktostrengthenthebondamongtheteammemberstowardoneanotherandtowardtheachievementoftheirobjectiveTeambuildingisanelementofteamcoachingTeamcoachingprovidesmore
ofabigpictureapproachandincorporateselementsofteambuildingcoachingandfacilitationtoensuretheteamreachesitsgoalsFigure1showshowthecomponentsintersectandinterrelateFormoreinformationonthestagesofteamandgroupdevelopmentlookatChapter3Understandingthesewillenableteammemberstorecognizetheircurrentstageandhelpthemprogresstothenextstagemorereadily
Figure1TeamCoachingModelcopy2013SchlosserScannellMulvihill
OurDefinitionofCoachingCoachingisafocusedtransformationalprocessthatsupportsself-discovery
changeandactionItisanempoweringwayofrelatingtoothersthatallowsthemtofindtheanswersforthemselvesCoachingcanbeprovidedtoanindividualteamorgroup
OurDefinitionofFacilitationFacilitationisprovidedbyoneormoreindividualswhocanremainneutral
whileworkingtokeepanagendaontrackinordertoensurethatallvoicesatameetingareheardtobringforthnewideasandortomoveactionsforwardTeamsoftenbenefitfromtheskillsofaformallytrainedfacilitatorforthisreasonAlternativelydifferentteammembersmaytaketurnsfacilitatingtoensurethateveryonehasachancetoparticipatefullywhennotservingasfacilitatorFacilitationmaybeaonetimeeventbutismosteffectiveoveraperiodoftimeThesamefacilitatorfromwithinoroutsidetheorganizationmayworkwithateamorgroupovertimetofocusthegrouponidentifyingand
mayworkwithateamorgroupovertimetofocusthegrouponidentifyingandachievingresultsFacilitatorsareoftenusedforimportantbusinessmeetingsstrategicplanningsessionsandretreats
SkillsforEffectiveCoachingTheInternationalCoachFederation(ICF)hasaterrificlistoftheelevencoachingcompetenciestheybelieveeverycoachshouldpossessHerewearechoosingtohighlightjusttwoofthemInordertobecomeacertifiedcoachthroughtheICFyoumustattendaqualifiedcoachingschooltolearnthesecompetenciesandthenpassatestdemonstratingyourskillsActivelisteningandpowerfulquestioningaretwoessentialqualitiesofeffectivecoachesandleaderswhowanttooperateinamorecoach-likewaytoinspireandencouragetheirteamtoachievetheirbestefforts
ActiveListeningPeoplemaythinkthatpowerfulcoachingfocusesonspeakingandproviding
adviceorsolutionsbutitactuallystartswithdeeplisteningSuccessfulcoacheshaveawayoflisteningthatwecallcommittedlisteningItstartswithlisteningfromacommitmenttoldquogivepeoplethegiftofyourpresencerdquomdashhigh-qualitytimeandattentionItinvolveslisteningfromacommitmenttobringoutthebestinthepersonbeingcoachedThisnewwayoflisteningisnottransactionalinnaturegivingadviceortipsorusingspecifictechniquesItembracesbutgoesbeyondallthisandistransformationalwithrespecttothepersonbeingengagedwithCommittedlisteningmeanslisteningfromacommitmenttothegreatness(highestandbestself)ofthepersonbeingcoached(thecoachee)evenwhenthatpersonisnotathisorherbestItinvolveslisteningtounderstandwhatpeoplepassionatelycareaboutand
howthatlinksintotheextraordinaryfuturetheywanttocreateforthemselvesandtheirteamsCoachingcreatesasafespaceforthepersonorteambeingcoachedtosharedeeplyandfullywhenothersarewillingtolistendeeplywithencouragementandwithoutjudgmentSeveraloftheskillsICFlistsforactivelistening(httpwwwcoach
federationorgicfcredentialscore-competencies)include
bullHearstheclientrsquosconcernsgoalsvaluesandbeliefsaboutwhatisandisnotpossiblebullDistinguishesbetweenthewordsthetoneofvoiceandthebodylanguagebullSummarizesparaphrasesreiteratesandmirrorsbackwhatclienthassaidtoensureclarityandunderstandingbullEncouragesacceptsexploresandreinforcestheclientrsquosexpressionof
bullEncouragesacceptsexploresandreinforcestheclientrsquosexpressionoffeelingsperceptionsconcernsbeliefssuggestionsandsoonbullldquoBottom-linesrdquoorunderstandstheessenceoftheclientrsquoscommunicationandhelpstheclientgetthereratherthanengaginginlongdescriptivestories
PowerfulQuestioningMymostimpactfulconversationswhethercoachingornotareinthefirstfiveminutesorlesswhenyoushowupwithpresenceandenergyandpowerfulquestionsthatshapetheconversationintoadeeperplaceIaskmyselfhowIcancreatetherelationshipwithessenceandenergytohelptheotherpersonrevealmoreThequestionsneedtohavemeaningandcontextwhichcomesthroughlisteningandsincereconnectionmdashSandyScottcertifiedcoachTherearemanytypesofquestionsLeading
questionsgivetheillusionthattheotherpersonissolvingtheproblemwheninrealityyouareguidingthatpersontoadefinitiveanswerClosedquestions
requirelimitedchoicessuchasldquoyesrdquoorldquonordquoandshouldbeusedinfrequentlyCoachingdemandstheuseofpowerfulquestioning
TheICFdefinitionofpowerfulquestioningistheldquoabilitytoaskquestionsthatrevealtheinformationneededformaximumbenefittothecoachingrelationshipandtheclientrdquoSomeofthekeyskillsICFnotesforpowerfulquestioninginclude
bullAsksquestionsthatreflectactivelisteningandanunderstandingoftheclientrsquosperspectivebullAsksquestionsthatevokediscoveryinsightcommitmentoraction(egthosethatchallengetheclientrsquosassumptions)bullAsksopen-endedquestionsthatcreategreaterclaritypossibilityornewlearningbullAsksquestionsthatmovetheclienttowardswhattheydesirenotquestionsthataskfortheclienttojustifyorlookbackwards
PreparingtoBeaTeamCoachmdashSetYourselfUpforSuccessAsateamcoachyourjobistoworkwiththeteamleaderandtheteamtohelpthemachievetheirgoalThesegamesprovideyouwithafunwaytoengagetheteamineverythingfromicebreakersandrelationship-buildinggamestogamesthatspurtheircreativethinkingimprovetheirprocessesandincreasetheirabilitytoholdthemselvesaccountableYourmissionshouldyouchoosetoacceptitisto
findtherightgamesandsequencethemtoachievethedesiredresultsofthatteamYouarehelpingthemmoveforwardthroughthestagesofteamdevelopmentintoachievinganimportantgoalfortheirorganizationWewishyoumuchsuccessandfunonthejourney
2
TheBenefitsofUsingTeamCoachingGames
ThepathtogreatnessisalongwithothersmdashBaltasarGraciaacuten
PeopleworkmosteffectivelywheninteractingwithotherstheyknowandtrustTeamcoachinggameswhetherusedwithanintactworkteamaprojectteamoranentireorganizationenablepeopletobuildtrustandrapportwhichcanleadtobetteroutcomesTeamcoachinggamesareversatileandcanbeusedinavarietyofsituations
bullAsaquickicebreakertosetapositivetonebullAstheframeworkforaretreatbullAtthebeginningofameetingbullToillustrateimportantpointsbullTorevealareasofpotentialconcernbullToincreaseawarenessoftheteamrsquosstrengthsandopportunitiesbullTobeaspringboardforadeeperdiscussionbullToprovideametaphorortouchstonethattheteamcanreflectuponbullTocreateacommonlanguagebullToprovideasafeentrypointtocrucialconversations
IfyouthinkgamesareawasteoftimeweencourageyoutothinkdeeperreflectmoreandopenyourselftotheideathatgamesprovidemorethanmeetstheeyeBeopentothepossibilitythatgamescanachieveadeeperlevelofconnectionwithotherteammembersandwiththeworktobedonethanmeetingsalonecanaccomplish
TheBenefitsofGamesListedbelowarethebenefitsofgames
GamesAreFunWhenwearehavingfunwehavemoreenergyenergycontributesto
motivationandwithincreasedmotivationwearemoreproductivePlayinggamescanrevitalizeateamandbuildmorale
GamesAreSafeGamesprovideasafeenvironmentforindividualsandteamstolearnthrough
trialanderrorMistakesandfailureusuallyprovidevaluablelessonsOftentimesfailureleadstosomethingbettermdashfailureinspirescreativityandinnovationLeadershipmayencourageteamstotrynewthingshoweverifthosenewthingsresultinfailuretheremayberepercussionsInthecontextofgamesteammemberscanexploretakeriskstryoutnewskillsandmakemistakeswithoutthethreatofextremeconsequences
GamesRevealTeamDynamicsWhileplayinggamesthedynamicsoftheteamarerevealedThecoachand
theteamcanexaminethedynamicstoensurethattheyservetheteamandwillhelptheteamachievetheirgoalsTheteamisabletoconsideritsstrengthsandweaknessesThroughgamesteammemberscanobservehowtheynavigatechangehowtheyinteractunderstressandwhatrolestheytakeoninavarietyofsituationsThesedynamicsandmorecanbeobservedandprocessedinthesafeenvironmentofthegame
GamesBuildSelf-AwarenessandAwarenessofOthersJustasthedynamicsoftheteamcanbeexaminedsocantheindividualswho
makeuptheteamThroughgamesteammembersaregiventheopportunitytotrynewrolesandtobecomeawareoftheirfunctionontheteamandhowtheycontributetotheteamunitGamesalsoprovideanopportunitytoseeteammembersinanewlightHiddenskillsareuncoveredandpersonalitiesshinewhichcanopenupexcitingnewpossibilitiesThediscussionallowstimeforreflectionHereteammemberscanbuildawarenessbyexaminingtheirownperformanceandcontributionsThediscussionisalsoatimeforteammemberstorecognizethecontributionsofothersThecoachcanprovideteamandindividualanalysistobuildmoreself-awarenessontheteam
GamesBuildTrustThefirststepinbuildingtrustiscreatinganenvironmentwhereteam
memberscanbegintobuildadeeperlevelofconnectionandcomfortwithoneanotherGamesacceleratethisprocessTherightgamescreateopportunitiesfordeeperlevelsofself-disclosurewhichincreasesvulnerabilityawillingnesstobevulnerablelaysthegroundworkfortrust
GamesRemindTeamMembersoftheValueoftheTeam
ManyofthegamescontainacomponentofcompetitionversuscollaborationEventhewordgameincitesthecompetitivespiritWhentransferredtotheworkplacecompetitionleadstodistrustandunwillingnesstoshareinformationThroughplayinggamesteammembersbecomeawareofthevalueofteamworkTheygettoexperiencetheresultswhenacollaborativeapproachistaken
GamesProvideLearningOpportunitiesGamesareawonderfullearningtoolEachgameprovideslessonsskillsand
experiencesthatteammemberslearnbyplayingthegameBetterproblemsolvingimproveddecisionmakingclearercommunicationandmoreeffectiveinterpersonalinteractionsareexamplesofskillstheteamlearnsandpracticeswhileengagedinthegame
GamesFosterLong-TermRetentionBecauseoftheactive-learningnatureofgamesteamsnotonlylearnmorebut
theyretainthelessonlongerThehighlevelofengagementcarriesthroughtothepost-gamediscussionThedebriefingdiscussionsprovideawaytoconnectwhatteammemberslearnedandexperiencedtothewaytheygettheirworkdoneonatypicalday
GettingtheMostfromtheGamesinThisBookPickingtheRightGameUsingtherightgameattherighttimeiskeyBeforechoosingagameask
yourselfafewquestionssuchasldquoInwhatstageofgroupformationistheteamWhataresomeissuestheteamneedstoworkthroughWhataresomeskillstheyneedtopracticeorimproveWhatwouldstretchtheteaminnewwaysrdquoOnceyouhaveanideaofthereasoningbehindusingagamewiththeteamtakealookatyouroptionsAtthestartofeachgameyouwillseeaWhentoUseThisGamerecommendationFromtheretakealookattheObjectivessectiontomakesurethegameisagoodfitfortheteamatthispointinitsdevelopmentAnotherareatoreadistheSettingtheContextsectionofthegameThesethreeareaswillgiveyouagoodideawhetherthegameisrightfortheteamandwhetherthetimingisrightTogetthemostfromthegamesusingthemintherightcontextattherighttimewillprovidethebestcoachingopportunitiesfortheteamOneadditionalplacetocheckisthetimerequirementTeamcoachinggamescancreateanenvironmentforgrowthwithintheteamwhenyouallowtimeforteammemberstoplaythegameaswellasplentyoftimetodiscusshowthegamerelatestothewaytheygettheirworkdoneasateam
PropsandPrepTwootherareastofocusonbeforeyoubeginaretheMaterialsand
PreparationsectionsMostofthesegamesrequiresimplepropsThePreparationsectionwillprovidetipsonhowyoucanpreparethesettingforthebestoutcomeYoumayfinditusefultokeepsomebasicpropsonhandPropsthatarefrequentlyusedinteamcoachinggamesincludeindexcardsstickynotesmarkersmaskingtapetennisballsropeflip-chartpaperandbandannasPropssuchasthesearealleasytocompileandaddanappealingfeaturetothegamesAfterpickingthebestgametousewiththeteamgetthehandoutsflipchartsandpropsreadyinadvancetosetyourselfandtheteamupforsuccess
DoThisFirstPriortocoachingtheteamthroughanyofthesegamesitrsquosagoodideato
conveythecontextfortheactivitymdashaframeworktohelptheteamseewherethegamefitsintotheirdevelopmentandprovidesvalueEngagetheteamprovidethebackgroundandshareanynecessaryrulesandguidelinesThenassignthemtheirtaskalongwithanytimeconstraintsAsteamcoachyouwillbeonhighalertthroughouttheactivitytakingnotesaskingquestionsandmonitoringprogressastheteamundertakestheirchallengeAftertheactivitytakeampletimeforreflectionanddebriefingasthisiswheretheteammakesconnectionstotherealworldYouorateamscribemaywanttodocumentkeyideasfromtheteamdiscussionfornextstepsandfollow-up
WhyDidWeDoThisWhatIstheMessageWhatDoesItMeanforUsGameswillremaingameswithoutaneffectivelyfacilitateddebriefing
discussionAnticipateprobableresultsandreactionsbutatthesametimebewillingtoallowteammemberstotakethegamewheretheytakeitTakenotesthroughouttheactivitytorefertoduringthedebriefingdiscussionInadditiontothediscussionquestionsprovidedwiththegamersquosinstructionsyoumaywanttocreateotherquestionsthataremoretailoredtosuittheteamorpurposeAskingtherightquestionswillfocustheteamrsquosattentiononthemeaningandpurposebehindthegameYouwillfindthatmanydiscussionsdeveloporganicallyafteryouprompttheteamwithoneortwowell-wordedquestionsEncourageteammemberstoberesponsibleforgeneratingmeaningfulconversationconsiderstartingtheteamdiscussionwithaldquopairandsharerdquowheretwopeoplediscusstheirexperienceandwhatapplicationsithadforthemDonrsquotbetooquicktoinsertyourownopinionsandobservationsKeepthediscussionflowingbutalsogetcomfortablewithpausesasteammembersformulatetheirideasandconclusions
conclusions
WhatIstheConnectionAlloftheteamcoachinggamesinthisbookareintentionallybroadinnature
soyoucanusethemwithanyteaminanytypeoforganizationwithinanyindustryThecoachingyouprovidethroughoutthegamethequestionsyouaskandyourdebriefingdiscussioncanallbetailoredtomeetyourobjectivesandtheneedsoftheteamAstheteamcoachitrsquosimportantthatyouallowteammemberstoreflectonwhathappenedinthegameandthesignificanceofwhattheyexperiencedHowdidtheexperiencerelatetothemtheirteamdynamicsandtheirwork
TipsforUsingTeamCoachingGamesWhilemanyofthesegamescanbeplayedsittingorstandinginameetingsomeofthegamesaremorephysicalinnatureandrequiresomeimportantguidelinesFollowingthesecommonsensetipswillbuildtrustbetweenyouasthecoachandtheteamandalsoensurethatyourparticipantsfeelsupportedwhiletheyarestretchingtheircomfortzonesFollowtheldquochallengebychoicerdquorulecommonlyusedinexperiential
activitiesChallengebychoicemeanseveryindividualhasthechoicetoparticipateatwhateverlevelheorshefeelscomfortableAscoachbesuretoencourageteammemberstostepoutoftheircomfortzoneandchallengethemselvesSetgroundrulesTheseshouldbediscussedandagreeduponbyall
participantsExamplesofgroundrulesincludelistenwhenothersarespeakingaskquestionsdemonstratesupportforothersastheystretchtheircomfortzonesdonrsquotinterruptshowrespectforthevaluesofothersandsoonHandleanypotentialsafetyissuesWhenusingactivitiesthatrequire
additionalequipmentpleasemakesurethattheequipmentisingoodconditionandishandledproperlyandthatindividualshavethepropertrainingandsupervisionnecessarytoperformtheactivitysafelyTomakeactivitiesmorechallenging(particularlyifyouhavegroupmembers
whohavedoneanactivitybefore)considerinstitutingadditionalconsequencesorobstaclessuchasblindfoldingnotalkingandmobilityrestrictionsIfyouchoosetoprovideadditionalchallengesfortheteamsuchasblindfoldingoneteammembermakesurethattheindividualiscomfortableandwillingtogothisextrastepNothingshouldbedoneatanytimetointentionallyplacesomeoneinapositiontheydonotwanttobeinBeawareofruleviolationsYoucanstrictlyenforcethemorwaittoseeifthe
groupregulatesitselfDetailslikethesecanleadtorobustdiscussionsaround
groupregulatesitselfDetailslikethesecanleadtorobustdiscussionsaroundethicsvaluesandcreativityProvideclearinstructionsbutdonotgetcaughtupinprovidingtoomuch
informationAnswerquestionsandprovideadditionalinformationwhenaskedbythegroupSomegamesrelyonvagueinstructionstoallowtheteamtointerpretandactinanywaytheychooseUsegoodjudgmentItisimportanttoprovidethegroupwiththeproper
balanceofchallengeandsupportsothatteammembersstretchthemselvesandlearnbutyoudonrsquotwantthemtobecomeoverlyfrustratedandshutdown
TeamCoachingandtheStagesofGroupFormationTheFormingStageThisisthepolitegetacquaintedandldquogettoknoweachotherrdquostageThisis
whereteammembersbegintofigureoutwhorsquoswhoandwhereeveryonefitsintothepictureTypicallythistakesplaceattheopeningmeetingoranorientationsessionandcontinuesforawhileaspeoplegettoknowoneanotherAteamgoesthroughthestagesofteamformationagainwhenanewleaderjoinstheteamorseveralnewteammembersareaddedtoanexistingteamTogetaheadstartontheformingstageyoucanprovidetheteamwitheach
teammemberrsquosqualificationsandbackgroundinformationsoeveryonehasanunderstandingofwhytheindividualswerechosenfortheteamAlltheinformalgatheringsanddiscussionsinandaroundtheinitialmeeting
areincludedinthisstageofgroupformationfortheintactteamThegoalistocreateanenvironmentthatissafeandsecureBecausetheteamalsolooksforguidanceanddirectionintheformingstagetheleadermustensurethattheteamrsquospurposeisclearlycommunicatedandunderstoodbyallteammembersAtthisbeginningstageitrsquosessentialtogetbuy-infromalltheteammembersandcandidlyandhonestlyidentifytheprosandconsofteamworkandteambuildingThisstageiswheretheteambuildsitsfoundationsotimespentinthisstagewillpayofflater
FormingmaylastforashorttimeortakeseveralmonthsfortheteamtomovethroughAteamcoachcanassisttheteamleaderwiththemethodologiestoenhancesuccessForthereaderwhoisfamiliarwithSelfLeadershipandtheOneMinuteManagerIncreasingEffectivenessThroughSituationalSelfLeadershipweofferthesuggestionsofauthorsKenBlanchardSusanFowlerandLaurenceHawkinsastheytieeachphaseofsituationalleadershiptothestagesofgroupformationIntheformingstagetheroleoftheleaderandteamcoachistoprovidedirectionThegamesfoundinChapter3arehelpfulduringtheformingstage
TheStormingStageInthisstageinterpersonalissuesoftenariseThisstageistypicallywhere
conflictgetsintroducedintoapreviouslysafeandcomfortableenvironmentTheremaybefearanduncertaintyofchangeorofstatuslossaswellaslackoftrustwhenthemotivationsforothersrsquoactionsarenotunderstoodyetthereisnotenoughtrusttohaveopendialogueabouttheproblemTheseconflictsprovideteammemberswithopportunitiestolearnhowtointeracteffectivelywithoneanotherStormingtakesplacewhenthingsthatmaynothavematteredinthebeginningsuddenlyseemimportantandconflictensuesYoumayexperience
beginningsuddenlyseemimportantandconflictensuesYoumayexperiencethisstagestartingatweektwothreeorfourorevenlaterThiswilldependonthefrequencyofcommunicationwithintheteamandhowmuchtrustandcamaraderiewasdevelopedintheformingstageThisstagecanbeextremelyfrustratingSometeamsnevermakeitoutofthis
challengingstageWhileface-to-facecommunicationallowsforimmediatefeedbackandprovidesnonverbalcuestheteammaystrugglewiththisstageandbecomefrustratedbytheamountoftimeittakestoresolveconflictandlearnthebestwaystocommunicatewithotherteammembersTeammemberswilllooktotheleaderandcoachtosupportthemastheynavigatethroughthisstormystageManyissuescancauseseparationonateamToensurethatunforeseenissues
donrsquotarisetofracturetheteamdevelopprotocolsforusingvarioustypesoftechnologyforcommunicationalongwithtrainingtoensurethatallteammembersarecomfortableandwillingtousethebestcommunicationmethodforthesituationForexampletheuseofemailasasolecommunicationmethodhindersateamrsquosabilitytonavigatethroughconflictKnowwhentouseface-to-facemeetingsthephonewebcamsandsoontotalkthroughmorechallengingsituationstominimizemiscommunicationUsethegameGravityStick(page175)togivetheteamachancetopracticeconflictresolutionandalsotoopenthedoortoateamdiscussionaboutconflictItiscriticalthattheseconcernsbedealtwithhonestlyWheninterpersonalconflictsanddissonancearehandledatthisearlystagetheteamhasabetterchanceofsuccessOnceagainleadershipwillbenecessarytonavigatethroughthestorming
stagesotheleaderorteamcoachshouldfacilitategamesthathelptheteamtoworkthroughthenaturalstormingprocessTheleadershouldalsoleaddiscussionstoensuretheteamcanusetheappropriatetoolswheninteractingwitheachotherdaytodayInthestormingstagetheroleoftheleaderandteamcoachistoprovidesupportanddirectionandtoprovidereinforcementofideasskillsandaccountabilitycheck-instokeeptheteamfocusedandfutureoriented
TheNormingStageCooperationandtrustarenowbecomingtheldquonormrdquoforthisteamTeam
membersbegintobetterunderstandoneanotherrsquosdiversepersonalitiesandworkstylesenablingthemtoworktogethermoreeffectivelyTeammembersshouldalsohaveahandleonwhichcommunicationmethodsarepreferredandmostefficientwheninteractingwithotherteammembersGoodthingsarestartingtohappenandasaresulttheteamfeelsmore
confidentconnectedandcreativeInthenormingstagetheroleoftheleaderandteamcoachistoprovidesupportwhenteammemberstakeonnew
andteamcoachistoprovidesupportwhenteammemberstakeonnewchallengestoaskquestionstoopenupnewpossibilitiesandtocontinuetoholdteammembersaccountableforachievingresultsandworkingcollaborativelyManyofthegamesinthisbookaresuitableforteamsthathavereachedthis
stageandareopentosharinghonestlywithoneanotherinordertoenabletheteamtomovetowardreachingtheperformingstage
ThePerformingStageHeretheteamishighlyeffectiveTheteamhasmomentumandenergyand
ideallyallteammembersarewillingtocontributetheirbesteffortsTheperformingstageisthemostproductiveofallthestagesldquoPerformingrdquoindicatesthatteammembershaveaclearsharedsenseofpurposehightrustandopencommunicationTeamspiritishighrelationshipsareimprovedandthereisastrongfeelingofcamaraderieTasksareidentifiedandhandledefficientlybythemembersoftheteamIndividualsrespectthecontributionsofothersandtheteamiswellonitswaytomeetingandevensurpassingitsgoalsandobjectivesmdashallthewhilemaintainingasenseofunityandcohesionInadditionthestressinvolvedwithdeadlinestransitionsandchangescaninfluencethewayteammemberscommunicateIncorporatingagamesuchasGo(page149)orTeamStoryTimeLine(page183)canbebeneficialintheperformingstageTeammembershaveachancetocheckinwithoneanotherandbeheardbytheteamRememberthatconflictonateamisnormalandbynowyourteamshouldhavesomeexperiencewithandconfidenceinhandlingconflictAsleaderyoucanhelptomitigateanddirectthatconflictinapositiveandconstructivemannerRememberifeveryonealwaysagreesyoumaynotbehearinghonestinputandgreatideasmaybesquelchedIntheperformingstagetheroleoftheleaderandteamcoachistoaskquestionstoallowforreflectionandnewpossibilitiesandtoworkwiththeteamtosetnewandmorechallenginggoals
TheTransformingStageThetransformingstagebringsclosureTransformingoccurswhentheteamis
atsuchaneffectiveleveloffunctioningthatitcanredefineitssharedpurposeandrespondquicklytochangeTheleadershipwithintheteamissharedtrustishighandcommunicationisopenTheteamyouhaveinthisstageisafardifferentteamthantheoneyoustartedwithDevelopingasuccessfulteamtakestimepatienceandawillingnesstodevelopboththerelationshipsandprocessforsuccessfullyachievinggoalsTherelationshipsestablishedonasuccessfulteamarewellestablishedandmaycontinuelongaftertheteamdisbandsMake
sureyouallowtimeforclosureandreflectionAsaleaderoracoachbereadywithplentyofrecognitionappreciationandcelebrationGiveteammembersampletimetorecognizeandappreciateeachotheraswellastheirhard-earnedsuccessKudostoYou(page197)isanexcellentgameforteammemberstoprovidespecificrecognitiontoothers
WhattoExpectNormallyeachstageofteamdevelopmenttakesseveralmonthstomove
forwardTeamsthatinteractmorefrequentlyanddeliberatelywillmovemorequicklythroughthestagesConverselyteamsthatinteractinfrequentlyandlesspurposefullymaytakemuchlongertoprogressthroughthestagesAteamleaderwhounderstandsthestagescanhelpateamnavigatethestagesinahealthierandmoreproductivemannerGettingtotheperformingandtransformingstagescantakeaslongastwoyearsbasedontheresearchofBruceTuckmanfounderofthismodelofgroupformationUsinganexperiencedcapableteamcoachwithaspecificprocessandusing
theteamcoachinggamesinthisbookcanvastlyimpactthelearningandperformanceofteammemberstomovethroughthestagesandreachtheirstridemuchmorequickly
WhyDotheStagesMatterFirstitcanbehelpfultoknowthattherearestagesandthatitisnormalforall
teamstogothroughthesestagesSeconditenablestheleaderandteamcoachtoidentifythestageofdevelopmentforagivengrouporteamandassistthemovementthroughthatstagebymanagingthecommunicationvisioningandotherdynamicsamongteammembersIfthereislowtrusttheleaderandteamcoachcandeploytrust-buildingexercisesIftheteamisunclearornotinalignmentaboutitspurposetherearegamesandtechniquestofocusontohelpdeterminetheteamrsquoscollectiveprioritiesAssessingthestageateamisincanprovideinsightintowhichgamewillprovidetherightamountofchallengewhichgamewillallowforthegreatestgrowthopportunityandwhichgamewillhavethegreatestimpactontheteam
3
MeetingthePlayers
IndividuallyweareonedropTogetherweareanoceanmdashRyunosukeSatoro
AccentsAreFun
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asanicebreakerorldquogettoknowyoubetterrdquoactivity
OBJECTIVES
bullTogettoknowmoreaboutotherteammembersbullTohavefunwhilefocusingonteammembersrsquodiversebackgroundsorexperiences
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsNone
Time15to20minutes
SettingtheContextPeoplersquosaccentssoundinterestingwhentheyarefromldquosomeplaceelserdquo
PeoplersquosaccentssoundinterestingwhentheyarefromldquosomeplaceelserdquoTeamsoftenrepresentacrosssectionofpeoplewhowereraisedindifferentpartsoftheUnitedStatesandpossiblyfromallovertheworldAccentscanalsobeasourceoffrustrationaswedonrsquotalwaysunderstandwhattheotherpersonissayingAsweinteractwithothersitisimportanttofocusonthepositivesofourdiversityThisisafunactivitytogetpeopletorealizethatweallhaveuniquebackgroundsthatcontributetoouroverallsuccess
PreparationNoneProcedureTelltheteamthatinorderforteammemberstogettoknoweachotherabit
bettereachpersonwillshareafavoritestoryfromhisorherchildhoodTomakeitmoreinterestingeachpersonshoulduseanexaggeratedaccentordialectofthepeopleintheregionheorsheisfromorperhapsofanelderlyrelativewhoimmigratedfromanothercountryWhetherpeoplearefromNewEnglandtheSouthorldquoacrossthepondrdquotheregionalaccentsmakeusrealizetherichnessofourinterwoventeam
RulesbullEveryoneparticipatesbullIfpeoplesaytheyarenotgoodataccentsjustaskthemtogiveittheirbestshot
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdidyouenjoyaboutthisactivity2Howdoesthishelpincreaseawarenessoftherichdiversityofyourteam3Howcanyougiveyourworkalightfuncomponent
CoachNoteAsavariationespeciallyifmanyteammembersarefromthesameareayoumightchangetheactivitytoaskeachpersontoshareastoryofafavoritetraveldestinationorfavoritevacationspotandusetheaccentorkeywordsthatareusedinthatdestination
AnimalMagnetism
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asacheck-intooltoseehowpeoplearefeeling
OBJECTIVES
bullToseewhatemotionsareonorunderthesurfacebullTorecognizethatpeoplebringemotionsandfeelingstowork
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsPicturesofwildanddomesticanimals(2to3perperson)
Time5minutestosetupandabout2minutesperperson
SettingtheContextIntheworkplaceweoftenactasifemotionsandfeelingsdonrsquotexistThe
IntheworkplaceweoftenactasifemotionsandfeelingsdonrsquotexistThegoalofthisgameistobecomemorecomfortabletalkingabouttheseareasIfteammemberscanhonestlyexpresstheirpositiveandnegativeemotionsinasafewaytheyarebetterabletobondandsupportoneanother
PreparationArrangethepicturesonatable
ProcedureInviteindividualstocomeandchooseapicturethatdepictshowtheyare
currentlyfeeling
RulesbullChooseapicturethatbestdescribeshowyouarecurrentlyfeelingbullIfnoneofthepicturesfeelsrightyoucandrawapictureoruseyourphonetosearchtheInternetforanotherimage
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourteam2Howdoesitfeeltoshareatadeeperlevel3Whydoesitsometimesfeeltaboototalkaboutfeelingsandstressintheworkplace4Howcanyousupportoneanother
CoachNoteAftereachpersonsharesyoucoulddoasecondroundwhereindividualschoosetheanimaltheyfeellikewhentheyareattheirbestanddescribewhyAllowadditionaltime
KnowThyself
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toincreaseself-awarenessandhaveteammembersgettoknoweachotherbetter
OBJECTIVES
bullTodigdeeperintowhathelpsyoutobeyourbestbullToreflectanddeepenself-awareness
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsColoredconstructionpapercrayonsormarkersmusic
Time30to60minutesdependingongroupsize
SettingtheContextThisisagreatactivityforteammemberswhoarejustgettingtoknowone
anotheraswellasthosewhoalreadyknoweachotherwellItenablesadeeperconversationtooccuraboutwhatbringsoutthebestineachpersonaswellaswhatdoesnotandwhatstepspeoplecantakeasateamtoshowtheirbestselves
PreparationHavesuppliesavailableandtablespacetoworkat
ProcedureTelltheteamthatthisisanexercisetoreallygettoknowoneanotherbetter
andtodigdeeperintoself-awarenessAskthemtothinkaboutatimewhentheywereldquoattheirbestrdquoYoumightaskldquoWhatdidyoufeellikerdquoldquoWhatwereyoudoingrdquoldquoHowwereyouinteractingwithothersrdquoNowaskthemtothinkaboutatimewhentheywerenotldquoattheirbestrdquo
(CoachNoteDonotsayldquoWhenyouwereatyourworstrdquo)YoumightaskldquoWhatdidyoufeellikerdquoldquoWhatwereyoudoingrdquoldquoHowwereyouinteractingwithothersrdquoSayldquoNowthatyouhavebothofthoseimagesinyourmindIrsquodlikeyouto
selectapieceofconstructionpaperanduseonesidetodrawapictureofyourselfwhenyouareatyourbestandtheothersidetodrawarepresentationofwhenyouarenotatyourbestrdquoEncouragethemsayingthatartistictalentisnotasimportantashavingfunwiththisexerciseandsharinghonestlyStickfiguresarejustfineTellthemldquoYouwillhavefifteenminutesIwillletyouknowwhenyouhave
tenthenfiveminutesremainingYouwillbesharingthesepictureswiththeteamrdquoYoumaywanttoplaybackgroundmusicwhiletheteamworkstoenhancethe
creativeprocessWhiletheyareworkingwalkaroundtheroomandoffersupportandencouragementAttheappointedtimeseeiftheyarereadyTheymayneedafewmoreminutesOneatatimeuntileveryonehassharedaskforvolunteerstosharetheirpicturesanddescribethemselvesinthetwoscenarios
Rules
bullEveryonecreatestwopicturesonedepictingwhentheyareattheirbestandonedepictingwhentheyarenotattheirbestbullEveryonesharesbothpictures
bullEveryonesharesbothpictures
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourself2Whatdidyoulearnabouttheteam3Howcanyouhelpeachotherbeyourbestselvesmoreoften4WhatbarriersmightneedtoberemovedWhathabitscouldbechanged5Howdoyoucreateanenvironmentwhereyoucanaskforwhatyouneed
LifeMap
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Earlyinyourteamrsquosdevelopmenttobeginconnectingtheteammemberstooneanotheronadeeperlevel
OBJECTIVES
bullTobuildtrustbullTogainadeeperunderstandingofothersontheteam
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsPapercoloredmarkersandpens
Time30to40minutes
SettingtheContextDonrsquotbefooledbythisseeminglyinnocuousactivitymdashitcanbethecatalystto
developingagreaterleveloftrustwithintheteamTrustisdevelopedwhenindividualsopenupaboutthemselvesonapersonallevelThistakesa
individualsopenupaboutthemselvesonapersonallevelThistakesawillingnesstobevulnerablesoasteamcoachmakesureyouprovidetherightamountofsupportandencouragementduringthisactivity
PreparationNone
ProcedurePassoutonepieceofpapertoeachteammemberMakeseveraldifferent
coloredmarkersandpensavailableforthemtousefortheirdrawingsAskteammemberstodrawamapoftheirlifeincludingwhateverexperienceseventsplacesandpeoplecontributedtotheirlifestoryTellthemtheywillhaveexactlytenminutestocreatetheirlifemapAttheendoftenminutesgoaroundtheteamandinviteeachpersontosharetheirlifemapandthestorythatgoesalongwithit
CoachNotesThisactivityisquietandreflectiveyetcanbeverypowerfulWhengiventherightframeworkitallowspeopletoopenupandshareinawaytheymightnototherwisedoThisactivitytendstocreateawarmandacceptingatmosphereYouwillhearin-depthstoriesandsignificantlifeexperiencesAscoachbepreparedtoaskandencouragefollow-upquestionsInadditionbesuretoleadthecelebrationassignificantlifeeventsaresharedtofosterasupportivecelebratorycultureinyourteam
SilentInterview
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asteammembersaregettingtoknoweachother
OBJECTIVES
bullTobuildawarenessofnonverbalmessagesbullTogettoknowotherteammembersbetter
GroupSizeUpto20pairedupwithpartners
MaterialsNone
Time10to20minutes
SettingtheContextNonverbalcommunicationisalargecomponentofoureverydayinteractions
AneffectivecoachnotonlylistenstowhatissaidbutalsohasahighlevelofawarenessastowhatisbeingconveyedthroughbodylanguageThemoreweknowsomeoneelsetheeasieritistodeterminewhatthatpersonistellingusnonverballyAscoacheswewanttomakesureourinterpretationsareaccurate
nonverballyAscoacheswewanttomakesureourinterpretationsareaccurateandtobeabletocheckourinterpretationsinanonthreateningmannerUsingagamelikethisbuildsawarenessthatourinterpretationsmaynotalwaysbecorrectandthatweshouldcheckforaccuracyratherthanassumeunderstanding
PreparationNoneProcedureAsktheteamwhatnonverbalcommunicationconsistsofGainagreementthat
nonverbalcommunicationdoesnotinvolveanytalkingmouthingwordsorwhisperingTellteammembersthatthisshortactivityreliessolelyonnonverbalcommunicationandasktheirpermissiontoholdthemaccountabletothenonverbalstandardstheycameupwithOnceyouhaveagreementyouarereadytobeginthegame
ProcedurebullHaveteammembersformpartnershipswithotherswhotheydonrsquotknowverywellForwell-establishedteamswhoallknoweachotheraskteammemberstopartnerwiththepersontheyhavetheleastdailycontactwithbullAsktheparticipantstogreeteachotherwithahandshakebullInstructtheteamthatfromthispointforwardonlynonverbalcommunicationisallowedbullTelltheparticipantsthattheymustconveytotheirpartnerthreethingsaboutthemselveswithoutspeakingChallengethemtogobeyondphysicalcharacteristicssuchasbeingtallorshortwearingglassesorhavingabutterflytattoobullPartnerscanchecktheirunderstandingiftheychoosehoweverthismustbedonenonverballyaswellbullOnceallofthepartnershavefinishedldquotalkingrdquotoeachothergathereveryonebacktogetherbullAskeachpairtopresentthethreethingsthattheylearnedorthinktheylearnedabouteachotherbullAllowtimeforlaughterandclarification
DiscussionQuestions1Howaccuratewereyourinterpretationsoverall2Howmuchofyourdailyinteractionswitheachotherarenonverbal
Whataresomeexamples3Howcanyoucheckforunderstanding4Whataresomequestionsyoucanasktoclarifyunderstanding5WhenyournonverbalcommunicationissendinganegativemessageandimpactingteamperformancewouldyouliketobecoachedWhatisthebestwaytodothat
TheWeatherIshellip
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asaquickcheck-infortheteam
OBJECTIVES
bullTowarmtheteamuptosharingfeelingsbullToquicklycapturethemoodoftheteam
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsNoneorcanuseconstructionpaperandcoloredpensormarkers
Time10to25minutesdependingongroupsizeandvariation
SettingtheContextThisisaquicksafewayforpeopletoexpresshowtheyarefeeling
PreparationHavesuppliesonhandifyouwanttousethem
Havesuppliesonhandifyouwanttousethem
ProcedureIfyouwanttousethisasaquickcheck-inyoucouldsayldquoWersquoreallfamiliar
withthedailyweatherreportOutsidetodayrsquosweatherforecastishellip[sharelocalforecastorbestguess]rdquoSayldquoTakeaminutenowtoreflectonhowyouarefeelingHowpresentare
youHowisyourhealthWhatisyourcurrentenergylevelYouwillhavefifteensecondstostateyourcurrentstatuslikeaweatherreportForexamplelsquoIfeelpartlysunnybutseeafewcloudsonthehorizonrsquordquoGivethegroupaminutetoreflectonwhattheywanttosayAskforavolunteerthenproceedtohaveeveryoneshareIfthisprecedesachallengingconversationyoumaywishtocheckinaftertheconversationaswelltoseehowldquotheirweatherforecastrdquohaschanged
RulebullEveryoneshares
DiscussionQuestions1Howdiditfeeltoshareyourfeelingsorcurrentstatusinthisway2Howdoesyourpersonalweatherforecastimpactthosearoundyou3Whatcanhelpyouchangetheweatherforecast
VariationsIfyouwanttotapintoteammembersrsquocreativityaswellastheir
emotionalenergystateaskthemtodrawapictureofhowtheyarefeelingAllowfivetotenminutesfordrawingthenproceedtoshareasaboveYoumaychoosetopostthepictures
ThumbBall
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Anytimetohelpteammembersbuildandstrengthentheirworkingrelationshipswitheachother
OBJECTIVES
bullTodeveloptrustamongandlearnmoreaboutfellowteammembersbullTounderstandtheattitudesbackgroundsandbeliefsoffellowteammembers
GroupSize6to20
MaterialsPermanentmarkeronebeachballorlightweightsoccerballThumbBall
Questionshandout
Time10to15minutes
SettingtheContextTrustamonggroupmembersisessentialforahealthywell-functioningteam
Thisexercisegivesteammembersachancetobuildtrustastheysharesomepersonalfunfactscareer-relatedstoriesandbeliefsandattitudesaboutworkandleadership
PreparationUsingapermanentmarkerwritethenumbers1through32randomlyall
aroundthesurfaceofabeachballorsoccerballCopytheThumbBallQuestionshandout
ProcedureHavethegroupstandinacircleTellthemthattheywillbetossingtheThumb
BallfromonepersontothenextandthatteammemberswillansweraquestionwhentheballcomestothemSomeofthequestionswillbeworkrelatedwhileotherswillbefunfactsaboutthemthattheirteammatesmightnotknowUsesoftunderhandtossesforthisactivityTheteamcoachwillselectsomeoneacrossthecirclefromhimorherandtoss
thatpersontheThumbBallHeorsheshouldreadaloudthenumberlocated
thatpersontheThumbBallHeorsheshouldreadaloudthenumberlocatedunderhisorherrightthumbReadthecorrespondingquestionfromtheThumbBallQuestionshandoutIfthequestionhasalreadybeenaskedhavethepersonannouncethenumberunderhisorherleftthumbIfparticipantsdonotwishtoansweraquestiontheycanchoosetotosstheballupintheairandcatchitthemselvesinordertogetanotherquestionAfterapersonanswersaquestionheorsheshouldtosstheballtosomeone
newsothateveryonegetsachancetoplay
VariationsCreateyourownlistofThumbBallQuestionstomatchtheneedsofyour
groupIfteammembersarejustgettingtoknoweachotherincludequestionsthatarelightfunandeasytoanswerIfteammembershavelotsofexperiencetogetherincludequestionsthatprobeabitmoredeeplyintotheirattitudesaboutleadershipethicscareersuccessorotherrelevanttopics
HANDOUT
ThumbBallQuestions
1Whoisapersonyouadmire
2Whatisyouridealvacation
3Whatisaboardgameyouenjoy
4Whatisanonworkactivityyouenjoy
5Whomakesyoulaugh
6Whatisthemostrecentbookyoursquovereadorarecurrentlyreading
7Whatisafavoritetoyfromyourchildhood
8Whataretwoofficetoolsyoucanrsquotlivewithout
9Whatprojectareyoumostproudof
10Whatbusinessareyoualoyalcustomerof
11Whatisanimportantthingthathappenedrecentlyatwork
12Whathelpskeepyouorganized
13Whatisaneventyouwouldliketowitnessifyouhadatimemachine
14Whataretwovaluabletraitsinacoworker
15Whatadvicewouldyougivetosomeonestartinghisorhercareer
16Whatwasyourfirstjob
17Whataresomeprosandconsofbeingaleader
18Whatwasyoursmartestcareerdecision
19Whatisanunusualprofessionyouwouldbewillingtotry
20Whataretwopracticalskillsyoupossess
21HowdoestheInternetbestserveyou
22Whataretwowaystostaymotivatedorinspired
23Whatisanitemyounevertravelwithout
24Whatisthenameofyourfavoritepet
25Whatriskhaveyoutakenrecently
26Whatsportschampionshipdoyouenjoywatchingmost
27WhatTVshowmakesyoulaugh
28Ifyouweretowriteabookwhatwoulditbeabout
29WhatmovieorTVshowhasinspiredyou
30Whatissomethingyouconsideryourselfanauthorityon
31Whodoyouconsideragreatactororactress
32Whatisafavoritebookfromyourchildhood
WhereMyStrengthComesFrom
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Togettoknoweachotherbetter
OBJECTIVES
bullTolearnmoreabouteachotherbullTorespectthedifferencesbetweentheteammembers
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsOne piece of paper and one pen for each person (may need additional
paperandmarkers)personal items thatparticipantsprovideoneormorelargeboxesorpaperbagstostoreitems
Time30to45minutes
SettingtheContextEveryonedrawstheirstrengthfromsomewhereForPopeyeitwasacanof
EveryonedrawstheirstrengthfromsomewhereForPopeyeitwasacanofspinachforsomeitrsquosrunningforothersitmaybeplayingwiththeirchildrenThisactivityhelpstheteamlearnmoreaboutwhatitisthatrechargesandstrengthenstheemotionalandenergeticbatteriesoftheirpeersItrsquosafunwaytogettoknowmoreabouteachotherandperhapsfindsomecommonbonds
PreparationAskeachpersonaheadoftimetobringoneitemthatsymbolizessomething
thatcentersthemenergizesthemorbringsthemcomfortorstrength(HintAskthematleastaweekinadvanceandthenremindthemthedaybeforetheevent)TheyarenottosharewhatthisitemiswithanyoneelseinadvanceAspeoplearriveputtheitemsintoalargeboxorpaperbagsotheyremainhiddenfromviewLayoutpensandpiecesofpaperaroundthetablesleavingenoughspacetoaddoneitembyeachpieceofpaperHavethetablesspreadaroundtheroomifpossibletoencouragecirculationYoumaywanttoasksomeonetohelplayoutalloftheitems
ProcedureInviteeveryonetolookoveralloftheitemsandthentowritedownthename
ofthepersonwhotheythinkbroughttheitemonthepieceofpapernexttoitAllowabouttentofifteenminutesdependingonthenumberofpeopleanditemsEncouragethemtoguessmdashthereisnopenaltyforbeingwrongWheneveryonehaswrittendowntheirguessforeachiteminvitethegroupto
beseatedAskforvolunteerstocomeupandclaimtheiritemoneatatimeAskthemtosharewhytheychoseitandhowitrepresentswheretheirstrengthcomesfromorhowtheystaycenteredAftertheyshareaskthemtolookatthelistandseehowmanypeopleguessedcorrectlythatthiswastheiritemContinueuntileveryonehasshared
RulesbullEveryoneneedstobringanitemIftheydonothavethemdrawanitembeforetheactivitybeginsordownloadapicturefromtheInternetbullIftheyareunabletodoanyoftheabovejusthavethemshareattheendwhattheywouldhavechosenandwhyithasmeaning
DiscussionQuestions1Whatcommonthemesdidyounotice
2Whatsurprisedyou3Howcanyouhelpeachotherturntoyourstrengthsduringchallengingtimes
CoachNoteYoucouldchoosetoofferaprizeforthepersonwhowasguessedcorrectlymostoftenandorfortheone(s)guessedleastcorrectly
WorkStyles
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Earlyontoprovideinsightintothepreferencesandpersonalitiesofothersontheteam
OBJECTIVES
bullTodiscoverourownandothersrsquopreferredworkstylesbullToincreaseteammembersrsquoabilitytobeldquootherrdquofocused
GroupSizeUpto20splitintoteamsof4to5
MaterialsYellow Orange Blue and Green Game Cards cutouts Working
TogetherwithDifferentStyleshandoutpensorpencils
Time30to40minutes
SettingtheContextBuildingtrustrequiresawillingnesstobreakdownsomebarriersandlet
BuildingtrustrequiresawillingnesstobreakdownsomebarriersandletothersgettoknowusbetterourpersonalitiesourpreferencesourstrengthsandourweaknessesThisisahigh-energyandinteractiveapproachtoassessingthemembersoftheteamWhoaretheplayersAfterthisgameparticipantswillknoweachotherandmaybeeventhemselvesalittlebetter
PreparationCopyandcutoutthecardsprovidedmakingsuretocopyeachstyleonthe
cardstockindicatedoneachcardtemplateOnesetofcardswillsupplyenoughforateamofuptotwentypeople
ProcedureSplityourgroupintosmallteamsoffourtofivepeopleShuffleallthecards
sothereisamixtureofdifferentcolorstopassaroundSteponePassoutfivecards(facedown)toeachpersonWheneveryonehas
fivecardsinviteteammemberstoturnovertheircardsandputtheminorderfrommosttoleastdescriptiveoftheirpersonalityOncethecardsareorderedparticipantsexplaintotheirteamwhytheyputtheircardsintheordertheydidSteptwoNowtheycantradecardswithanyoneontheirsmallteamthegoal
istogetahandthatreflectstheirpersonalitymoreaccuratelyAfterthetradingaskeveryonetodiscardtwocardskeepingthethreecardsthatreflecttheirpersonalitymostaccuratelyStepthreeNextopenthetradingtotheentiregroupmdashagainthegoalisto
getthebest(mostaccurate)handStepfourAfterafewminutesofwhole-roomtradingallowtradingwithany
ofthediscardedcards(whichhavebeenplacedfaceupontablesaroundtheroom)StepfiveParticipantsendupwiththreecardseachHavethemonceagain
prioritizethecardsIftheyhavetwoorthreeofthesamecolorthenthatrsquostheirstyleIftheyhavethreedifferentcolorsthetopcoloredcardistheirstyleOnceeveryoneunderstandstheirfinalcolorhavethemgrouptogetherwith
othersofthesamecolorAftertheyaregroupedtogetherandstandingwithothersoftheirstyleandbeforesittingdowntoanswertheWorkingTogetherwithDifferentStyleshandouthavethemreadaloudthethreecardstheyendedupwithGiveeachofthefourwork-styleteamsahandoutandhaveparticipants
answerthequestionstogetherOncetheteamsarefinishedgatherforagroupdiscussion
DiscussionQuestions1Howdoesthisallowyoutobetterunderstandyourselfandothersontheteam2Inwhatwaysdoesthisbenefittheteam3Howcanteammemberscontinuetogainadeeperlevelofunderstandingofeachother4Whatimportantteamskillsareuncoveredwithanactivitysuchasthis5Howcanyoudeveloptheseskillsasyouworktogether
CUTOUT
YellowGameCards
(Copyonyellowcardstock)
CUTOUT
OrangeGameCards(Copyonorangecardstock)
CUTOUT
BlueGameCards
(Copyonbluecardstock)
CUTOUT
GreenGameCards
(Copyongreencardstock)
HANDOUT
WorkingTogetherwithDifferentStyles
PleasediscussthesequestionswithyourteamandcometoaconsensusSothatteammembersgroupedinotherstylesgetagoodworkingknowledgeofwhatyourstyleisallaboutprovideathoroughanswerforeachquestion
Atworkandbeingpartofateamhellip
bullWhoarewewhenwersquoreatourbest
bullWhatskillsandqualitiesdowebringtotheteam
bullHowdowetypicallyprefertogivefeedback
bullHowdoweprefertoreceivefeedback
bullHowtoweprefertoaccomplishtasks
bullHowdoweliketobeheldaccountable
bullHowdoweliketoberecognizedforajobwelldone
4
BuildingaPositiveTeamCulture
AplayerwhomakesateamgreatismorevaluablethanagreatplayermdashJohnWooden
BlindfoldTrustWalk
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenyourecognizethattheteamneedsadeeperleveloftrust
OBJECTIVES
bullTobuildtrustandsupportiverelationshipsamongteammembersbullToimprovecommunication
GroupSizeAnypairedupwithpartners
MaterialsOneblindfoldforeachperson(optional)
Time25to30minutes
SettingtheContextInhisbookTheFiveDysfunctionsofaTeamPatrickLencionidescribestrust
asthebasisforalleffectiveteamworkldquoTrustliesattheheartofafunctioning
cohesiveteamWithoutitteamworkisallbutimpossiblerdquo1AsacoachoneofyourtopprioritiesmustbetohelptheteambuildaspiritoftrustandmutualinterdependenceThisclassicexercisegivesteammembersachancetoexperiencetrustinactionandtoexploreissuesrelatedtofeedbacktrustworthinessandcommunication
PreparationFindalocationwithplentyofspacefortwopeopletowalksidebysideItcan
beindoorsoutdoorsorbothBecauseteammemberswillbetakingturnswearingblindfoldsorclosingtheireyeschooseanareawithminimaltrippinghazardsorunsafeobstacles
ProcedureBeginbyinvitingteammemberstoformgroupsoftwoIfthereisanextra
personleftoverhavethatpersonjoinoneofthegroupstomakeatrioTellthemthattheywillbetakingawalktogetherwithonepartnerwearingablindfoldorclosinghisorhereyesandtheotherpartnerbeingtheldquoblindrdquopartnerrsquossightedguide
TheguidersquosjobistotakehisorherldquoblindrdquopartneronawalkfortenminutesTheymaygoanywheretheguidechoosesaslongastheareaissafeandfreeofhazardsDuringthewalkguideswillcommunicateverballywiththeirpartnerstokeepthemonasafepathandsteerthemclearofobstaclesEncourageguides
tokeepthemonasafepathandsteerthemclearofobstaclesEncourageguidestousepositivecommunicationandbeawareoftheneedsoftheirunsightedpartnersalongthewayAftertenminuteshavethepartnersstopAsktheoriginalldquoblindrdquopartnersto
providesomefeedbacktotheirguidesHavethemsharewhattheyfelttheirguidedidthatwasgoodaswellasoffersuggestionsthatcouldhelpthemdoevenbetterWhentheyaredoneprovidingfeedbackinvitethepartnerstoswitchrolesAs
beforegiveeveryonetenminutesfortheirwalkfollowedbyashortdebriefingsessionwiththeirpartner
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwasitlikebeingintheroleofguide2Whatwasitlikebeingintheroleoftheunsightedpartner3Whatdidyourguidedotomakeyoufeelsafeandcomfortable4Didanyoneexperiencesomethingthatresultedinalossoftrust5Wasfeedbackrequestedandsharedeffectively6Whataresomewarningsignsthatmightindicatealackoftrustonateam7Whataresomesignsthatindicateateamhasahighleveloftrust8Whataresomereal-lifewaysthatateamcanbuildtrust
DebateVersusDialogue
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenteammembersadvocatefortheirpositionwithoutconsideringothersrsquoperspectives
OBJECTIVES
bullTounderstandthedifferencebetweendebateanddialoguebullTodevelopthedialogueskillsofteammembers
GroupSizeUpto20
MaterialsDebateVersusDialogueGameCardscutoutandhandout
Time20to30minutes
SettingtheContextTheminutewethinksomeoneelsemaybeofadifferentopiniona
competitiveinstincttakesoverandwedigourheelsinanddefendourpositionListeningisnonexistentbecauseastheotherpersonistalkingwearedebunkingwhatheorshehastosayandformulatingourtalkingpointstoproveourpoint
whatheorshehastosayandformulatingourtalkingpointstoproveourpointwhenitrsquosourturntotalkagainOrwesilentlyseetheunwillingtovoiceouropinionsduetoalackoftrustOnceteammembersareintroducedtothedistinctionbetweendebateanddialogueitopenstheirmindstothepossibilityoftheldquobothandrdquoapproachratherthantheldquoeitherorrdquoapproach
PreparationCopyandcutoutonesetoftheDebateVersusDialogueGameCards
ProcedureSaytotheteamldquoWearegoingtoplayagamecalledDebateVersus
DialogueInaminuteIwillpassouttwentycardsfacedownsoyoueachhaveapproximatelythesamenumberofcardsOneachcardisatraitofeitherdebateordialogueandeachcardhasapartnercardForexampleyourcardmaysaylsquoWinningistheendgoalrsquoThepartnercardmaysaylsquoDiscoveringthebestsolutionistheendgoalrsquoYourtaskistomatchupthepartnercardsandplacethemnexttoeachotheronthetablerdquoPassoutthecardsandreadtheserulestoyourteamRulesbullYoucanonlylookatyourowncardsbullYoumaysharetheinformationonyourcardsverballybutnooneelsecanlookatyourcardsbullYourtaskistofindyourpartnercardbyinteractingwithotherstodiscoverwhichcardsmatchupthebestbullWhenyoufindthepartnercardtoyourcardplacethemfaceupnexttoeachotheronthetablebullOnceacardisonthetableitcannotbemovedorrearrangedbullWhenallcardsareonthetablereviewthemasateamtoensurethecardsarematchedinthemannerthatmakesthemostsensebullAfterallthecardsareonthetablegivetheteamtheDebateVersusDialogueAnswershandouttochecktheiranswers
VariationsForteamswithfewerthaneightmembersplacethecardsfaceuponatable
andhavethewholeteammatchupthecardstogether
DiscussionQuestions1Whatarethebenefitsofdialogue
2Whenisdialoguemostappropriate3Whatarethechallengesofengagingindialogue4Whatteamnormscanbecreatedtofosterdialogueskills5Howwouldyouliketobeheldaccountable6Howcanyouholdeachotheraccountable
CUTOUT
DebateVersusDialogueGameCards
HANDOUT
DebateVersusDialogueAnswers
FeetzaFeetza
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Anytimetoenergizeandchallengethegroup
OBJECTIVES
bullToexperienceafuncreativeproblem-solvingchallengebullToenergizetheteamandengageinsomelightfriendlycompetition
GroupSizeAtleast8
MaterialsTapemeasure
Time15minutes
SettingtheContextSometimesnothingbringsateamtogetherbetterthansharingsomelaughs
Thiscreativeproblem-solvingchallengeislotsoffunandagreatwaytoenergizetheteamespeciallyafteralongorseriousmeetingItrsquosinspiredbyKarlRohnkersquosLeaningTowerofFeetzagamefoundinhisbookFunnrsquonGames
PreparationNoneProcedureSplitthegroupintotwoormorecompetingteamsofbetweenfourandfifteen
people(Biggerteamsaremorefunforthisactivity)TelltheteamstheywillbecompetingtocreatethetallestfreestandingtowerpossibleusingonlytheirshoesasbuildingmaterialsAllowtenminutesfortheteamstobuildtheirtowersandfiveminutestomeasurethemtodeterminethetallesttower
RulesbullOnlyshoesmaybeusedinthetowersShoelacestasselsandbucklesareallokaytouseaslongastheyareapartofsomeonersquosshoesbullTowersmaynotleanagainstwallschairsoranyotherexternalmeansofsupportbullPeoplemaynotusetheirhandsoranypartoftheirbodiestosupporttheirtower
DiscussionQuestions1Howdidyourteamapproachthischallenge2Whatrolesdidpeopleplay3Whatcanyourteamdotoencouragecreativeproblemsolvingatwork
FunnyFace
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toopenadiscussionaroundtheskillofnonjudgmentallisteninginalightheartedfunway
OBJECTIVES
bullTofosterengagementbullTodiscusstheimplicationsofapathy
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsOne large paper grocery bag for each person colored markers severalnonfiction or reference books or journals (such as dictionaries technicalmanualsinstructionmanualslawjournalsormedicaljournals)
Time20minutes
SettingtheContextListeninginanonjudgmentalmannerisahighlevelcoachingskillthatany
teammembercanlearntousetohelpcoachtheirfellowteammatesThisactivityallowstheteamtorecognizethedifferencebetweenbeingnonjudgmentalandapatheticItprovidesaplaceforteammemberstodiscusstheskillsinvolvedinlisteningandhowteammemberscansupporteachotherastheypracticethoseskillsItalsoprovidesanopeningforadiscussionaboutapathyanditsimpactonateam
PreparationThecoachneedstoprepareanexamplebagasdescribedonthenextpage
ProcedureGiveeachteammemberonepapergrocerybagandinviteeachparticipantto
drawafunnyfaceonthefrontofhisorherbagItrsquosagoodideatohaveoneexamplebagondisplaywithalargecolorfulandexaggeratedfunnyfacedrawnonthefrontTelltheteamtodrawafacelargeenoughsothatifthebagwereputonapersonrsquosheadotherparticipantscouldeasilyseethefacefromacrosstheroomAsktheteamwhatskillsarerequiredtolisteneffectivelyAskthemtoclarify
whatitmeanstolistennonjudgmentallyWhatstopsusfromdoingthisWhat
whatitmeanstolistennonjudgmentallyWhatstopsusfromdoingthisWhatarethebenefitsfortheotherpersonwhenwelistenwithoutjudgingHowdoesthiscontributetoacultureofcoachingNextaskthegrouptoclarifythedifferencebetweenbeingnonjudgmentaland
apatheticDiscusswiththegroupwhatapathyisWhatdoesitmeanWhatcausesapathyThenexplaintothegroupthattheyaregoingtopracticebeingapatheticHave
teammemberstaketurnsreadingfromoneofthebooksorjournalsTheymustshowtotalapathyatalltimeswhichmeansusingnofacialexpressionsandreadinginamonotonousvoiceTheotherteammembersmustalsobecompletelyapatheticastheylistentoeachpersonreadIfanyoneshowsanyemotionotherthancompleteapathyanyteammembermaycalloutldquoIaccusetheeofexpressivenessrdquousingcompleteapathyasheorshepointstotheguiltyteammemberTheexpressiveteammembermustthenputthebagoverhisorherheaduntilthatpersonhasstoppedshowingexpressionYouwillsoonfindthatthisturnsintoatotallaughfestwithteammembers
havingtokeepbagsovertheirheadsforasignificantperiodoftime
DiscussionQuestions1Whatisthedifferencebetweenbeingnonjudgmentalandapathetic2Howcanyoutellwhenanotherpersonisapathetic3Inwhatwaysdoesanapatheticteammemberimpacttheteam4HaveyoueverbeenapatheticWhatcausedthisHowdidyoureengage5Nowletrsquosdiscussnonjudgmentallisteninghowcanyoutellifyouarebeinglistenedtointhismanner6Howdoesithelptheteamtoincorporatethisskill7Howcantheteamsupportyouasyoupracticenonjudgmentallistening
GrumbleWhineandComplain
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Earlyintheteamrsquosinceptiontointroduceandrole-playtheideaofreframingnegativesintopositives
OBJECTIVES
bullToconsidertheupsideinseeminglynegativesituationsbullTobuildtheconfidenceofteammembers
GroupSizeAnypairedupwithpartners
MaterialsPaperandpensstopwatch
Time20to30minutes
SettingtheContextAhealthyteameasilylistenstooneanotherandprovideshelpfulfeedback
Teammemberslistentotheemotionsbehindthewordsspokenaskquestions
Teammemberslistentotheemotionsbehindthewordsspokenaskquestionsandhelpeachotherseetheupsideoffailureandsetbacks
PreparationYouwillneedaspacelargeenoughsoeveryonecantaketheirchairsinpairs
andspreadouttotalkwithoutdisruptingotherpartnerships
ProcedureHaveteammembersfindapartnerProvideeachpairwithpaperandpens
InvitepartnerstofindaplacewheretheycansitandhaveaquietconversationwithlimiteddistractionsThisactivityconsistsoftwostagesExplainstageonelikethisldquoThefirst
thingyouneedtodoisfigureoutwhichpartnerispersonAandwhichpartnerispersonB[Pausewhiletheydothis]ForthenexttwominutespersonAwillbecomplainingtopersonBaboutwhateverheorshechoosestocomplainaboutPersonByourjobistosimplylistenwhilepersonAcomplainsYourjobisnottofixsuggestorprovideanysolutionsMostimportantlyyourjobisnottosaysomethinglikelsquoYouthinkyouhaveitbadherersquoswhathappenedtomehelliprsquoThefirsttwominutesareallaboutpersonAandhisorhergripesrdquoAsthegameleaderyoucanstopthemafteroneminuteandsayldquoThatwas
onlyoneminutedidyouhaveenoughtimerdquoOneminuteisusuallyasufficientamountoftimetoairgrievancesAfteryoucalltimeinstructpersonBtojotdownsomenotesasareminderofwhatheorsheheardAllowanotherminuteforthisstepWhenyougetthesensethatmostarefinishedaskthemtosettheirnotesasideNowitispersonBrsquosturntocomplaintopersonAAllowoneminutefor
complainingfollowedbyanotherminuteforpersonAtojotdownnotesaboutwhatheorsheheardThefirstpartofyourdebriefingconsistsofthepartnerssharingwitheachotherthemannerinwhichtheyreframedtheirpartnerrsquoscomplaintsAllowplentyoftimeforthepartnerstoshareanddiscusstheirobservationsascomplainerandlistenerExplainstagetwolikethisldquoNowworkinsilenceforafewminutesLookat
yournotesandcreatesomepositivefeedbackforyourpartnerWhatistheupsideofyourpartnerrsquoscomplaintsWhataresomepotentialpositiveoutcomesthatcanbederivedasaresultofthesituationyourpartnertalkedaboutrdquoAllowtwominutesforthisstepWhenitlookslikemostarefinishedgive
themthreeminutestosharewiththeirpartnerswhattheywrote
DiscussionQuestions1Whatsurprisedyouabouttheresultsofthisactivity2Whatdidyouthinkwhenyouheardyourcomplaintsreframed3Whatcanyoulearnfromthisactivity4Howcanyouusewhatyoulearnedatwork5Whatwasyourbiggestahamoment
MrandMrsWright
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asafunwaytostartameetingtogeteveryonelaughingortohighlighttheimportanceofactivelistening
OBJECTIVES
bullTohavefunandsharesomelaughswiththeteambullToillustratetheimportanceofactivelistening
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsOneindexcardperpersonpensorpencils
Time10minutes
SettingtheContextA1984studybyresearchersfromtheUniversityofTexasatAustinfoundthat
inatypicalconversationmostpeoplerememberonlyaround10percentofwhat
wasactuallysaid2FortunatelylisteningisaskillthatcanbeimprovedwithpracticeActivelisteningisausefulcommunicationtechniquewhereyouconsciouslyfocusallyourattentiononthewordsandmessageofyourpartnerWithpracticeactivelisteningcanhelpusallbecomebettercommunicatorsThisquickenergizergamechallengeseveryonetolistenwithfocusand
attention
PreparationNone
ProcedureHaveeveryonestandorsitinacircleGiveeachpersonanindexcardand
penTellthemtowritetheirnameontheirindexcardTelltheteamldquoIamgoingtoreadastoryoutloudtoyouWheneveryouhearlsquorightrsquopleasepassyourcardtothepersononyourrightWheneveryouhearlsquoleftrsquopleasepassthecardtothepersononyourleftListencarefullybecauseyouwillbepassingthecardsbackandforthalotIpromiseIwonrsquotgotoofastHerewego
ThisisastoryabouttheWRIGHTfamilyMrandMrsWRIGHTandtheirchildrenJimmyandJennieWRIGHTOnedaytheWRIGHTfamilydecidedtohaveapicnicattheparklsquoThereare
onlyafewdaysLEFTofsummervacationrsquosaidMrsWRIGHTlsquoanditrsquosabeautifuldaytobeoutsidersquoThekidslovedthisideabecausetherewasabigsoftballgameattheparkthatdaylsquoWhatcanwepackforlunchrsquowonderedMrWRIGHTlsquoWellrsquorepliedMrs
WRIGHTlsquowehaveplentyofLEFToversintherefrigeratorTherersquosevensomeapplepieLEFTfromthebigbakesalersquolsquoSoundsgoodrsquosaidMrWRIGHTlsquoApplepieismyfavoritersquoTheypiledintothecarandheadedfortheparkTheyhadjustLEFTwhen
JimmycriedlsquoUh-ohILEFTmysoftballglovebackathomeCanwegobackandgetitrsquoSoMrWRIGHTgotintotheLEFTturnlaneHeturnedLEFTonMainStreet
andheadedhomeUnfortunatelytheRIGHTlanewasclosedduetoconstructionsohetookaquickLEFTonElmStreetfollowedbyonemoreLEFTon5thStreetThistookthemRIGHTbackhomeWhentheyarrivedJimmyhoppedoutofthecartogethisgloveJustthen
JennierememberedsomethinglsquoBesuretobringmyLEFT-handedglovetoorsquo
shecalledtoJimmylsquoLasttimeyouonlybroughtyourRIGHT-handedoneandIwasLEFTsittingonthebenchalldayrsquoJimmywentinthegaragetogettheglovesHequicklygrabbedhisglovebut
JenniersquosLEFT-handedglovewasnowheretobeseenlsquoWherecoulditbersquohewonderedHerantoJenniersquosbedroomtosearchforitthenthekitchenthenthebackyardAndthatrsquoswhereJimmyfoundJenniersquosLEFT-handedgloveRIGHTinthebackyardwhereshehadLEFTitJimmyhoppedbackinthecarandtheyspedtotheparkwithjustmoments
LEFTtospareThekidshustledouttothesoftballfieldJimmyWRIGHTtookhisplaceinLEFTfieldandJennieWRIGHTtookherplaceatsecondbaseMeanwhileMrandMrsWRIGHTsettledintowatchthegameTheirpicnicbasketwasfullofLEFToversandtheyhadquiteafeastItwasanexcitinggameTheotherteamrsquosLEFT-handedpitcherstruggledagainstastringofRIGHT-handedbattersandthescorewastiedallthewaytothefinalinningThegameendedwithJimmycatchingaflyballtoLEFTfieldleavingJimmyandJenniersquosteamundefeatedfortheseasonWhentheygothomethateveningthekidshadnoenergyLEFTandwent
RIGHTtobedMrWRIGHTexclaimedtoMrsWRIGHTlsquoWhatadayAfterallthoseLEFToversIneedtogoonadietstartingRIGHTawayrsquoTHEEND
DidyouendupwithyouroriginalcardGiveyourselfaroundofapplauseifyoudidrdquo
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwasmostchallengingaboutthisactivity2Whataresomethingsthatgetinthewayofgoodlistening3Whatcanyoudotobecomebetterlisteners4Whataresomethingstheteamcandotoimproveeveryonersquoslistening5Onascaleof1to10with10beinghighesthowwouldyourateyourselfasalistenerWhy
OurTeamStandings
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asteammemberswanttodeepentheirknowledgeofoneanother
OBJECTIVES
bullTogettoknoweachotherbetteranddiscovercommonalitiesamongteammembersbullTosparkmeaningfulconversationsaboutdifferencesamongteammembers
GroupSizeUpto20
MaterialsA50-footlengthofropeorarollofmaskingtape
Time20minutes
SettingtheContextStronghealthyworkrelationshipsleadtomoreeffectiveteamsInyourwork
asacoachmakeityourgoaltohelpdevelopteammembersrsquoabilitiestofindcommongroundappreciatedifferencessupportoneanotherandbecandid
commongroundappreciatedifferencessupportoneanotherandbecandidabouttheirowninterestswhilebeingopentotheconcernsoftheirpeers
PreparationMarkastraightlineapproximatelyfiftyfeetlongonthegroundwiththerope
ormaskingtape
ProcedureTelltheteamyouwillbeaskingthemsomequestionsthatwillrevealthings
theyhaveincommonwitheachotheraswellasuncoverareaswheretheydifferSomequestionswillbefunsomewillbeworkrelatedandsomewillbealittlemoreseriousThelineonthegroundrepresentsyourratingscaleClarifyfortheteamwhichendoftheroperepresentsldquolowrdquoandwhichendrepresentsldquohighrdquoForthequestionswhereitrsquosnotnecessarilyahighorlowthenotesinparenthesesdescribewhateachendrepresentsAftereachquestionyouaskhaveteammembersratethemselvesbystandingsomewherealongthelineUseyourbestjudgmentasteamcoachtoaskquestionsthataremeaningfulfor
thegroupChoosefromthislistfeelingfreetochangethewordingormakeupyourownquestionsasyouseefit
bullHowdoyoufeelaboutbuttermilk(LoveithellipGross)bullHowwouldyoudescribeyourwork-lifebalance(AllworkhellipAllpersonallife)bullHowdoyoufeelaboutrealityTV(LoveithellipHateit)bullHowwouldyourateyourcapacitytocontributetoyourcurrentprojectbullHowwouldyourateyourunderstandingoftheorganizationrsquosvisionbullLineupbasedonwhohasthemostunusualmiddlenamebullHowwouldyourateyourteamrsquosabilitytomanageconflictinahealthywaybullHowdoyouperceivethelevelofconflictontheteam(NonexistenthellipHigh)bullHowwouldyoudescribeyourfeelingsaboutchange(LoveithellipHateit)bullHowwouldyourateyourunderstandingofwheretheteamisheadedbullHowoftendoyouthinkaboutchocolate(NeverhellipAllthetime)bullDoesyourteamhavetheresourcesitneedstoaccomplishyourworkbullHowclearlydoyouunderstandyourroleintheteambullLineupaccordingtohowmanyyearsyouhaveworkedfortheorganization
organizationbullHowwouldyourateyourunderstandingofyourteammatesrsquorolesbullLineupbasedonhowpassionateyouareaboutsportsbullLineupaccordingtowhohastraveledfarthestfromhomebullLineupbasedonhowmanybooksyouhavereadinthepastyearbullHowspicydoyoulikeyourfood(MildhellipFive-alarmfire)bullWhichmodeofcommunicationdoyouprefermostface-to-faceor100percentvirtual
ThisactivityprovidesopportunitiesforsomegreatdiscussionForquestionsthatareespeciallymeaningfulforthegrouphaveteammembersgatherintothreesmalldiscussiongroupsbasedonwheretheyrankedthemselvesThoseclosesttooneendofthespectrumwillformthefirstgroupthoseinthemiddlewillformthesecondandthoseattheoppositeendwillformthethirdHavethemdiscusswithintheirsmallgroupswhytheyrankedthemselvesthewaytheydidandthenhaveeachgroupelectaspokespersontosharetheirgrouprsquosresponsewiththerestoftheteam
TipsbullKeepthingslivelybyincludingamixoffunandseriousquestionsthroughouttheactivitybullFinishonanupbeatnotebyaskingafunquestion
VariationsBoosttheenergylevelbyallowingjusttensecondstolineupforeach
question
Push
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenresistanceorunderlyingconflictisfelt
OBJECTIVES
bullToincreaseawarenessofourownreactionsbullTochooseanappropriateresponseinchallengingsituations
GroupSizeAnypairedupwithpartners
MaterialsNone
Time10minutes
SettingtheContextTheskillofpresenceisgettingmorechallengingbythedayCellphones
tabletsandlaptopsarewithuseverywherewegopullingourfocusfromwhatwearedoingandbreakingourconcentrationwhilewethinkCoachingrequiresustobeinthemomentAndchoosingtobeinthemomentwhilecoachingtakesacommitmentfromeverymemberoftheteamOncewearepresentwehavetheabilitytoobserveouractionsandreactionsinrealtimeWecreateanopportunitytoassessourreactionsandchooseappropriateresponsesThebonusisthatweopenourselvestomoreaccurateinterpretationofotherteammembersrsquoactionsandreactionsenablingbettercommunicationtotakeplacePushisasimpleyetelegantactivitythatimmediatelyrevealsournaturalresponsestostressconflictcompetitionandchangeYoucanusethisactivityinavarietyofdifferentsituationstobuildawarenessOnceawareyourteamcanbegintobuildtheirindividualandcollectiveEQ(emotionalintelligence)WithsomeadditionaltrainingonEQmdashawarenessofselfandself-managementawarenessofothersandrelationshipmanagementmdashteammemberscanhelpimproveeachotherrsquos
individualEQandtheoverallEQoftheteam
ProcedureHaveteammembersformpartnershipsInvitepartnerstostandandfaceeach
otherpalmsheldchest-highandfacingtheotherpersonAskpartnerstoputtheirpalmstogetherSayldquoLookeachotherintheeyeanddecidewhichofthetwoofyouhasthedarkesteyesrdquoAllowaminutewhiletheylaughandfigureitoutNowsayldquoDark-eyedpersonthesenextinstructionsareforyouonlyDark-eyedpersonpleasegentlyandforcefullypushagainstthepalmsofyourpartnerrdquoAllowamomentforeveryonetodothisNowsayldquoThankyoudark-eyedpersonyoumaystoppushingrdquoRepeatthesameinstructionsthistimedirectedtothelight-eyedpersonAfterthelight-eyedteammembershavefinishedpushingsayldquoThankyoueveryonenowpleasedropyourarmssowecanobservewhathappenedrdquoAtthispointstopforsomemid-activitydiscussionquestions
Mid-ActivityDiscussionQuestions1Doesanyonerememberwhattheinstructionswere2Dark-eyedpersonwhatdidyoudowhenyouwereaskedtopush3Light-eyedpersonwhatdidyoudowhenyouwerepushed4Dark-eyedpersonwhatdidyoudowhenyouwereaskedtopush5Light-eyedpersonwhatdidyoudowhenyouwerepushed6Whenyouwerebeingpushedwhatwasyournaturalreaction7Howdoesthiscomparewithyourreactionstosituationswhenyouarechallengedinconflictorincompetitionwithanothermdasheitherrealorperceived8Isthereanotherwaytorespond9DirecttheteamtogothroughthisprocessoncemoreandthistimewhenthepartnersarebeingpushedtheyshouldchooseadifferentresponseDirecttheteamthroughtheprocesswiththesameinstructionsasthefirsttimeYouwillnoticeachangeinenergywhilethepartnersworktogethertochooseandsupportotherresponses
FinalDiscussionQuestions1Wasthereadifferentresponse
2Whatdiditlooklike3Whatdiditfeellike4Whenyoufeelpushedasyoucontinuetoworktogetherhowelsecanyourespond5Whatdoesittaketogetthere6Teamscanbeveryeffectiveathelpingotherteammembersincreasetheirawarenesshowwouldyouliketobeheldaccountable
UFOBall
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tobegincreatingadeeperlevelofconnectiontootherteammembersandtotheteamitself
OBJECTIVES
bullTodifferentiateagroupfromtheteambullTosolidifyconnectionsthatmakeateam
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsOneUFOBallwhichcanbepurchasedatwwwtrainingwheelscomorbydoinganonlinesearchforldquoUFOBallrdquoforotherpurchaseoptions
Time5to10minutes
SettingtheContextTeamhasbeendefinedasldquoagroupofpeoplewhocometogethertoachievea
commongoalrdquoIttakesagroupofpeopletomakeateambutateamismuchmorethanagroupofpeopleAworkteamhasaconnectiontotheothermembersoftheteamandtotheworktobedoneTheUFOBallprovidesagreatvisualonthepowerofconnections
PreparationNoneProcedureInvitetheteamtostandorsitinacircleTellthemthattheUFOBall
representstheworktheteamisresponsiblefordoingPresenttheUFOBalltothepersonstandingorsittingclosesttoyouAskthatpersontotaketheballfromyouandholdontoitwithtwofingersbyplacingonefingeronthemetalplateandtheotherfingeranywhereelseontheballThenaskthatpersontomakeaconnectionwiththepersonnexttohimorher
byholdinghandsNowaskthesecondpersontoconnectwiththepersonclosesttohimorherandonaroundtheteamuntilthelastperson(you)isconnectedtoeveryoneelseSayldquoAtthispointweareallconnectedtoeachotherLetrsquosseewhathappenswhenweallgetconnectedwiththeworktobedonerdquoWithyouropenhandplaceonefingerontheothermetalbarontheballandtheotheranywhereelseontheballDothisinawaythatyourfingersarenottouchingtheotherball-holderrsquosfingersTheballwillimmediatelybegintoflashandmakenoiseAllowtimefortheteamtooohandaahBeginaskingthediscussionquestionsWhenyougettothethirdquestion
askldquoWhathappenswhenthereisabreakinourconnectionLetrsquosfindoutrdquoAskanytwopeopleintheteamtobreaktheirconnectionTheballwillstopflashinguntiltheconnectionisreestablishedContinuewiththeremainderofthediscussionquestionsTeammemberswillhavefunexperimentinghowconnectedtheyhavetobefortheballtorespondcantheysimplytouchfingersordotheyhavetoholdhands
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdoesitmeantobeateam2Whatisthevalueinbeingconnectedtotheteam3Howdoesitimpacttheteamwhenthereisabreakinthecollectiveconnection
4Whatcontributestoafeelingofconnection5Whataresomewaystheteamcanbecomedisconnected6Howcanyouhelpyourselvesandothersstayconnectedtoeachotherandtoyourwork
WhatrsquosintheBox
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toincreaseenergyandcreativethinking
OBJECTIVES
bullTostimulatecreativityandldquooutoftheboxrdquothinkingbullTohavefunandincreaseenergythroughaction
GroupSizeUpto30
MaterialsAmedium-tolarge-sizesealedcardboardbox(bigenoughtobeheldwithtwohands but not so large as to be unwieldy) a sign inside the box thatsaysldquoYourcreativityrdquomaskingtape
Time30to45minutes
SettingtheContextThisactivityisagreatwaytoenergizethegroupatthebeginningofameeting
orafteralongbreakItalsostimulatescreativethinkingThisgameusestheelementsofimprovisationaltheaterandworksgreatbeforeabrainstormingsessionorasanafternoonenergizerIthelpsopentheteamuptoaldquopossibilitiesconversationrdquoandwillgeneratesomelaughterandenergy
PreparationCreatethesignaheadoftimeandputitintotheboxandsealitPlacetapeon
thefloorintwoparallellinesaboutthreefeetapartandlongenoughtoaccommodatehalfoftheparticipantsstandingoneachline
ProcedureBeginbysayingldquoCompaniesareoftenunabletocreatenewideasbecauseof
theconfinestheyplacethemselvesinThinkingoutsidetheboxisrequiredforreinventionThisgamehelpsyouenvisionsolutionsbeyondwhatyouwouldnormallythinkofrdquoDividetheparticipantsintotwogroupsAskeachgrouptostandononeofthe
lineswithbothgroupsfacingthesamedirectioninasingle-filelineGivetheboxtotheparticipantatthefrontofoneofthelines(LineA)andexplainthatthetwogroupswillplayagamecalledWhatrsquosintheBoxExplaintheprocessasfollowsldquoTheparticipantatthefrontofLineB
(withoutthebox)willasktheparticipantholdingthebox(inLineA)lsquoWhatrsquosintheboxrsquoTheparticipantholdingthebox(inLineA)willrespondwithafictionalanswerasheorshehandstheboxtotheparticipantaskingthequestioninLineBrdquoThepersonnowholdingtheboxinLineBmustreacttowhateverisldquointhe
boxrdquoForexampleasetofweightsintheboxwouldbeextremelyheavyTheparticipantwhosurrenderedthebox(LineA)nowmovestothebackofhisorherteamrsquoslineTheparticipantatthefrontofLineArepeatsthequestionldquoWhatrsquosintheboxrdquoTheparticipantatthefrontofLineBmustrespondwithadifferentanswer
thatrelatestothefirstitemsupposedlyintheboxForexampleifasetofweightswasthefirstitemsmellyathleticshoescouldbethenextitembecauseyouwearathleticshoestoliftweightsTheparticipantatthefrontofLineBhandstheboxtotheparticipantatthefrontofLineAandmovestothebackofhisorherlineTheparticipantinLineAnowholdingtheboxmustreacttothenewitemin
TheparticipantinLineAnowholdingtheboxmustreacttothenewitemintheboxRepeatthisprocessuntileveryonehastakenoneturn(ifmorethanfifteenpeople)andtwoturnseach(iffewerthanfifteen)EnsurenoonerepeatsanansweralreadygivenInviteeveryonetobeseatedDebrieftheteamontheexperiencefocusing
firstontheiremotionalreactionstotheexperienceandthenonthewidevarietyofitemsthatwereimaginedtobeintheboxAskiftheywanttoknowwhatisreallyintheboxOpentheboxdisplayingthesignthatsaysldquoYourCreativityrdquoConcludebysayingldquoWhenwestartedthisactivityyourcreativitywasinthe
boxAsyoursquoveseenyourcreativitycanrsquotbecontainedbyaboxYouhavebeenthinkingoutsidetheboxsoyourcreativityisbox-freeLetrsquoskeepthecreativitygoingandunleashittowardourgoalof[insertteamgoalhere]andmoveintoanothergameorawork-relatedprojectrdquo
RulesbullEveryonemustcomeupwithaniteminsidetheboxthatrelatestothepreviousitemmentionedbullNoitemmayberepeatedbullAfterhandingofftheboxtothepersonaskingmovetotheendofyourlinebullNoonemayopentheboxuntilthecoachleadsthedebriefingsession
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdidyouenjoyabouttheactivity2Howdiditfeeltocomeupwithnewitemsforthebox3Whatdidyounoticeabouthowtheitemschangedovertime4Whatconclusionscanyoudrawfromthis5Whatbecomespossiblewhenself-imposedbarriersareremoved
YesButhellip
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Todemonstratethepowerofpositivewordsandthoughts
OBJECTIVES
bullTofeeltheimpactofpositiveandnegativewordsbullTogetpeoplethinkingoutsidetheircomfortzone
GroupSizeUpto10
MaterialsNone
Time15minutes
SettingtheContextThisgamehelpsparticipantsbecomemoreawareofhowtheyinadvertently
shutdownothersontheteamItprovidesafunsafewaytodemonstratetheimpacttheirwordshaveItisagreatgametousebeforebrainstormingtohighlightthepointthatallideasaregoodideasduringbrainstorming
highlightthepointthatallideasaregoodideasduringbrainstorming
PreparationDetermineatopicifyoudonrsquotchoosetousetheoneprovidedinthe
Proceduresection
ProcedureAskforfourtofivevolunteersTellthisgroup(teamone)thattheyare
responsibleforplanningtheircompanyrsquosannualawardscelebrationAnyoneontheteamcanstartwiththefirstsuggestionforplanningtheeventEachofthesubsequentideasmuststartwithldquoYesbuthelliprdquoContinuetheexerciseuntilitrunsoutofsteamThenaskforfourtofivemorevolunteerstoformanothergroup(teamtwo)
TellthemtheyareresponsibleforplanningtheircompanyrsquosannualawardscelebrationAnyoneontheteamcanstartwiththefirstsuggestionforplanningtheeventEachofthesubsequentideasmuststartwithldquoYesandhelliprdquoContinuetheexercisefortwoorthreeminutesoruntilthegroupwindsdown
RulesbullTeamonemuststartallideasexcepttheinitialideawithldquoYesbuthelliprdquobullTeamtwomuststartallideasexcepttheinitialideawithldquoYesandhelliprdquo
DiscussionQuestions1HowdiditfeeltohaveyourideasrejectedAccepted2Howdidtheenergyintheroomchangeduringeachexercise3Whatcausesapersontoshootdownsomeoneelsersquosideas4Howcanyoubecomemoreopentonewideas
1PatrickLencioniTheFiveDisfunctionsofaTeam(SanFranciscoJossey-Bass2002)195
2LauraStaffordandJohnADalyldquoConversationalMemoryTheEffectsofRecallModeandMemoryExpectanciesonRemembrancesofNaturalConversationsrdquoHumanCommunicationResearch10(Spring1984)379ndash402
5
CreatingaVision
Itrsquosoneofthecharacteristicsofaleaderthathenotdoubtforonemomentthecapacityofthepeoplehersquosleadingtorealizewhateverhersquosdreaming
mdashBenjaminZander
BridgestoSuccess
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Anytimeespeciallyforteamsstartinganewprojectorengaginginsomegoalsettingalsoagreatlead-intoagapanalysissession(seeSettingtheContextbelow)
OBJECTIVES
bullToidentifywheretheteamisnowandwhereitwantstobeinthefuturebullTopinpointtheactionstepsnecessarytotaketheteamwhereitwantstobe
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsof3to5
MaterialsScissors disposable drinking straws adhesive tape or masking tape
paperstickynotespensormarkersastaplertapemeasure
Time45minutes
SettingtheContextThisactivityisafunlighterversionoftheusefulorganizationaltoolknown
asgapanalysisAgapanalysisisatechniquethathelpsteamsidentifythegapsbetweenwheretheyarenowandwheretheywanttobeinthefutureItalsogivesteamstheopportunitytopinpointtheactionstepsthatwillhelpthemgettowheretheywanttobeAsacoachuseBridgestoSuccessasaninteractivewaytohelptheteam
identifyitsgoalsgapsandactionstepsorasalead-intoafullgapanalysissession
PreparationGatherallthesuppliesbeforethegrouparrivesProvideeachteamwithone
pairofscissorsthirtydrinkingstrawsasmallrollofadhesivetapeormaskingtapesomepaperstickynotesandpensormarkers
ProcedureBuildingtheBridges(30minutes)Splitthegroupintoworkteamsofthree
tofivepeopleeachOncetheteamsarecreatedpassoutthebuildingmaterialsTelltheworkteamstheymusteachbuildabridgethatcansupporttheweight
ofastaplerusingonlythematerialsfoundintheirbuildingkitsInexplainingtherulestotheteamsusethiswordingRulesbullBridgesmustspanthegapbetweentwodesksplacedtwentyinchesapart(Ifitrsquosnotpossibletopushdeskstogetherusechairsstacksofbooksorreamsofpapertocreateatwenty-inchgap)bullBridgesmaynotbetapedorsecuredtothedesksinanywaybullTeamsmayonlyusethematerialsprovidedinthebuildingkitsbullAllteamsmustexperiencesuccess
GiveteamsatotalofthirtyminutestobuildtheirbridgesdividedintouptothreeroundsAllowfifteenminutesforroundonetenminutesforroundtwoandfiveminutesforroundthree(Notethatsometeamsmaynotneedallthreeroundstosuccessfullycompletetheirbridges)AttheendofeachroundcalltimeTesteachbridgetoseeifitcansupporttheweightofastaplerplacedinthemiddleAddsomefunandsuspenseasyouslowlysetthestaplerdownonthemiddleofeachbridgeEncouragelotsofapplausefromtherestofthegroupIfnecessarymoveontothenextroundencouragingteamstorevisittheir
designsandmakewhateverchangesarenecessarytostrengthentheirbridgesTeamsmayfinditusefultoconsultoraskquestionsoftheteamsthatwere
TeamsmayfinditusefultoconsultoraskquestionsoftheteamsthatweresuccessfulCallforabigroundofapplauseafterallteamshaveexperiencedsuccess
ConnectingIttoRealLife(15minutes)Afterthebridgeshavebeenbuilttelltheteamstotakeafewminutesof
discussiontimetoidentifyareal-lifegoalthatisimportantforthegroupItrsquosokayifeachoftheteamscomesupwithadifferentgoalNextusingstickynotesorpaperhavetheteamslabelthepartsoftheir
bridges
bullLabeloneendofthebridgewiththegoaltheyhavejustidentifiedThisrepresentsldquowherewewanttoberdquobullLabeltheotherendofthebridgetorepresentldquowherewearenowrdquoThislabelshoulddescribethecurrentconditionorstateoftheteamThedifferencebetweenldquowherewearenowrdquoandldquowherewewanttoberdquoisthegaptheteammustcrosstoachievesuccessbullAlongthelengthofthebridgelabelthetasksoractionstepsrequiredtobridgethegapandachievesuccessBeasspecificaspossiblewiththispartbecausedetailedactionstepsareessentialtosuccess
Aftertheyhavefinishedlabelingtheirbridgesinviteeachteamtobrieflysharetheirresultstherestofthegroup
TipsPlacethebridgesaroundyourofficeorworksiteasawaytoremindteam
membersoftheirgoalandtheactionstepstheymusttaketogetthere
DiscussionQuestions1Inwhatwayswasthisprocesssimilartoyourreal-lifeproject2Whatchangesdidyoumakeinordertobuildastrongbridge3Whatdidyoulearnfromthisactivity4DidanyoneviewthisasacompetitionWhyorwhynot5DidyouaskforhelpfromanyoftheotherteamsWhyorwhynot6OneoftherequirementsofthisactivitywasthatldquoallteamsmustexperiencesuccessrdquoWhatdidyoudotomeetthisrequirement7Whataresomewaysyoucanhelpeachotherachievesuccessinreallife
ldquoComingSoonrdquoMoviePosters
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asanactivityatthestartofaprojectwhentheteamlacksclearfocusaboutitsgoalorwhentherolesofteammembersneedtobedefined
OBJECTIVES
bullTocreateapowerfulvisualdepictionoftheteamrsquosgoalbullTodefinetherolesteammemberswillplayinachievingthegoalbullTomotivateteammembersbycastingthemselvesasthestarsdirectorsandcreatorsoftheirpathtosuccess
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsof4to5
MaterialsOneposterboardandanassortmentofcoloredmarkersforeachteam
Time45to60minutes
SettingtheContextAnessentialroleofanycoachishelpingtheteamcreateaclearfocusedgoal
EquallyimportantisforteammemberstounderstandtheroleeachofthemwillplayinachievingthegoalWithoutaclear-cutgoalateammaystumblealongorbecomesidetrackedIntheabsenceofwell-definedrolesteammembersmayendupduplicatingoneanotherrsquosworkpassingthebuckornotholdingoneanotheraccountableThisactivitygivesteamstheopportunitytopaintaclearpictureoftheirgoal
andtheindividualroleseachmemberwillplayusingHollywood-stylemoviepostersforinspiration
PreparationMostteamsliketostandorsitaroundatableastheyworkontheirpostersso
allowplentyofworkspaceforeachteam
ProcedureSplitthegroupintoteamsoffourtofivepeopleeachGiveeachteamaposter
SplitthegroupintoteamsoffourtofivepeopleeachGiveeachteamaposterboardandasetofcoloredmarkersTellthemtheobjectoftheactivityisforeachteamtocreateaHollywood-stylemovieposterdepictingtheirgoalandcastingalltheteammembersinthestoryTellthemthattheirpostersshouldbeasvisuallyexcitingaspossiblePostersmustincludealltheteammemberscastintherolesofldquoheroesrdquoaswellasdepicttheirobstacles(forexamplecompetitorspooreconomicconditionsbudgetcuts)asldquobadguysrdquoandtheteamrsquosldquogoalrdquo(forexample$20millioninrevenuewithintenyears)andothercreativeelementsForinspirationteamscansearchonlineforimagesofcurrentandclassicmoviepostersBeforetheystartcreatingtheirpostersencourageteamstospendsometime
discussingtheiractualldquorealliferdquogoalandtheroleseveryonewillplayAllowthirtytofortyminutesforteamstoplanandthencreatetheirpostersWheneveryoneisfinishedinviteteamsoneatatimetosharetheirposterswiththerestofthegroupEncourageteamstocomeupwithcreativewaystopresenttheirpostersperhapsbymimickingatheatricalmovieprevieworaHollywoodredcarpeteventGiveteamsaboutfiveminutestocomeupwiththeirpresentationsandallowabouttwominutesforeachteamtodelivertheirpresentation
TipsHangtheteamsrsquomoviepostersaroundtheofficeorworksiteasafun
constantreminderoftheirgoalandtheroleeverymemberplays
GetItontheTable
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenyouwanttobesureeveryonehasanopportunitytoengageinthoughtfuldialogueonanimportantissue
OBJECTIVES
bullTogaineveryonersquosinputandachieveconsensusbullTodiscoverattitudesbeliefsandthemesthatareimportanttothegroup
GroupSizeAnypairedupwithpartnersMaterialsSmall tables and chairs butcher paper or flip-chart paper colored
markersorassortedsharpiestimingdevicemaskingtapeorpainterrsquostape(optional)
Time60minutes
SettingtheContextThisldquoteamforumrdquobringsouttheteamrsquoscommonalitiesandconcernsasa
waytoachieveconsensusandengageeveryoneintheconversationTheinformalnatureoftheactivityencourageseveryonersquosinputgeneratesfreshideasallowsteammemberstobuildononeanotherrsquosideasandhelpsthemdiscoverareasofagreementForpeoplewhomightbereluctanttoshareinthelargergroupthisencouragescandidsharingofopinionssparksarobustconversationgetsissuesonthetableinalessformalwayandgeneratesalotofthought
PreparationChoosetherightquestion(s)toaskThisisthemostimportantwaytoprepare
forthisactivityTakeplentyoftimetodeveloppowerfulquestion(s)thatwilldrivelotsofconversationPowerfulquestionsaresimpleandclearopen-endedandthoughtprovokingTheyinspirepeopletodivedeeperdiscoverpossibilitiesandinviteinquiryanddiscoverySomegoodthemesforcreatingyourquestioncouldincludewaystoresolve
conflictwaystoappreciatedifferenceswaystoleadwaystoencourageopensharingofknowledgewaystobuildtrustwaystoestablishtheteamascollaborativewaystoimprovetheteamrsquosprocesseswaystoboostcollaborationwaystoavoidldquoscopecreeprdquowaystoaddressnewcorporateinitiativesorindustrychallengesandsoonSetthestagewithcaretocreateapositiveinformalatmospherethatpromotes
deepthought-provokingdiscussionsTheconversation-basedformatforthisactivityispatternedaftertheWorldCafeacuteapproach(theworldcafecom)Tosetthestagecovereachtablewithbutcherpaperorflip-chartpaperplacecoloredmarkersorsharpiesoneachtableandseteachtablewithfourchairsNaturallightandstaggeredtablesprovidealessformalfeelConsiderplacingflowersorcandlesoneachtabletosimulatethecafeacuteeffectCreateasignwiththenameofyourcafeacuteforexampleIdeaCafeacuteCommunicationCafeacuteLeadershipCafeacuteCoachrsquosCafeacuteorCreativityCafeacuteDisplaythetopicquestiononeitherflip-chartpaperoraPowerPointslidesothateveryonecanseeit
ProcedureInvitetheteammemberstositdownatoneofthetablesThereshouldbe
threeorfourpeopleateachtableExplainthepurposefordoingthisactivityandpresentthequestionfordiscussionAllowthegroupfifteenminutestotalkdiscussexploredrawanddoodlealltheaspectsofthequestionTellthemtheyarenotnecessarilylookingforsolutionsbutopeningnewdimensionstheymay
arenotnecessarilylookingforsolutionsbutopeningnewdimensionstheymaynothavethoughtofbeforeAttheten-minutemarkasktheteamstoidentifythreeormorekeyideasthathavesprungfromtheirdiscussionandtogetthemldquoonthetablerdquobyeitherwritingthemdownordrawingthemChallengethetablestocapturetheirideascreativelyAfteralltableshavecapturedtheirideashaveeachtablechooseatablehostwhowillspeakfortheteamNowinstructeveryonetomovetoanewtableexceptforthetablehostswho
willstaywiththeiroriginaltableEncourageteammemberstomoverandomlytonewtablessothatthereisafreshmixofpeopleateachtableThetablehostwillwelcomethenewmembersandofferasummaryofwhathadbeendiscussedbeforeatthetablesharingthethoughtswordsandpicturesofthepreviousgroupwiththenewparticipantsTheconversationnowcontinuesusingthesamequestionasbeforeThistimehoweverthenewparticipantsareencouragedtobringtheirideasandblendthemwithwhathadbeendiscussedbeforeThegoalistodeepentheconversationgenerateadditionalquestionsandaddnewinsightsAllowfifteenminutesforthisroundRepeatthisprocessforonefinalroundMakesurethatthesamehostremains
ateachtableandthateveryoneelsemovestoanewtablewithafreshmixofpeopleToendtheactivityhaveeachtablehostposthisorhertablersquosbutcherpaper
tothewallandsharethecommonideasthemesandquestionsthataroseduringthecourseofthethreeroundsFollowwiththediscussionquestions
DiscussionQuestions1Whatcommonthemesemerged2Howcanyouadaptwhatyoulearnedforuseinyourldquonormalrdquoteamdiscussions3Howdoideasgeneratedinthiswaydifferfromotherwaysofcomingupwithideas
CoachNoteForamorein-depthexplorationoftheWorldCafeacuteapproachvisittheWorldCafeacutewebsiteattheworldcafecom
InOrder
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Afteryouhavedevelopedtrustwithintheteamandtheteamistransitioningfromformingtostorming
OBJECTIVES
bullTofostercuriosityandquestioningskillstobuildunderstandingbullToexperiencehowdifferentperspectivescancometogether
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsofupto12
MaterialsOnedifferentpictureforeachteammember
Time20to30minutes
SettingtheContextThestormingstageofgroupformationisuncomfortableformostteam
membersbutisanecessarysteptodevelopatransformedteamIfyouhavelaidthegroundworkandestablishedahealthyleveloftrustamongteammembersitrsquostimetogentlyleadthemintotheskillofproductivearguingAsteamcoachthisisagreatresponsibilitybecauseteammemberswilllooktoyouforsupportanddirectionastheynavigatethisstageThisgameopensthedoortoalivelydiscussionaroundhealthyconflictandhowteammemberswouldliketohandledisagreementsastheycontinuetheirworktogetherFearofconflictcanpreventateamfromtappingintotheircreativityandbecomingatrulytransformedteamsotimespentdevelopingthisskillistimewellspentUsingagamesuchasInOrderfacilitatesalivelyconversationoffering
divergentperspectivesTosolveInOrdertheteammustincorporateeveryonersquosperspectivetofindthebestsolutionwhichleadsateamtoacollaborativeoutcome
PreparationYouwillneedatleastthirtytofortyimagesforthisexerciseCutoutavariety
ofphotosfrommagazinesandadvertisementsorprintimagesyoufindonlineChooseimagessuchasanimalsnatureproductspeoplefamilylifebuildingsandstreetscenesBesuretoincludeimagesthatmayhaveseverallevelsofmeaningForexampleafamilygatheredaroundamealcouldbringtomindldquodinnerrdquoorldquofoodrdquobutcouldalsobringtomindfamilytogethernessorhowtobalanceworkandhomelifeSimilarlyaphotoofanexpensivewatchcouldsuggesttimeorpunctualitybutcouldalsorepresentluxurysuccessorpower
ProcedureShuffletheimagesandplacethemfacedownonatableorthefloorInvite
eachteammembertopickuponeimageoralternativelysimplypassoutoneimagetoeachpersonontheteamAskparticipantstotakeaminutetolookattheirspecificimageandconsiderwhatmessageorstorytheyderivefromthepictureAllowonetotwominutesofsilenceastheyformulatetheirinterpretationsRequestthattheyholdthatinterpretationinmindastheymovetothenextstepofthegameThenextstepisfortheteamtoconnecttheirimagestobuildastoryThechallengeisfortheteamtolineupincorrectorderbasedontheimage
theyareholdingWhatisthestorytheirimagescometogethertoconveyTheywillknowiftheyareincorrectorderiftheycantellastorythattakesthelistenereasilyfromoneimagetothenextTodothateachpersonfirstneedsto
easilyfromoneimagetothenextTodothateachpersonfirstneedstocommunicatehisorherinterpretationoftheimageheorsheisholdingTheteamcanthenaskquestionsanddiscusswhatorderingoftheimagesmakesthemostsenseCantheychangetheirinterpretationsYesEncourageanyandallcreativewaysinwhichtoorderthemselvesandtheirimagestotelltheirstory
VariationsGivelimitedtimefortheteamtoconnecttheirimagestobuildastory
Limitingthetimecanleadtogreaterconflictmdashtheyarenotonlytryingtomakesensefromseeminglydisjointedideasbutarealsoworkingunderpressurewhichcanleadtostressandconflict
DiscussionQuestions
1Howdidyouorganizeyourinformation2Wasaleadernecessary3Howdidyourplantakeshape4DidyourstorychangeIfsowhyIsthatokay5WhatwasthelevelofengagementoftheteammembersWhataresomereasonsforthis6DidyouexperienceanyconflictIfsohowdidyouworkthroughthat7Howwouldyouliketohandleconflictontheteam
MindtheGap
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Anytimeasagreatexerciseforteamsstartingaprojectorteamslookingforwaystheycanbemoreeffectivecanbeusedrepeatedlyduringthelifeoftheteam
OBJECTIVES
bullToidentifygapsbetweenwheretheteamisnowandwheretheywanttobeinthefuturebullToestablishactionstepstheteamcantaketogetwheretheywanttobe
GroupSize4ormore
MaterialsMaskingtapeoralengthofstringorrope
Time30minutes
SettingtheContextRidersoftheLondonUndergroundsubwaysystemarefamouslywarnedto
ldquoMindtheGaprdquoSignsandannouncementsimploretrainpassengerstousecautionastheystepacrossthegaporthespacebetweenthetraindoorandthestationplatformThegapisadangerzonehellipavoidthegaporriskbreakingaheeltwistinganankleorworse
heeltwistinganankleorworseEveryworkteamhasitsownsetofgapsmeaningthedifferencesbetween
wheretheteamisnowandwhereitwantsorneedstobeinthefutureTeamsmayexperiencegapsintechnicalskillslikecomputertrainingorequipmentmaintenancegapsinsoftskillslikeleadershipcommunicationorcustomerserviceorgapsinmeasurablethingslikesalesfigurescustomertimeonholdorthetimeittakestofulfillordersTheteamcoachplaysanimportantroleinhelpinggroupsanalyzeandidentify
theirgapsandthenmappingoutthetasksandactionstepsnecessarytobridgethegaps
PreparationMarkastraightlineapproximatelyfifteenfeetlongonthegroundwith
maskingtapeoralengthofstringorrope
ProcedureHavetheentireteamstandononesideofthelineSaytotheteamldquoImagine
wearestandingatatrainstationwiththelineonthegroundrepresentingtheedgeoftheplatformTheplatformsymbolizeswhereyouasateamarerightnowIwillbecallingoutseveralcategoriesForeachcategoryIcalloutpleasestepofftheplatformbytakingastepacrossthelinetowardanimaginarytrainwaitingatthestationThetrainrepresentswheretheteamneedstobeIfyoufeelthereisabiggapbetweenwheretheteamisnowandwhereitneedstobepleaserepresentthatbytakingareallybigstepfromtheplatformtothetrainIfyoubelievethereislittleornogapbetweenwheretheteamisnowandwhereitneedstoberepresentthatbytakingaverysmallstepfromtheplatformtothetrainrdquoCalloutacategoryfromthelistbelowGiveeveryoneafewmomentsto
reflectonthecategorythenhaveeveryonetaketheirsteponthecountofthreeAftereveryonehastakentheirstepinviteteammemberstosharethereason
theytookthesteptheydidMakenoteofcategorieswhereamajorityoftheteamperceiveswidegapsAfteryouaredonereviewthecategorieswiththeteamandhavethem
identifythethreethathadthewidestgapsForeachofthesethreecategoriesgivetheteamafewminutesofbrainstormingtimetocomeupwithalistofspecificactionstepsortaskstheycandotoclosethegaps
ldquoMindTheGaprdquoCategoryListChoosecategoriesfromthelistthatfollowsthatmakethemostsenseforyour
ChoosecategoriesfromthelistthatfollowsthatmakethemostsenseforyourteamFeelfreetochangethewordingoraddyourowncategoriesifnecessary
OrganizationandManagementbullRolesareclearbullJobdescriptionsareinplacebullTeammembershaveadequatetrainingbullWeholdeachotheraccountablebullWetreateachotherwithcourtesyandrespectbullWetrustoneanotherbullWemanageconflictpositivelybullWeencourageoneanotherbullWeseekfeedbackfromoneanotherbullWeencouragecreativeproblemsolvingbullExpectationsareclearlystatedbullWecelebrateoursuccessesbullFunisapartofourworkculture
EquipmentandMaterialsbullEquipmentisproperlymaintainedbullEquipmentisproperlycleanedbullEquipmentinstructionmanualsareavailablebullProceduresareinplaceforoperationofequipmentbullMaintenanceandcleaningrecordsarekeptbullMaintenanceandcleaningschedulesareadheredtobullSuppliesareavailable
FacilitiesandPremisesbullOurworkplaceiscleanbullOurworkplaceissafebullThingsareorganizedandeasytoaccessbullCommonareasarekeptcleanandtidybullWekeeptherefrigeratorcleanandthecandydishesfullbullLightingisampleforustogetourworkdonebullThenoiselevelisappropriatefortheworkwedo
DocumentationbullWerespondtoemailsinatimelymannerbullWeassumepositiveintentwhenreadingemailsfromotherteammembersbullWemaintainadequatenotesorminutestodriveactionsforwardbullWeareclearandconciseinourcommunicationbullWecommunicateinthemostappropriateway(emailface-to-facephoneorconferencecall)bullWeknowwheretoaccessthedocumentsorinformationweneedbullWekeepourdocumentationuptodateandorganized
TimebullWemanageourtimewiselybullWesetdeadlinesthatarereasonableandappropriatebullWestayfocusedonthegoalswesetbullWestartandendourmeetingsontime
MoneyandResourcesbullWehavetheresourcesweneedtooperateeffectivelybullWeworkeffectivelywithinourbudgetbullWemanageourspendingresponsibly
StaffRequirementsbullWehaveenoughstafftohandleourworkloadbullWehavetherightpeopleinplace
CustomerServicebullStaffhasasolidknowledgeofourbusinessbullStaffhasasolidknowledgeofourproductsandorservicesbullWeprojectaprofessionalimagebullWeprovideconsistentservicebullCommunicationbetweenstaffandmanagementisclearandopenbullProblemsareanticipatedbullTeammembersbuildrapportwithcustomers
bullTeammembersaskquestionstounderstandcustomersrsquoneedsbullTeammembersrecommendtherightsolutionstocustomerproblemsbullTeammembersrespondtocomplaintseffectivelybullTeammembershandleangryorunreasonablecustomerseffectivelybullStaffdealswithpressuresandorlonglinespositively
TipsMakethephraseldquoMindtheGaprdquoapartoftheteamrsquosvocabularyItrsquosafun
waytobuildamind-setofcontinuousimprovementwithinthegroupRemindthegroupthatgapsexistwitheveryworkteamandthatgapsdonrsquot
meanspecificindividualsareatfault
DiscussionQuestions
1Whydidyoutakethesizestepyoudid2Whatarethethreebiggestgapsforyourteam3Forthethreebiggestgapswhataresomeactionstepsyoucantaketocloseeachgap4Whatgapsareyouseeingthatothersarenotseeing5Whatgapsareothersseeingthatyouarenotseeing6WhatdoyouasanindividualneedtodoWhatareyouaccountablefor7Howcanteammembersholdeachotheraccountable8Whatfeedbackcanyouprovideeachothertohelpstayontrack
TeamPicture
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenstartinganewteamproject
OBJECTIVES
bullTodesigndefineandgetbuy-intonewprojectrolesandresponsibilitiesbullTothinkdifferentlybeforedivingintoanewproject
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsFlip-chart paper or poster boardmasking tapeor painterrsquos tape paper
coloredmarkerspens
Time30to40minutes
SettingtheContextThroughoutthelifeofateamthereareoftenprojectstheteamwillundertake
mdashprojectswithadeadlineandspecificgoalsTheseprojectsgiveteamsawonderfulopportunitytoregroupandtodesignanddefinerolesexpectations
wonderfulopportunitytoregroupandtodesignanddefinerolesexpectationsandgrowthopportunitiesTheygiveachanceforteammemberstostepoutoftheircomfortzonesandtrysomethingnewinasupportiveenvironment
PreparationWritethenameoftheprojectonthetopofaflip-chartpageorposterboard
andtapeittothewall
ProcedureExplainthenewprojectalongwithdeliverablesandtimelineAskteam
memberstoconsiderthenewprojectandwhatroletheywouldliketoplayontheprojectInviteteammemberstostepoutsidetheircurrentroleandconsiderarolethatmaybeastretchorgrowthopportunityPassoutthepapermarkersandpensAskteammemberstotaketwominutestoreflectonthequestionldquoWhatisyouridealroleonthisprojectrdquotogetclarityfortheiranswerThenaskthemtodrawapictureofthatrolealongwithanywordsthatdepictaclearpictureofhowtheyseethemselvescontributingtotheprojectAllowabouttenminutesforthisstepoftheprocessOnceeveryoneisfinishedwiththeirpictureshavethemgouponeatatimeto
tapetheirpictureontheposterandpresenttheirdesiredroletotheteamSixtoeightpictureswillfitneatlyontoaposterboardorflipchartbutitisokayifthepicturesextendpasttheedgesoftheboardAfterallthepicturesareontheposterworkwiththeteamtoorganizetherolesandresponsibilitiesdepictedinthedrawingsGathertheteamaroundtheposteronthewallforthisdynamicpartoftheprocessIfyouhaveanyrolesthatarethesameputthepicturesontopofeachotherandgroupsimilarpicturestogetherHaveteammembersstepintohelprearrangethepicturesWhenthisisdoneyouwillhaveaclearpictureoftherolesandmoreimportantlyanygapsthatareidentifiedInvitetheteamtolookattheoverallpictureHerearesomequestionstoguidethispartoftheprocessldquoWhatredundanciesdoyouseeArethoseredundanciesneededforthesuccessoftheprojectWhatrolesareneededforthisprojectthataremissingfromtheposterArethereanyrolesandresponsibilitiesthatarecriticaltothisprojectthatshouldbeaddedtothedrawingsrdquoBasedontheanswershaveindividualsaddtoorrefinetheirpicturesAtthispointhaveteammemberscreatecoachingpartnershipsAnexample
ofacoachingpartnershipwouldbepartneringwithsomeonewhoisalreadyproficientintheroleanotherteammemberhaschosentotakeonThelearningpartnerwouldthenaskthecoachingpartnerquestionsthatwouldhelphimorhertobesuccessfulThecoachrsquosjobisnottotellthelearnerwhattodobutrathertobeopentoansweringthequestionsthelearnerasks
beopentoansweringthequestionsthelearnerasksAfterthepartnersworktogetherbringtheteambacktogetherasagroupfora
discussionThisactivitywillbemosteffectiveifteammemberscommittosupportingoneanotherandcheckinginwitheachotheronaregularbasis
DiscussionQuestions1Nowthatyouhavechosenyourroleandgainedsomeinsightwhatelsedoyouneedtotacklethisproject2Whatcansupportyou3Whatareyoumostexcitedabout4Howcanteammemberssupporteachothergoingforward5Whataresomewaysyoucancheckinwitheachothertomakesureeveryoneisontrack
NametheOracle
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tofosteracollaborativeenvironment
OBJECTIVES
bullToincreasecollaborationbullTodemonstratetheimportanceoflistening
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsNone
Time15to20minutes
SettingtheContextThisisafunandeasygametoplaythatdemonstratesthepowerofteamwork
ThisisafunandeasygametoplaythatdemonstratesthepowerofteamworkandcollaborationandtheimportanceofeffectivelisteningNopreparationormaterialsareneeded
PreparationNone
ProcedureAskforfourtosixvolunteersHavethemcometothefrontoftheroomand
formalineshouldertoshoulderTellthemthattheyareldquotheOraclerdquoandhavebeenimpartedwiththewisdomoftheuniverseTheyknowallseeallandwillshareallwhenaskedTellthegroupmembersintheaudiencethatthisistheirluckydaybecausetheOraclecanansweranyquestiontheyhaveeverhadThekeyisthattheOraclemayonlyspeakonewordatatimebyoneteammemberatatimeAsksomeoneintheaudienceforaquestionThenstartatoneendoftheOracleandaskthefirstpersontosayonewordtostartasentencetoanswerthequestionThesecondpersonprovidesthesecondwordandsoforthdownthelineaseachpersonaddsoneworduntilthethoughtiscompleteIfthesentenceisnrsquotfinishedafterthelastpersonthesentencegoesbacktothefirstpersonandbackdownthelineasmanytimesasneededWhentheOracleteamfeelstheansweriscompletethelastpersonwillsayldquoPeriodrdquothusendingthesentenceandtheanswerRepeatuntiltheOraclehashadachancetoanswerseveralquestions
RulesbullAudiencemembersmayaskanyquestionbullTheOraclemayonlyanswerwithonewordspokenbyoneteammemberinsequenceatatimebullWhenthesentenceiscompletethenextOraclememberwillsayldquoPeriodrdquo
DiscussionQuestions1AsktheOraclemembersldquoHowdidthatfeelrdquo2AsktheaudienceldquoWhatdidyounoticerdquo3Whatlessoncanyoulearnfromthis
VariationsIfyouhavemorethanthirtypeopleyoumightwanttobreakintogroupsof
tenwithfivepeopleastheOracleandfivepeopleintheaudienceformore
tenwithfivepeopleastheOracleandfivepeopleintheaudienceformoreopportunitiestoparticipateandinteract
WhatDoWeWant
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tocreateavisionofthedesiredfuture
OBJECTIVES
bullTomoveawayfromnegativitybullToclarifywhatthefuturecouldhold
GroupSizeAnyMaterialsColored construction paper crayons colored pencils or markers flip-
chartpaperorlargewhiteboardanddry-erasemarkersstickynotes
Time30to60minutes
SettingtheContextThisgameisafunwaytoco-createtheteamrsquosdesiredfuture
PreparationHaveallofthematerialsavailableonatableThinkaboutacoupleofkey
questionsyouwanttheteamtoanswerorusethequestionsintheProceduresection
ProcedureSayldquoWeareinchargeofcreatingourteamrsquosfutureIrsquodlikeeachofyouto
takeapieceofpaperandamarkeranddrawapictureofhowyouseetheteaminthreeyearsHowareyouoperatingWhatareyoudoingHowdoesitfeeltobepartoftheteamOrdrawwhatevercomestomindasyouthinkabouttheteamrsquosfuturestateYouwillhavetenminutestodrawArtistictalentdoesnrsquotmatterstickfiguresarefinerdquoOncethedrawingsarecompleteaskforvolunteerstosharetheirdrawingand
whatitmeanstothemPosteachonthewallafterithasbeendiscussed
whatitmeanstothemPosteachonthewallafterithasbeendiscussedContinueuntileveryonehassharedThenusingtheflip-chartpaperorwhiteboardbeginbyaskingldquoWhatarethe
commonthreadsrdquoCreatethreecolumnswiththeheadingsldquoWhatwewantmoreofrdquoldquoWhatwewantlessofrdquoandldquoWhatweneedtobeginrdquoAseachpersonsharesanideaencouragehimorhertowriteitonasticky
noteandpostitintheappropriatecolumnContinuetoaskforideasuntiltheteamdecidesthecolumniscomplete
RulesbullBecauseyouarevisioningthereisnojudgmenttherearenobadideasandnothingmaybeconsideredimpossibleatthispointbullEveryonecontributestotheconversation
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwasitliketobepartofthispowerfulconversation2Howhaveyourfeelingsabouttheteamrsquosfuturestateshiftedsinceyoustarted3Whatwillhelpyoumovetoachievethisvision4Whatwouldyouliketotacklefirst
CoachNoteAgoodoptionwouldbetousetheWherersquostheControlgame(page135)nextIfsokeepthestickynotescreatedinthisgametouseinWherersquostheControl
Yes
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Todemonstratethepowerofpositivewordsandthought
OBJECTIVEbullTofeeltheimpactoffullcooperationbullTogetpeoplethinkingoutsidetheircomfortzone
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsNone
Time15minutes
SettingtheContextThisgamehelpsteammembersbecomemoreopentosuggestionandprovides
afunsafewaytodemonstratetheimpacttheirwordshaveItisafungamethatletspeoplegetlooseandabitsillywhichhelpsthegroupbondItisagreatactivitytousebeforebrainstormingtohighlightthepointthatallideasaregood
activitytousebeforebrainstormingtohighlightthepointthatallideasaregoodideasduringbrainstorming
PreparationCreateanopenspaceintheroomoroutsideIfindoorspaceislimitedbesure
thatanypotentialobstaclesareremovedtofreeupspace
ProcedureAskeveryonetostandpushintheirchairsandremoveanythingfromthe
floorthatmightbetrippedoverOrmovethegroupoutsideTellthemyouwillstartbycallingoutasuggestionforexampleldquoLetrsquoseatsouprdquoorldquoLetrsquosgoswimmingrdquoTheywillenthusiasticallyshoutldquoYesrdquoandraisetheirhandstotheskyandthenbeginpantomimingthatactivityastheymovearoundtheroomTellthemthataftertenorfifteensecondsanyoneelsecanshoutoutanotherideaandthewholegroupwillenthusiasticallyshoutldquoYesrdquoandraisetheirhandstotheskyandthenbeginpantomimingthatactivityastheycontinuemovingaroundtheroomContinuethisforseveralminutesIfpeoplearehesitantyoumayasksomeonetoselectandshoutoutanidea
RulesbullWhateverthesuggestioneveryoneistoshoutldquoYesrdquoandraisetheirhandstotheskybullContinuemovingaroundthespacebullAllsuggestionsarevalid
DiscussionQuestions1Howdiditfeeltohaveyourideaaccepted2Howdidtheenergyintheroomchangeduringtheexercise3Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourself4Howcanyoubecomemoreopentonewideas5Whatcanyoutakebacktoyourldquonormalrdquoteammeetings
6
ShapingthePlan
Thistimelikealltimesisaverygoodoneifwebutknowwhattodowithit
mdashRalphWaldoEmerson
MarshmallowChallenge
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toexplorecreativityfreethinkingandteamwork
OBJECTIVES
bullTobuildatallfreestandingstructurewithspecificsuppliesinalimitedtimebullTouseteamworkandcreativitytoachievethegoal
GroupSizeAnysplitintoteamsof5or6
MaterialsAbrownpaperlunchbagforeachteamcontaining20sticksofuncooked
spaghetti (not thin angel hair or thick fettuccine) one yard of string onepair of scissors and one regular-sizemarshmallow one yard ofmaskingtapeperteamaslideorflip-chartpagelistingtherulesatimerortimingfunctiononabigscreenatapemeasureoptionalmusicprizes
Time20to30minutes
PreparationPlaceallofthematerialsinsidethebrownpaperbagforeachteamexceptthe
PlaceallofthematerialsinsidethebrownpaperbagforeachteamexcepttheyardofmaskingtapefastenthetapetothesideofeachteamrsquostablesoitdoesnrsquotsticktogetherPosttherules
ProcedureExplaintherulesStatethatthegoalistobuildthetallestfreestanding
structureoutofthesuppliesprovidedAllsuppliesdonotneedtobeusedhoweverthepaperbagcannotbeusedandthemarshmallowmustbeusedinitsentiretyontopofthestructureReviewthepostedrulesatleasttwiceSometeamswillwanttocheatsothe
clearertherulesthebetterStartthetimerforeighteenminutesTurnonthemusicifdesiredProvidetimeremindersatnineminutesthenatfiveminutesthreeminutesoneminuteandthirtysecondsandthenafinalenergeticNewYearrsquosEvendashstyleten-secondcountdownWalkaroundtheroomobservingpatternsandactivityProvideencouragementandfostersomefriendlycompetitionRemindthemthatthestructuremustbefreestandingWhentimeiscalledaskeveryonetobeseatedsothatallthestructurescanbeseenStarttomeasurethestandingstructuresfromshortesttotallestIfkeepingscoreasksomeonetocapturetheheightsonaflipchartornotepadIfaprizeisoffereditgoestotheteamthathasbuiltthetallestfreestandingstructureTheprizecouldbeastandingovation
RulesbullUseasmuchoraslittleofthekitcontentsthoughthepaperbagmaynotbeusedbullThespaghettistringandtapecanbebrokenorcutasdesiredbullTheentiremarshmallowmustbeontopofthestructureIfthemarshmallowiscutoreatentheteamisdisqualifiedbullThestructuremustbefreestandingitcannotbesuspendedfromalightfixtureorotherobjectThisiscausefordisqualificationbullAttheendthestructuremustbefreestandinginthatnoteammembermayholdontoitforstabilityThisiscausefordisqualificationbullThechallengewillrunforeighteenminutes
DiscussionQuestions1Whatassumptionsdidyoumake2Whatsupportedyoursuccess3Whatgotintheway
4Howdidyouworkasateam5IthasbeenshownthatkindergartenstudentscreatebettertallerstructuresthanbusinessschoolstudentsWhydoyouthinkthatistrue6Whatlessonscanyoulearnfromthisgamethataretransferabletoourworkingenvironment
CoachNoteFormoreinformationreviewtheentireactivityandbackgroundinformationatwwwMarshmallowChallengecom
PasstheBuck
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tohavepeoplelearnmoreaboutcooperationandhandlingcompetingpriorities
OBJECTIVES
bullTogetpeopleworkingtogetherbullTohavefunandincreaseenergythroughaction
GroupSizeUpto12people
MaterialsStopwatch or timer a one-dollar bill a variety of objects of different
sizestexturesandweightssuchascoinsbagofcandyfullwaterbottlestaplermagazinetennisballthumbdriveopencoffeemugfilledhalfwaywithwaterbaseballcapkeyssunglasses
Time15minutes
SettingtheContextThisisafunenergizinggametogetpeopleworkingtogetherPlaythisgame
anytimeyouwanttorechargeenergylevelsThisgameisparticularlyapplicabletoworkbecausetheteammustincreasethepacesethigherproductivitystandardsandlookforopportunitiestoimprovetheprocess
PreparationGatherthesuppliesaheadoftimeMakesureyouhaveenoughobjectssothat
everybodygetsone
ProcedureInvitetheteamtoformacircleeitherseatedorstandingPassouttheobjects
soeverybodygetsonemakingsuresomeonehasthedollarbillThispersonwillbeknownastheldquobuckholderrdquoTelltheteamldquoThegoalofthisactivityistopassyoursetofobjectsaround
thecirclethreetimesEverybodymuststartthegamewithoneitemThepersonwiththedollarbillorthelsquobuckholderrsquowillbethestartingandstoppingpointforscoringIwillbeyourofficialtimekeeperWhenIsaylsquoGorsquostartpassingtheitemsaroundthecircleAfterthebuckhasmadethreecompletecircuitscalloutlsquoDonersquoandIwillstopthetimerIfanyitemdropsyoumuststarttheprocessagainrdquoPlayoneroundtoestablishabenchmarkThenchallengethegroupto
decreasetheirtimeby20percentForexampleiftheirtimewas100secondstheirnewchallengewillbetoshave20secondsofftheirscoremakingtheirnewtimegoal80secondsGivetheteamtwominutesbeforetheroundbeginstobrainstormwaystoimprovetheirscorePlaythesecondroundandannouncetheirtimePlayathirdandfourthroundchallengingtheteamtosetevenhigher
standardsAskldquoCanyoucontinuetoimproverdquoAllowsometimefortheteamtosettheirownstandardfortheseroundsandtobrainstormsomenewideas
RulesbullEveryonemusttouchandpasseveryobjectbullThepersonwiththeone-dollarbill(theldquobuckholderrdquo)isthestartingandstoppingpointformeasuringthetimebullIfanobjectisdroppedyoumuststartover
DiscussionQuestions1HowdiditfeelhandlingthevariousobjectsWeresomeeasierthanothers2Whatdidyoulearn3Howisthislikeldquoraisingthebarrdquoatworkorinyourindustry4Howisthissimilartothewayyouapproachchallengesatwork5Whatinnovationsoccurred
CoachNotePasstheBuckistransferablebacktotheteamrsquosworkbyfocusingonthebehaviorsandskillsthatarepracticedinthegameIfoneobjectcanholdsomeoftheotherobjectsateammaywanttoattachorcombinethemYouwilldetermineifthisisacceptableornotIfitcomesupincludeitinthedebriefing
PictureThis
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Atthestartofanewprojectortohelpbreakaprojectdownintospecificactionsteps
OBJECTIVES
bullTocreateavisualdepictionoftheteamrsquosprojectorgoalbullToidentifytheactionstepstheymustcompletetoachievethegoal
GroupSizeUpto20
MaterialsPlentyofpaperpensandmarkers
Time30to45minutes
SettingtheContextThisactivityisinspiredbyZoomalovelychildrenrsquosbookbyIstvanBanyai
ZoomcontainsnowordsonlyaseriesofcolorfulillustrationsthatcreatetheeffectofacameraslowlyzoomingouttoprovideanewperspectiveEach
illustrationrevealsimportantnewdetailsandconnectstothenextpageinalogicalcohesivewayIfjustoneillustrationisleftoutthestoryfallsapartItrsquosawonderfulmetaphorforworkprojectsthatrequiremultiplesequentialstepstocomplete
PreparationNoneProcedureHaveteammembersthinkaboutacurrentgoalorprojecttowhichtheyare
collectivelycommittedTellthemtoenvisionwhatitwilllooklikewhenthegoalhasbeenreachedortheprojectcompletedNexthavethemconsideralloftheactionstepstheymusttaketogetfromwheretheyarenowtotheirdesiredendstateForthisactivitytheywillbecreatingapicturebookthatvisuallydepictstheiractionstepsinaseriesofdrawingsordoodlesthatlayouttheirplanfromstarttofinishHavetheteamfollowtheseinstructionsincreatingtheirpicturebook
1CreateadrawingordoodledepictingwhereyouarerightnowIfwordsarenecessaryusethemsparinglyThiswillbethefirstpageofyourbook2CreateadrawingordoodledepictingyourgoalachievedoryourprojectcompletedAgainusewordssparinglyThiswillbethelastpageofyourbook3NowdrawasetofpicturesshowingalltheintermediatestepsthatwillgetyoufrompageonetothefinalpageofyourbookUseallthepaperyouneedmakingsurethateachpagedepictsonespecificactionstepWordsshouldbeusedsparinglyifatall
SplituptheworkloadassigningtwotothreepeopletoillustrateeachpageIfcertainactionstepsaretobeperformedbyspecificindividualsbesureto
labelordepicttheminyourpagesEachdrawingordoodleshouldbedetailedenoughsothatanyoneontheteamcaneasilyunderstandtheactionstepshownoneachpageEncouragetheteamtospendsometimeplanninganddiscussingtheirgoal
andactionstepsbeforetheystartillustratingtheirbookMakesureeverymemberoftheteamcontributestothedrawingsremindingeveryonethatnoonewillbejudgedforartisticabilityAftertheyhavefinishedhavetheteamreviewtheirbookandsummarizethe
actionstepstheyhavecreatedFinallyputallthepagesinthecorrectorderandhangthemaroundtheofficeorsharethemviaemailasdescribedonthenextpage
page
TipsBringacopyofZoomtoyourmeetingandshareitwiththeteampriorto
startingthisactivityHavetheteamdotheZoomactivityfoundinTheBigBookofLow-Cost
TrainingGamesbyMaryScannellandJimCainPosttheteamrsquosactionstepdrawingsaroundtheofficeandhavethem
celebrateaftereachstephasbeencompletedScanallthepagesandemailacopyofthebooktheyhavecreatedtoeveryone
inPDFformat
DiscussionQuestions1Howwasthisexercisehelpfultoyourteam2DidyouendupwithmoreorfeweractionstepsthanyouoriginallyanticipatedWhyorwhynot3Whatactionstepsorpotentialproblemsdidthisactivityuncoverthatyouhadnotoriginallyconsidered4Doeseveryoneontheteamfullyunderstandthestepsnecessarytoachievethegoalorcompletetheproject5Whataresomewaysyoucankeeponeanotheraccountableforyourareasofresponsibility
SpeedSort
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Todiscoverteammembersrsquonaturalresponsetoworkingunderpressure
OBJECTIVES
bullToexploreteamworkleadershipandworkingunderpressurebullToengageinsomefunlightheartedcompetition
GroupSize6to15splitintoteamsof3to4
MaterialsThreedecksofplayingcardsperteam
Time25to30minutes
SettingtheContextWorkingunderpressurerevealsalotaboutateamDoteammembersreactto
WorkingunderpressurerevealsalotaboutateamDoteammembersreacttopressureandstressordotheybecomeawareofthemselvesandotherstochooseaneffectiveresponseDotheycommunicateeffectivelyorshutdown
PreparationNoneProcedureHavethegroupsplitintocompetingteamsofthreetofourpeopleeachGive
eachteamthreedecksofplayingcardsandinstructthemtocompletelyshuffleallthedeckstogethertocreateasinglebigstackofcardsTellthemthattheywillbecompetingtoseewhichteamcansorttheircardsfastestwithnomistakesThegoalistoputthecardsbacktogetherintothreecompleteseparatedecksofcardsEachdeckmustcontainallfoursuits(heartsclubsdiamondsandspades)andeachsuitmustcontainallthecardsofthatsuitarrangedinascendingorder(ace2345678910jackqueenking)GivetheteamsafewminutestoplanandstrategizebeforestartingRestateto
theteamsthattheymustsorttheircardswithnomistakesthensayldquoGordquoandlettheracebeginInyourroleasteamcoachpayattentiontohowpeopleinteractwithineachof
theteamsForexamplesometeamsmaybrainstormtocomeupwithaneffectivegameplanwhileotherteamsmaybeoverlyeagertobeginandskiptheplanningphasecompletelySeeifyounoticeanyconnectionsbetweenwhathappensintheplanningphaseandhowwellteamsperformduringtheactualraceAftertheteamsfinishtheraceinspectthefastestteamrsquoscardstoseeifthey
weresortedcorrectlyIftheyweredeclarethemthewinnerIftheywerenotmoveontothenextfastestteamandinspecttheircardsContinuedoingthisuntilyoufindthewinningteam
DiscussionQuestions1Howdidyoudoasateam2DidyoucomeupwithastrategyduringtheplanningphaseWhatwasit3Howwelldidtheteamexecuteyourstrategy4DescribeanysetbacksorchallengesyourteamexperiencedHowdidyourespond5DidthefactthatthiswasaraceaffectyourteamrsquosperformanceInwhatways6Wereanyrolesassignedordidanyrolesemergeduringtheactivity
7Whateffectdoesworkingunderpressurehaveonyourteaminreallife8Whatlessonscanyoulearnfromthisactivitythataremeaningfulforyourteam
CoachNoteUsedecksofcardsthataresimilarinsizeandcolortoincreasethechallengelevelUsedecksofdifferentsizeandcolortodecreasethechallengelevelWithmultipleteamsbeconsistentwiththeirdecks
TallestTower
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toreigniteateamrsquoscommitmenttoworkingtogether
OBJECTIVES
bullToconsiderthethingsthatenhanceandhinderteamworkbullTobuildeffectivecommunicationandcollaborationskills
GroupSizeAminimumof6twoteamsofatleast3people
MaterialsRequiredBuilding blocksbricks that can be hooked together such as the Lego
brandandonebaseforeachteamof3to6peopletapemeasuretimerpenandpaper
Time30to40minutes
SettingtheContextCollaborationandteamworkareessentialcomponentsofeffectiveteams
WhenteammembersfindthemselvesoverwhelmedbyataskoradeadlineitisnotuncommonforthemtoputtheirheadsdownandgettoworkforgettingtheyhaveateamtosupportthemThisactivityisthespringboardtoanin-depthdiscussiononateamcommitmenttoworkingtogether
PreparationDividetheblocksintoequalpartssothateachteamhasthesamenumberof
andsameshapeblockstoworkwithAbout150Legobricksforeachteamisagoodnumber
ProcedureThisthree-partactivityfocusesoncollaborationteamworkandthe
importanceofcommunicationThelevelofpartnershipandteamworkisincreasedincrementallywitheachpartoftheexercisewhichallowsteammemberstocompareresultsastheyworkmorecollaborativelyBeginbyaskingtheteamldquoWhatdoesislooklikewhenpeoplework
effectivelytogetherWhatdoesitfeellikewhenpeopleworkeffectively
effectivelytogetherWhatdoesitfeellikewhenpeopleworkeffectivelytogetherrdquoSpendaboutfiveminutesdiscussingthelookandfeelofaneffectiveteamNextsplitthegroupintoatleasttwodifferentworkingteamsTheideal
numberforaworkingteamisthreetosixpeopleGiveeachteamonesetofbricksandonebuildingbaseYoucaneasilyfindthesematerialsonline(orborrowthemfromyourchildren)IntroducetheactivityEachteamwillusethematerialstobuildthetallest
towertheycanwiththematerialsprovidedLeteachteamknowtheyhavethesameamountofbrickstocompletetheprojectExplainthatthisactivityhasthreeroundsandthateachroundhasadifferentlevelofteamwork
RoundOneSayldquoEachgroupmustbuildthetallesttowerpossibleusingonlythebricks
providedtothemInthisroundyouarenotallowedtocommunicatewitheachotherverballyorinwritingYouhavetenminutestobuildyourtowerrdquoAftertenminutesmeasureandrecordtheheightofeachteamrsquostowerLeada
five-minutediscussionaskingthesequestions
bullHowsatisfiedareyouwithyourresultsbullHowdidthelackofcommunicationimpactyourabilitytoworktogethereffectivelybullDescribehowyousetaboutaccomplishingyourtaskbullDidyouworkindividuallyorasateambullDidyoucooperateorcompeteWhybullCouldyouhavedonebetterWhatwouldyouchange
Askgroupstodismantletheirtowerstogetreadyforthenextround
RoundTwoSayldquoInthisroundyoumaycommunicateinanywayyouchooseYourteam
needstobuildanothertowerthegoalistobuildthissecondtowertallerthanyourfirstoneYouwillhavetenminutestobuildyournewtallertowerrdquoInthisroundteamsusuallyfinishbeforethetimeisupWhenallteamsare
finishedagainmeasureandrecordtheheightofeachteamrsquostowerComparetheseresultstothosefromroundoneLeadanotherfive-minutediscussionaskingthesequestions
bullHowsatisfiedareyouwithyourresultsthistime
bullHowsatisfiedareyouwithyourresultsthistimebullWhatwasdifferentabouthowyouaccomplishedyourtaskinroundtwobullWhatdidyounoticeaboutthelevelofcooperationandenergyduringthisroundbullWhatdoesitsoundlikeorwhatdoyouhearwhenpeopleworktogethereffectivelybullHowdoesthiscomparetoteamswhoarenotworkingtogethereffectivelybullFromthiswhatcouldyourteamdotobemoreeffectivetogether
Askgroupstodismantletheirtowerstogetreadyforthenextround
RoundThreeSayldquoInthisfinalroundyouareallonebigteamandmaycombineyour
resourcesThatisyoucanuseallthebricksfromalltheteamsandaswellasthecollectiveknowledgeandexperienceyougainedinroundsoneandtwoYouonlyhavetenminutesforthisfinalroundsopleasekeeptrackbecauseyouneedtoself-manageyourtimerdquoAftertenminutesmakeabigshowoutofmeasuringthenewcollaborative
towerandcomparingtheresultstothosefromthepreviousroundsLeadthefinaldebriefingdiscussionwiththesequestions
bullHowdidyouorganizeyourlargerworkforcebullHowdidyoumanagetotakeadvantageoftheextendedworkforcebullDidyouborrowideasfromgroupswhoperformedbetterinpreviouspartsordidyouputcertainindividualsinchargebasedontheirpastperformancebullDoyouthinkyouweremoresuccessfulasalargerteamordoyouthinkitwasmoreefficienttoworkinsmallerteamssuchasinroundtwobullYouidentifiedspecificthingsaboutthewayaneffectiveteamlooksfeelsandsoundshowdidyouseethosethingsdemonstratedduringthisroundbullWhatdidyoulearnaboutworkingtogethereffectively
WherersquostheControl
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tounderstandwhatiswithintheteamrsquoscontrol
OBJECTIVES
bullTomoveawayfromnegativitybullTofocusonwhatcanbeachieved
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsFlip-chart paper markers one set of Wherersquos the Control Cards
scissorstape
Time15minutes
SettingtheContextThisisanexcellentwaytofocustheteamonwhatiswithintheirsphereof
controlandinfluence
PreparationHaveallmaterialsavailableDrawthegridbelowonaflip-chartpage
ReproduceandcutuponesetofWherersquostheControlCards
ProcedureUnveiltheflip-chartpageasyoubegintheactivitySayldquoWeashuman
beingsoftenspendasignificantamountoftimetalkingaboutwhatrsquoswrongandhowwearehelplesstoimproveorchangethingsYetthereisoftenquiteabitthatiswithinourcontrolorinfluenceLetrsquoslookatsomeitemsanddeterminewhichiswhichrdquoExplainthatyouwillreadoneofthecardsandthegroupwilldiscusswhether
itiswithintheteamrsquoscontrol(oneoralloftheteammemberscanimpactthis)withintheteamrsquosinfluence(theycantalkwithsomeoneorinfluenceanothertotakeaction)oroutsidetheircontrolReadthefirstcardandengagethegroupindiscussion(HintSometimesthe
discussionisfarmorevaluablethantheactualcardplacementasitshowswherethereisoptimismpessimismstrengthetc)Whenthereisdisagreementcontinuethediscussionuntilthegroupagreeswherethecardshouldgo
RulesbullEveryitemgoesontotheflipchartbullEveryonecontributestotheconversation
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwasitliketobepartofthisconversation2Whatdidyounoticeabouthowyouviewthings3Howmightthishelpyouonfutureprojects
CoachNoteIfyouchoosetousethisgameafterWhatDoWeWant(page115)usethestickynotesfromthatactivityratherthanthecardsprovidedinthisgame
WherersquostheControl
HANDOUT
WherersquostheControlCards
Ahurricane
Healthyeating
Lengthofteammeetings
Nextyearrsquosteambudget
Savingmoney
Federallegislationaffectingourindustry
Improvingliteracyofchildreninourcommunity
Visibilityofourteamwithinourorganization
Havingfunatteammeetings
Companysales
Improvingtheskillsneededforourjobs
Customerservice
EatingicecreamonTuesday
Whattimemyworkdayends
WhatIweartowork
WhenIeatlunch
7
ExecutingtheGamePlan
PurposealwaysservesmdashitisthemannerinwhichweuseourgiftstomakeadifferenceintheworldPurposeisnotpurposewithoutaddingvaluetoothersItisnotself-expressionforitsownsakeitisself-expressionthatcreatesvalueforthosearoundyou
mdashKevinCashmanAllforOne
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenteammembersputtheirownsuccessbeforetheteamrsquossuccess
OBJECTIVES
bullToresettheteamasateambullToopenadiscussiononteamloyalty
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsOne16-footlengthofropeavarietyofdifferentsizeandtypeballsfor
example tennis balls small rubber bouncy balls inflated beach ballsmarbles(oneballperperson)bucket
Time10to20minutes
SettingtheContextAstheteamgoesaboutgettingtheirworkdonetherewillbetimesthatteam
memberswillconsciouslyorunconsciouslyputthemselvesandtheirindividualaccomplishmentsaheadofthoseoftheteamThisgamecanbeusedintheformingstagebutitmaybemuchmoreeffectiveintheperformingstagetoresettheteamasateamandremindindividualsthattheyareapartofsomethingbiggerAttheveryleastitallowsteammemberstoopenlydiscussthefundamentalsofateamitrsquosagreatldquobacktobasicsrdquoactivity
PreparationTietheendsoftheropetogethertoformaropecircleandplaceitonthe
groundPlacetheballsinabucketforeasytransportForbestresultsyouwillneedalargespaceforthisgame
ProcedureInviteteammemberstospreadoutontheoutsideoftheropecircleOncethe
teamisinpositionaskthemtoreachdownandpickuptheropeusingbothhandsAtthispointyouarelookingfortheteamtoformalargecirclewiththeropewheretheyareevenlyspacedaroundthecircleWalkaroundthecirclewiththebucketofballsrequestingthateachteammemberremoveonehandofftheropetotakeoneballEachteammembershouldnowhaveoneballinonehandandbeholdingtheropewiththeotherhandOnceeveryonehasaballtelltheteamtoputtheropebackontheground
takefivelargestepsawayfromtheoutsideoftheropeputtheirballonthegroundandcomebacktotheiroriginalpositionandpickuptheropeagainNowtheyareinpositiontobeginthegameTosimulatewhatcanhappentotheteamdynamicwhenindividualteam
membersarefeelingpressurefromshortdeadlinesandtimeconstraintsusethefollowingwordingwhenintroducingthisgameSayldquoOnmylsquogorsquoeveryoneneedstoretrievetheirballwithoutlettinggoof
theropeOnetwothreegordquoSaythisquicklywithoutgivingtheteamanytimetoplanortoevenconsideroptionsNowasteamcoachpaycloseattentiontotheteamdynamicsWillthey
scrambletogettheirballdraggingtherestoftheteamalongWilltheyletgooftheropeandruntogettheirballWilltheyworktogethertoself-organizetoformaneasyplantoretrievealltheballsonebyoneensuringaldquowinrdquofortheteamasawholeWhatevertheydoisanexcellentbarometerfortheirloyaltytotheteamandcanmakeforanexcellentdiscussionthatwilleithervalidatetheir
theteamandcanmakeforanexcellentdiscussionthatwilleithervalidatetheirchosenprocess(iftheyworkedtogether)orallowtheteamtobecomeawareofthechallengesofkeepingloyaltytotheteamwhenwearefeelingpressuretoperformindividually
DiscussionQuestions1Howdidthesenseofurgencycontributetothewayyouwentabouttheactivity2Inwhatwaysdoesthisreflectthewayyougetourworkdoneundertimepressuresortightdeadlines3Ifyouhadtodoitagainwhatwouldyoudodifferently4Whatcanyoulearnaboutyourselvesfromagamelikethis5Howcanyouimproveyourteambasedontheexperienceyoucreatedduringthegame6Whatcanyoudotobecomeamoreeffectiveteammember7Howwouldyouliketobeheldaccountabletothatcommitment
BrokenSquares
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tohelptheteamdevelopaspiritofcooperationorifteammembersareholdingbackideasorresourcesorkeepingtheirguardsuptothepointthatitisdetrimentaltotheteam
OBJECTIVES
bullToworktogethertoachieveacommongoalbullToexplorethebehaviorsthataffecttheteamrsquossuccess
GroupSize6to16
MaterialsBroken Squares Puzzles cut out of cardstock or poster board (patterns
provided)markersscissorsfivelargeenvelopessixcopiesoftheBrokenSquaresTeamInstructionshandout
Time30to35minutes
SettingtheContextForthegoodoftheteamandtheorganizationitrsquosbeneficialforteam
memberstoexpandtheirscoperealizingtheirworkispartofabiggerpicture
PreparationCreatethefiveBrokenSquaresPuzzlesoutofheavycardstockorposterboard
(seethetemplatethatfollows)EachsquareshouldbeapproximatelysixinchesAfteryouhavecutupthepuzzlesintopiecesmixthepiecesofallfivepuzzlestogetherandplacefiverandomlyselectedpiecesintoeachofthefiveenvelopes
ProcedureThegroupshouldelectonepersontoplaytheroleofobserverThisperson
willnotbeonateamandwillnotparticipateinthegameTheobserverrsquosroleisdescribedintheBrokenSquaresTeamInstructionshandoutthatfollowsThenhavethegroupsplitintofiveworkteamsofonetothreepeopleeachBalancetheworkteamsasevenlyaspossiblesotheyhaveaboutthesamenumberofpeopleMakesuretoallowafewfeetofspacebetweeneachoftheworkteamsReadaloudtothegroupalltheinformationcontainedintheBrokenSquares
TeamInstructionshandoutthengivetheobserverandeachworkteamacopyofthehandouttorefertoduringtheactivityAfteralltheworkteamsgetacopyofthehandoutpassoutthefive
envelopesSaytothegroupldquoYouhavetwentyminutestoachievethegoalYoumaybeginnowrdquoAttheendoftwentyminutescalltimeCollectallthepiecesanddebriefthe
experienceusingsomeofthediscussionquestionsbelowBesuretoaskthepersonwhoplayedtheroleofobservertosharehisorherobservationsabouthowtheteamperformedtogether
DiscussionQuestions1Howdidthisactivitychallengeyou2Howwouldyoudescribethegrouprsquoslevelofcooperation3HowwillingwereyoutogiveawaypiecesWhy4DideveryonestayfullyinvolvedthroughouttheprocessWhyorwhynot5DidyounoticeanyonedominatingtheactivityIfsowhateffectdidithaveontheteam6DidanyonenoticefrustrationorimpatienceduringtheprocessIfso
whateffectdidithaveontheteam7Werethereanyahamomentsorimportantturningpointsforthegroup8Whatcanthisactivityteachyouaboutworkingtogetherinreallife
HANDOUT
BrokenSquaresTeamInstructionsYourgrouphasbeensplitintofiveworkteamsEachworkteamwill
receiveanenvelopecontainingseveralpuzzlepiecesOncethefacilitatortellsyoutostartyoumaybeginworkingtoachievethegoaldescribedbelowOnepersonfromthegroupwillplaytheroleofobserverThisperson
willnotparticipateintheactivityTheobserverrsquosjobistosimplywatchwhathappensandmakesureeveryonefollowstherulesIfsomeonebreaksaruletheobservermayintervenetowarnthatindividual
TheGoalThegoalwillbeachievedwhenthereisaperfectsquareeachofthe
samesizeinfrontofeachworkteam
RulesbullNooneisallowedtotalkorcommunicateinanywayTheuseofgesturesfacialexpressionsorbodylanguagetocommunicateisforbiddenbullNoonemayaskforapiecefromanotherpersonorusegesturesorbodylanguagetoindicatethatheorshewantsapiecebullHoweveranyonemaygiveapiecetoanyoneelsefromanyteamatanytimebullYoumaynotplaceyourpiecesinthemiddleareaforotherpeopletotakebullYoumayuseonlythepuzzlepiecesprovided
CUTOUT
BrokenSquaresPuzzleTemplate
Go
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenteammembersareblamingothersontheteamfortheteamrsquosfailures
OBJECTIVES
bullToconsideranotherperspectivebullTobuildandpracticequestioningskills
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsNone(Optionalmaskingtapeorplacemarkers)
Time20to30minutes
SettingtheContextEventhebestteamsdonrsquotliketofailEventhebestteammemberssometimes
blameothersforthemistakesoftheteamWeallliketothinkwearewillingto
blameothersforthemistakesoftheteamWeallliketothinkwearewillingtobeheldaccountablebutifwearerelyingonsomeoneelsetodoourjobeffectivelywesometimesfallshortThisisadynamicgamethatdemonstratesthattheteamfailstogetherandsucceedstogetherandthateveryonehassomethingtocontributefortheteamtobesuccessful
PreparationAnopenareaisrequiredwithenoughspacesotheteamcanstandinacircle
withaboutanarmrsquoslengthbetweeneachpersonMakesureteammembersareequallyspacedWhilenomaterialsarenecessaryyoumaychoosetousemaskingtapeorplacemarkerstocreatethecirclebeforehandplacingamarkerwhereyouwouldlikeeachpersontostand
ProcedureOncetheteamisstandinginacircleexplaintothemthatwhenthegame
beginstheonlywordanyoneisallowedtospeakisthewordldquoGordquoThewordldquoGordquocanonlybesaidaftermakingeyecontactwithsomeoneacrossthecircleYouwillbeginbystandinginbetweentwooftheequallyspacedteammembersbutyouwillnothaveanofficialspotinthecircleTelltheteamthattogetthegamestartedyouwillmakeeyecontactwithsomeonefromacrossthecircletogethisorherattentionwiththeintentofgettingthatpersontosayldquoGordquosothatyoumayleaveyourspaceandstartthegameWhenonepersonsaysldquoGordquotoyouwhichcanonlybesaidaftermakingeyecontactyouwillstartwalkingataslowpacetowardthepersonwhotoldyoutogoThechallengeisforthepersonwhotoldyoutogotomakeeyecontactandgetsomeonetotellhimorhertogobeforeyougettohisorherspotAtthispointbeforeplayinggoovertherules
RulesbullNothingcanbesaidbesidesthewordldquoGordquobullOnlyonepersoncanoccupyaspotatatimebullYoumaynotleaveyourspotunlesssomeonehastoldyoutogoandonlyafteryoursquovetoldsomeoneelsetogobullYoumayonlysayldquoGordquoifyouhavemadeeyecontactwiththepersonwhoneedsyourhelpsothatheorshecanmoveoutofhisorherspotbullIfapersontriestooccupyaspotbeforethespotholderhastimetogetsomeoneelsetotellhimorhertogotheroundendsbullAfterreadingtheteamtherulessayldquoLetrsquosgetstartedrdquoandstartthegamebygettingsomeonetomakeeyecontactwithyouandsaythewordldquoGordquobullIfapersonattemptstoenteraspotbeforethespotholderhastimetoget
bullIfapersonattemptstoenteraspotbeforethespotholderhastimetogetsomeonetotellthespotholdertogotheroundendsTakethatopportunitytoallowtheteamtoassesstheirstrategyandmakeanyadjustmentsorplansContinuewithadditionalroundsuntiltheteamunderstandstheprocessandcangettheteammovinginafluidmotionandeveryonehashadachancetoldquoGordquo
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwaschallengingorfrustratingaboutthisgame2Whenmistakesweremadeinearlyroundswhowastoblame3Howimportantwasittohaveaplan4OnceyouhadaplanwereyouimmediatelysuccessfulWhyorwhynot5Whatdidldquohelprdquolooklikeinthisgame6Whatdidittakefortheteamtosucceed7Howdoesagamelikethisrelatetoworkingbettertogether
LemonstoLemonade
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Afterteammembershavegottentoknoweachotherandsometrusthasbeenestablished
OBJECTIVES
bullToincreasetrustandcreateasupportiveteamclimatebullTobecomecomfortableaskingforhelpandfeedbackfromoneanother
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsof4to5
MaterialsSlipsofpaperandpens
Time30to45minutes
SettingtheContextItcanbeabigrisktoaskforhelpatworkManypeoplefearthatseekinghelp
intheworkplacewillmakethemlookstupidorcausethemtobeseenasweakor
intheworkplacewillmakethemlookstupidorcausethemtobeseenasweakorindecisiveAsaresultcostlymistakesmaybemadeandgreatideasmayneverseethelightofdayAhealthyleveloftrustamongteammemberscanresultinmuchmorepositiveoutcomesTeamswithatrustingandsupportiveclimateallowmemberstoseekoutideasandinputfromeachotherwithoutfearofjudgmentGreatideasfewercostlymistakesandbetterwaysofworkingtogetherhappenonteamswherepeoplearenotafraidtoaskforhelp
PreparationIfyouwillbesplittingthegroupintosmallerteamsbesuretoprovideenough
spacebetweentheteamsforthemtohavetheirownsemiprivatediscussionareas
ProcedureSplitalargergroupintoteamsoffourtofivepeopleeachAskteammembers
tothinkaboutawork-relatedsituationtheywishtheyhadhandleddifferentlyatsomepointintheircareerTelleveryonetoanonymouslywriteonaslipofpaperadescriptionofthecircumstancessurroundingthesituationbuttoavoiddescribingtheiractualresponseHavesomeonefromeachteamcollecttheslipsofpaperthendrawonerandomlyandreaditaloudtotherestoftheteamAlloweachpersonfromtheteamtothensharesuggestionsorgoodideasthatcouldhaveledtoabetteroutcomeAftereveryonehascontributedtheirsuggestionsandideashavetheteamdecidewhichresponsewouldleadtothebestresultRepeatthisprocessforeachofthesituationsdescribedbytheteammembers
makingsuretoallowtimeforeveryonetosharetheirgoodideasandbestpractices
VariationsForteamswithahighleveloftrusthaveteammemberssimplysharetheir
situationsaloudtotheirteaminsteadofwritingthemonslipsofpaper
DiscussionQuestions1Howdoesthisactivitybenefittheteam2Whatkeepspeoplefromaskingforhelporadvice3Whatcanteammembersdotomakeiteasytoaskforhelpfromoneanother4DoesanyonehaveacurrentsituationwhereheorshecouldusesomehelporadvicefromteammatesAllowtimeforanyonewhowishestoshare
hisorhersituationandforteammatestooffertheirideasandsuggestions
RedorBlack
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tohavepeoplelearnmoreaboutcooperationandcompetition
OBJECTIVES
bullTogetpeopleworkingtogetherbullTolookatcooperationandcompetition
GroupSize6ormore
MaterialsAdeckofplayingcardsflipchartandmarkerstimer
Time30to40minutes
SettingtheContextThisisaquickvisualwaytodemonstratetheimportanceofcooperation
versuscompetitionItisalsohelpfultolookattheassumptionstheteamsmake
versuscompetitionItisalsohelpfultolookattheassumptionstheteamsmake
PreparationCreateaflip-chartpageforthescoringHaveoneheartandoneclubcardfor
eachteamDividethegroupintoteamsofthreetofiveIdeallyyouwantatleastthreeplayersperteamtoallowforrobustdialogueastheteamsdecidewhichcolortochoose
RedBlackScoringChart
ProcedureSplitthegroupintothree(ormore)teamsofthreetofivepeopleHavethe
teamsmovetodifferentareasoftheroomExplainthattheteamswillplayfiveroundsofRedorBlackIneachroundeachteammustdecidetochoosearedorablackcardGiveeachteamoneredcard(hearts)andoneblackcard(clubs)YouwillgivetheteamstwominutestodiscusstheirchoicesGivethema
thirty-secondwarning(youcanextendthetimelaterinthegameiftherearerobustdiscussions)ThensayldquoChooseonepersontoholdupthecarddisplayingthecoloryourteamchoseWhenIcounttothreeeachgroupwillhaveonepersonholduptheteamrsquoschosencolorOnetwothreerdquoToscoretheteamslookatthecardseachteamchoseIfeveryteamchooses
blackeachteamscores50pointsIfonlyoneteamchoosesredthatteamscores100pointsandtheothersscore0Ifmorethanoneteamchoosesredallteamsscore0Thegoalistoscoreasmanypointsaspossible(donotmentionanything
aboutcompetitionamongtheteamsonlythatthegoalistoscoreldquoasmanypointsaspossiblerdquo)RecordthescoresaftereachroundAfterallfiveroundshavebeenplayedtotalthescoresforeachteam
DiscussionQuestions1Wereyoucompetingwitheachother2Didyoudiscusstheinstructionswithinyourteam3Whatfactorsimpactedyourchoices4Whendidyourealizeitwasinthebestinterestoftheteamtocooperate5Howcanyouanchorthislearningbacktoyourworkenvironment
CoachNotesThisisagreatcomplementtotheAllforOnegame(page141)theyarethematicallysimilarYetoftenthelessonslearnedfromonegamemaynotberememberedasyoumoveintothenextgameIfusingbothduringtheseconddebriefingaskldquoWhatwasoriginallylearnedHowdidyouuseorforgetthatlearningasyouplayedthesecondgamerdquoAnothervariationwouldbetohaveonepersonbetheleaderforeachteamandthatpersonwouldchoosethecolorwithoutgroupdiscussion(Ifusingthisoptionmakeitarule)ThendebriefbyaskingldquoWhatimpactdidlettingateamleaderchoosethecolorhaverdquo
StickingtotheGoal
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Beforetheteamsetsnewgoals
OBJECTIVES
bullToworkinsynctowardacommongoalbullToexerciseleadershipandcommunicationsskills
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsof5to10
MaterialsArollofstronghigh-qualityducttapeasheetofpaperperteampensor
markers
Time15to20minutes
SettingtheContextTeamworkistheabilitytoworktogethertowardacommonvisionTheabilitytodirectindividualaccomplishmenttowardorganizationalobjectivesItisthefuelthatallowscommonpeopletoattainuncommon
resultsmdashAndrewCarnegieStickingtotheGoalisafunactivitythatrequiresteam
memberstoworktogethertoachieveasharedgoalItalsoprovidescoachesagreatopportunitytoobservehowtheteamorganizesitselfwhichteammembers
stepintoleadershipandsupportroleshowwelltheteamcommunicatesandhowteammembersdealwithsetbacks
PreparationCreateastartinglineandafinishlineonthefloorusingducttapeThe
distancebetweenthemshouldbeabouttwenty-fivefeetMakeeachlineabouttenfeetlongDividelargergroupsintoteamsoffivetotenpeople
ProcedureGiveeachteamoffiveortenpeopleafewminutestodiscussandagreeona
real-lifeworkgoalthatissharedbyeveryoneonthatteamHavethemwritethatgoalonapieceofpaperthentapeittothefloororwalljustpastthefinishlineHaveeveryonestandbehindthestartinglineTellthegroupldquoNowthat
yoursquoveagreedonacommongoalyourchallengeistoworkinsynctosuccessfullyreachitForthisactivityyourwholeteammustmovetogetherasagroupuntileveryonecrossesthefinishlinerepresentingyourgoalUnfortunatelynoonersquosfeetmayphysicallytouchthegroundbetweenthelinesTomakeitacrosssuccessfullyyouwillneedsomethingtostandonUnrolltwolongstripsofducttapeabouteighttotenfeetlongandplacethemonthegroundstickysideupparalleltoeachotherjustlikeapairofskisFormasingle-filelineandhaveeveryoneonyourteamplacehisorherleftfootontheleftskiandrightfootontherightskiMakesurethateachpersonrsquosentirefootheeltotoestaysstucktotheducttapeallthewaytothefinishlineYouwillneedtocommunicateeffectivelyandstepinsynctomakeittoyourgoalGoodluckrdquoAfteryouhavereadthistotheteamgivethemafewminutestoplanand
strategizebeforestartingOncetheyarereadytobeginrestatetherulesalongwithafewsafetyremindersRules
bullTeamsmustnotriptheducttapeIfaskiripstheteammustgobacktothestartinglineandtearoffanewpieceofducttapetoreplaceitbullEveryonersquosentirefeet(heeltotoe)muststaystucktotheducttapeuntiltheteamcrossesthefinishlinebullEveryonemustwearshoestoparticipateinthisactivitySandalsarenotallowedbullEachteamshoulddesignateatleastonepersontotaketheroleofspotter
bullEachteamshoulddesignateatleastonepersontotaketheroleofspotterThespotterswillwalkalongsidetheteamandphysicallyhelpifsomeonestartstolosehisorherbalancebullObservethesesafetyguidelinesavoidsteppingoneachotherrsquosfeetdonotparticipateifyouhaveissueswithyourankleskneesorbackandbecarefulofthedominoeffectwheresomeoneloseshisorherbalanceandfallsforwardcausingeveryoneelsetotoppleover
InyourroleasteamcoachpayattentiontothegroupdynamicsthatemergeduringthisactivityAftertheyfinishdebrieftheactivityusingsomeofthediscussionquestionsbelowBesuretosharewhateverobservationsandfeedbackyoumayhavethatwillbenefittheteam
VariationsbullGetofftoaneasystartbyhavingpeopledothisinteamsoftwoAftertheymakeitacrosscombinethemintoteamsoffourpeoplefollowedbyteamsofeightItrsquospossibletoformevenlargerteamsbuttheactivitybecomesquiteabitharderonceyougobeyondtwelvepeoplebullHavetheteambrainstormfourtosixreal-lifeobstaclesthatteammembersmustovercomeonthewaytothegoaltheyidentifiedBeforetheyplaythegamehaveteammemberswriteeachobstacleonasheetofpaperthenplacethemontheflooralongthepathtothefinishlineTellteammemberstheymustskiaroundeachobstacleslalom-styleonthewaytothegoal
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwaschallengingaboutthisactivity2Didyourteamcomeupwithastrategythathelpedyousucceed3Whattypesofrolesdidpeopleplay4Didyouassignaleaderordidaleaderemergeduringtheactivity5Wasitimportanttohavealeader6Howwouldyoudescribetheteamrsquoscommunicationduringthisactivity7DidtheteamexperienceanysetbacksalongthewayIfsohowdidtheteamrespond8Whatlessonscanyourteamlearnfromthisactivitythatyoucanapplytoreallife
WhatGetsintheWay
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tofocusontheaccountabilityneededtoachieveresults
OBJECTIVES
bullTobringawarenesstotheteamrsquosneedforgreateraccountabilitybullToshowthateveryonehasroadblocksthatcanbeovercome
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsFile folders materials people have on hand (eg cell phones pads of
paperpensstickynotespicturesoffamilylaptopsiPods)
Time20minutes
SettingtheContextEverydaypeoplehavetochoosewhattodowiththeirtimeItiseasytoget
distractedandpulledawayfromwhatistrulyimportantandessentialtoreach
distractedandpulledawayfromwhatistrulyimportantandessentialtoreachonersquosgoalsThingscomeupsuchasunexpectedphonecallsemailsandday-to-daydetailsclamoringforattentionWhilewehavegoodintentionsofcompletingourldquotodordquolistitseemsthatsomethingalwaysgetsinthewayThisactivityisawaytobecomeawareofdistractionsandgainmorecontroloftheday
PreparationGathersuppliesfortheactivityonatableencouragingparticipantsto
contributetheirpersonalitemstothemix
ProcedureDividethegroupintoteamsofthreeWheneveryoneisinatriadsayldquoEvery
daypeoplehavetochoosewhattodowiththeirtimeandtherearemanycompetingprioritiesWeoftenmakecommitmentswithgoodintentionsofexecutingthemandthenlsquosomethinghappensrsquoThisisafunactivitytolookatwhatgetsinthewayrdquoInviteonepersonfromeachteamtocometothemaintablewiththepropsand
choosetheonethatmostrepresentswhatgetsinhisorherwayofgettingthingsdoneThatpersonwillthenreturntotheteamandusetheproptodemonstratewhatcauseshimorhertogetbehindormissimportantdeadlinesTheothertwoteammemberswilltheneachoffersuggestionsfortwominutesofideasthatmighthelpthefirstpersonThepersonwhosharedsaysldquoThankyourdquoandcanthenchoosetoimplementanyofthesharedideasornotwhentheygetbacktoworkWhenthefirstpersonisfinishedheorshehandstheitemtothesecondpersonwhoreturnsittothetableasheorshechoosesanitemtodescribehisorhercompetingpriorityorprocrastinationchallengeRepeatasaboveforthesecondandthirdpersonWhendoneredistributetheitemsbacktotherightfulowners
RulesbullEveryonechoosesanitembullEveryoneshareswhatgetsintheirwayandlistenstoideasfromtheirteammates
DiscussionQuestions1Whataresomeofthecommonchallengesanddistractionsyouface2Whatcanyoucollectivelydoaboutthem
3Howcanyouholdeachotheraccountable
WhoMe
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenyouwanttoreinforcetheimportanceofaccountability
OBJECTIVES
bullTohelppeopleseehowtheiractions(orlackthereof)impactothersbullHavesomefun
GroupSizeUpto10
MaterialsTwodiceboxofdominoescardsorLegos
Time30minutes
SettingtheContextWhenwedowhatwesaywemoveclosertoachievingourorganizationaland
teamgoalsThisactivityhelpsteamstakeaquicklookathowroadblocksandexcusesimpactteamproductivity
PreparationHavematerialsavailableonatable
ProcedureHaveeveryonetakeaseataroundthetableHavetheteamtakefiveminutes
totalkaboutwhatcouldbebuiltwiththeprovidedmaterialsWhatwoulditlooklikeWhyisitimportant
RulesbullRollthediceThehighestnumbergoesfirstthentaketurnsinclockwiseorderbullIfthepersonrollsanevennumberheorsheaddsoneitemtotheldquocreationrdquobullIfthepersonrollsanoddnumberthatpersonmustcreateanexcuseastowhyheorshecanrsquotldquodothejobrightnowrdquobullContinueuntiltenminuteshavepassedortheldquocreationrdquoiscompletewhichevercomesfirst
DiscussionQuestions1Whatgotinthewayofgettingtheprojectcomplete2Whatwasthefunniestexcuse3Howoftenareexcusesgiveninsteadofmeetingobjectives4Whatcanyoudoasateamtoremovebarriersthatpreventyoufrombeingaccountable5Whatcanyoudoasindividualstobetterhonoryourcommitments6Howcanyouholdeachotheraccountable
8
StayingMotivatedandEnergized
YourtalentdetermineswhatyoucandoYourmotivationdetermineshowmuchyouarewillingtodoYourattitudedetermineshowwellyoudoit
mdashLouHoltz
AlphabetSpaceTrace
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asafunicebreakeractivityatthestartofameetingtoenergizethegroupandgeteveryonelaughingandasalightheartedwaytoexplorethedifferencesbetweencooperationandcompetition
OBJECTIVES
bullTohavefunandsharesomelaughswiththeteambullToshifttheteamrsquosfocusfromcompetitiontocooperation
GroupSizeAnypairedupwithpartners
MaterialsNone
Time10to15minutes
SettingtheContextCompetitionhasbeenshowntobeusefuluptoacertainpointandnofurtherbutcooperationwhichisthethingwemuststrivefortodaybegins
wherecompetitionleavesoffmdashFranklinDRooseveltSmartteamleadersunderstandthedelicatebalance
betweencompetitionandcooperationHealthycompetitioncanbeagoodthingdrivingindividualstogrowandpushpasttheirownlimitationstoachievegreatresultsfortheteamOntheotherhandtoomuchcompetitioncanleadtohurt
feelingslousymoralediminishedtrustorworseItrsquosimportantforcoachestohelpteamsfindthesweetspotwherehealthy
mutuallyrewardingcompetitionleadstogreatercooperationandgreaterresultsThisactivitycanpromptsomemeaningfuldiscussionaboutthedifferencesbetweencompetitionandcooperation
PreparationNoneProcedureHaveteammemberspairupandstandface-to-facewiththeirpartnerleaving
abouttwotothreefeetofspacebetweenthemselvesIfthereisanextrapersonpleasevolunteeryourselfashisorherpartnerTellthegroupldquoWhenIsaylsquoGorsquoyouandyourpartneraregoingtoracetoseewhocandrawthelettersofthealphabetintheairbetweenyourselvesfastestStartwiththeletterAandgoallthewaytoZdrawingtheletterswithyourindexfingerIfyoumessupalettersimplyredrawitandcontinueonAfteryoufinishmakesomenoisetocelebrateReadyhellipGordquoAftereveryoneisfinishedtellthemldquoNowletrsquosswitchgearsInsteadof
competingyouandyourpartneraregoingtocooperateOneofyouwilldrawthelettersofthealphabetAtoZintheairjustlikebeforeYourpartnerrsquosjobwillbetofollowtheidenticalpathofyourindexfingerasyoudrawthelettersintheairThegoalistoforhimorhertofollowtheidenticalpathasaccuratelyaspossibleYoumaygoasfastorasslowasyoursquodlikeWhenyoufinishgiveyourpartnerahighfiveandmakesomenoisetocelebrateReadyhellipGordquoGivethegroupamomenttocelebrateaftertheyfinishthenhavethemswitch
roleswiththeirpartnerssoeveryonegetstobeboththedrawerandthefollower
DiscussionQuestions1Howwasthisactivitychallenging2DidyouapproachthisactivitydifferentlywhenitshiftedfromcompetitivetocooperativeInwhatways3Whatdidyounoticewhenyouweredrawingthelettersforyourpartner4Whatdidyounoticewhenyouwereintheroleofthefollower
5Whatdoesthisactivitytellyouaboutcooperationversuscompetition6WheniscompetitionintheworkplaceagoodthingWhenisitabadthing7Whatisahealthybalanceofcompetitionandcooperationforyourteam
BalloonShuffle
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toremindteammembersoftheimportanceofgoodcommunicationandclearleadershipandasagreatwaytocreateteamspiritandenergizethegroup
OBJECTIVES
bullToexperiencethewholeteamworkinginsyncbullTohighlighttheimportanceofclearcommunicationbullToillustratethebondsthatconnecttheteam
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsof8to12
MaterialsOneuninflatedroundballoonperperson9inchesorgreaterindiameter
maskingtapetomarkthestartandfinishlines
Time15to20minutes
SettingtheContextTop-performingworkteamsknowtheimportanceoffocusingtheirenergy
towardacommongoalJustasOlympicrowingteamsknowthateverystrokeoftheiroarsmustbeinperfectsynctowintheraceeffectiveworkteamsknowthattheireffortsmustbecoordinatedandstreamlinedtoachievetheirgoalsThisactivitygivesteammembersanexperienceofworkinginsyncandhighlightstheimportanceofclearcommunicationandleadershipfortheteamrsquossuccess
PreparationMarkthestartandfinishlinesonthefloorwithmaskingtapePlacethefinish
lineapproximatelythirtytofortyfeetfromthestartlineIfyouareinalargeroomorhallwayhavetheteammoveinastraightlinetothefinishlineIfyouareinasmallroomhavetheteamwindaroundtheroomtogettothefinishline
ProcedureGiveeachteammemberaballoonandhavethemblowituptomediumsize
orbiggerHavetheteamstandbehindthestartlineinasingle-filelineplacingoneballoonbetweeneachpersonEveryoneshouldmoveincloseenoughtosqueezetheballoonsbetweeneachotherandkeepthemfromdroppingtothegroundTeammembersmaynotphysicallytoucheachothertheymayonly
groundTeammembersmaynotphysicallytoucheachothertheymayonlymakecontactwiththeballoonsTellthemthattheobjectofthegameistotraveltogetherinsyncallthewaytothefinishlinewithasfewdroppedballoonsaspossibleIfaballoonisdroppedthewholeteammustpausewhiletheballoonispickedupandreturnedtoitspositionbetweenthepeopleToboosttheirchanceforsuccesshaveteammemberselectaleadertocall
outacadencesuchasldquoOnetwothreeleftOnetwothreerightrdquoAftertheyhavetakenseveralstepshavetheteamselectanewleaderDothisseveraltimessothatmultiplepeoplegettheopportunitytoplayaleadershiprole
VariationsIfyouareconcernedaboutpersonalspaceissuestrythisfunoptionHavethe
wholeteamlineupside-to-sidesqueezingtheballoonsbetweentheirshouldersandtheshouldersoftheirneighborsoneithersideThisoptionrequiresawideroomorhallwayHavetheteamattempttotaketentofifteenstepstogetherwithoutdroppingtheballoonsfrombetweenanyonersquosshouldersYoucanaddabitofcompetitiontothisactivitybyhavingtwoormoreteams
goatonceThiscansometimesresultinpoorerperformanceasmoreballoonsaredroppedintheracetothefinishline
DiscussionQuestions1Wasitdifficultsteppinginsyncwitheachother2WhatroledidtheteamleaderplayWasitusefulWhyorwhynot3Howwouldyoudescribeyourteamrsquoscommunicationduringthisgame4Whatdoesldquobeinginsyncrdquomeaninreallifeforyourteam5Namesomereal-lifefactorsthatmightcauseyourteamtobeoutofsync6Whataresomereal-lifewaystomaximizetheteamrsquosabilitytoworkinsync7IfyouhadtwoormoreteamsgoatoncewasthereafeelingofcompetitionWhateffectdidcompetitionhaveonthewholegrouprsquosoverallsuccess
GravityStick
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Anytimeasawaytochallengeteamsthatworkwelltogether(notforteamswithinternalissuesorthatdealpoorlywithconflict)
OBJECTIVES
bullToworktogethertoachieveacommongoalbullToexplorethemesofpatienceintegrityanddealingwithsetbacks
GroupSize6to14people
MaterialsAthinstickorpole6to8feetinlength(egabroomstickdowelrod
bamboostickslenderPVCpipecardboardtubealuminumtentpole)
Time20minutes
SettingtheContextAgoodindicatorofahealthyteamishowmembersdealwithfrustrationor
AgoodindicatorofahealthyteamishowmembersdealwithfrustrationorsetbacksProjectsinreallifemaystartoutwellbutwhathappenswhenthingsdonrsquotgoasplannedWhenthegoinggetstoughitrsquosuptoteammemberstokeepthingspositiveencourageoneanotherwithpositivecommunicationandstayfocusedonthegoalGravityStickisagamethatseemssimpleatfirstbutcanquicklyprovetobea
trickychallengeAhighlevelofperseveranceandpatienceisrequiredforthisgamesodonrsquotuseitiftheteamhaspoorconflictmanagementskills
PreparationNoneProcedureHavetheteamformtwostraightlinesfacingeachotherStandingshoulderto
shoulderteammembersshouldbendtheirarmsattheelbowandextendtheirindexfingersasiftheyarepointingatthepersonacrossfromthemEveryonersquosfingersshouldbeheldatshoulderheightcreatingalevelplatformtosetthestickonPlacethestickontopofeveryonersquosextendedfingersthentellthemthegoalistolowerthestickallthewaytothegroundThechallengeisforeveryonersquosindexfingerstoconstantlystayincontactwiththestickIfsomeonersquosfingerlosescontactatanytimethatpersonneedstoimmediatelyregaincontactwiththestickParticipantsmaynotusetheirthumbsorotherfingersduringthisactivityTheteammaybesurprisedandamusedbywhathappensontheirfirsttry
InsteadofbeingloweredthestickmayriseupasifitisfloatingawayIfthishappensremovethestickgivetheteamafewmomentstoregroupthenhavethemtryagainstartingatshoulderlevelTeamsmayexperiencethestickfloatingawayanumberoftimesastheyworkthroughthischallengeItmaytakeseveraltriesbeforetheteamcomesupwithastrategythatworks
TipsbullPaycloseattentiontothetoneoftheteamAfterseveraltriessometeamsfindthatlaughterandamusementhavegivenwaytofrustrationandimpatienceEncourageteammemberstokeepthetonelightsupportoneanotherandrememberthatalthoughthetaskisdifficultitcanbedonebullAvoidputtingyourselfinthepositionofjudgingwhetherpeoplearekeepingcontactwiththestickAllowingteammemberstomonitorthemselvescanresultinsomegooddiscussionaboutintegrityandaccountabilitybullSometeamsmaycomeupwithacreativesolutiontothischallengecrouchingorlyingdowntomakeldquoshoulderrdquoheightclosertotheground
crouchingorlyingdowntomakeldquoshoulderrdquoheightclosertotheground
VariationsUseaHula-HoopinsteadofastickHavetheteamstandinacircleandplace
thehoopontopoftheirextendedindexfingersthenproceedwiththedirectionsasoutlinedabove
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwaschallengingaboutthisactivity2Howdidtheteamrespondtosetbacks3Didanyonefeelthatsomeoneelsewastoblame4Howwouldyoudescribetheteamrsquosattitudeduringtheactivity5Howcanteamspulltogetherwhenthingsdonrsquotgoasplanned6Whatadvicewouldyougiveteamstryingthisactivityforthefirsttime7Whatlessonscanyourteamlearnfromthisactivitythatyoucanapplytoreallife
PipelinetoSuccess
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Asawaytochallengeandenergizetheteamasalead-intoateamgoal-settingsessionorasawaytoillustratetheconceptofflexibilityinplanning
OBJECTIVES
bullTosetandachieveaclearlydefinedteamgoalbullTobrainstormwaystoimproveaprocessbullTohighlighttheimportanceofplanningandflexibility
GroupSize5to16people
MaterialsOne pipeline segment per person masking tape tape measure three
marblesperteamthreeinexpensiveplasticbucketsortumblersperteamastopwatchortimer
Time20to25minutes
SettingtheContextSoonerorlatermostteamsfindthatthingsrarelygoaccordingtoplan
Unanticipatedsetbacksmayhappenteammembersmaycomeandgoandother
UnanticipatedsetbacksmayhappenteammembersmaycomeandgoandotherprioritiesmayscreamforyourattentionInthesesituationsflexibilityinplanningisessentialforteamsTheabilitytostayfocusedonthegoalandquicklyadapttowhateverroadblocksorsurprisescomealongcanmakethedifferencebetweensuccessandfailure
PreparationTomakethepipelinesegmentspurchaselengthsofvinylbullnosecorner
beadfromthedrywallsectionofyourlocalhardwarestoreBullnoseisthematerialusedinhomeconstructiontocreatesmoothroundedcornerswherewallsmeetAneight-footlengthofvinylbullnosecornerbeadtypicallycostsbetweenfourandfivedollarsTheproductcomesinvariousshapesforthisactivitychooselengthswithroundededgesthatamarblecaneasilyrollthroughUsesharpscissorstocutthebullnoseedgingintosegmentsofeighteenincheseachMarkastartlineonthegroundwithapieceofmaskingtapePlaceoneofthe
bucketsortumblersonefootfromthestartlineplacethesecondbucketortumblertwelvefeetfromthestartlineandplacethethirdbucketortumbleraboutthirtyfeetfromthestartline
ProcedureGiveeachparticipantonepipelinesegmentTelltheteamthattheobjectisfor
everyonetolineuptheirsegmentsend-to-endandrollamarblethroughthepipelinedepositingitintoabucketattheendTherewillbethreebucketssetupOneisreallyclosetothestartinglineoneisabouttwelvefeetawayandoneisreallyfar(aboutthirtyfeetaway)OncetheygetamarbleintoabuckettheyneedtomoveontoanewbucketAttheendtheywillhavegottenonemarbleintoeachofthethreebucketsTheymustfollowtheserulesRules
bullAllmarblesmustbeinitiatedfrombehindthestartlinebullAmarblemustbedepositedintoeachbucketbyrollingitthrougheveryonersquospipebullMarblesmustrollallthewaythrougheveryonersquospipebullYourhandscanrsquottouchsomeoneelsersquospipebullWhenamarbleisinyourpipeyoucanrsquotmoveyourfeetOtherwisemoveyourfeetallyouwantbullIfamarblegetsdroppedtheteamhastostartoveragainbullHavetheteampracticeallowingthemuptotenminutestocreateastrategyandworkoutrolesforeveryoneAftertheyhavepracticedtelltheteamtosetatimegoalthatwillbeldquochallengingbutdoablerdquoTheclockwill
teamtosetatimegoalthatwillbeldquochallengingbutdoablerdquoTheclockwillstartwhenyousayGoandstopwhentheteamgetsthethirdmarbleintothethirdbucketGivetheteamseveralattemptstoachievetheirgoalOncetheyachievetheirgoalhavetheteamcomeupwithanewgoalthatwillreallychallengethemforexampleshaving25percentofftheirtime
DiscussionQuestions1Howdidthisactivitychallengetheteam2Wasthegoalcleartoeveryone3Howdidchangingtoanewmoredifficultgoalaffecttheteam4WhatdidtheteamdowhenamarblewasdroppedInotherwordshow
didtheteamdealwithsetbacks5Howwouldyoudescribetheteamintermsofflexibility
TeamStoryTimeLine
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Forteamsthathaveworkedtogetherforawhilewhentheteamhasreachedanimportantmilestoneorwhentheteamisstartinganewproject
OBJECTIVES
bullTorecognizeandcelebratetheteamrsquospastachievementsbullTodrawlessonsfromthepastthatwillmaketheteamevenbetterinthefuturebullTogainanunderstandingoftheteamrsquosstrengthsandchallenges
GroupSizeUpto16
MaterialsAlargewhiteboardwithdry-erasemarkersorseveralsheetsofflip-chart
papermaskingtapemarkers
Time30to45minutes
SettingtheContextBeginningsandendingsofprojectsprovidegreatopportunitiesforteamsto
takestockofwheretheyrsquovebeenByreflectingonthesuccessesandchallengestheyhavefacedtogetherteammemberscangainimportantinsightsthatwillhelpthembeevenmoreeffectiveinthefuture
PreparationArrangetheroomwiththechairsfacingthewhiteboardorflip-chartpagesIf
youareusingflip-chartpapertapethesheetsnexttoeachotherendtoendinlandscapeorientationalongthewall
ProcedureTellthegroupthattheywillbeworkingtogethertocreateavisualhistoryof
theteamcalledaTeamStoryTimeLineEachpersonwillcontributebyaddinghisorherowndrawingsdoodlesandwrittenwordstoillustratethehighslowssuccessesandchallengesthathavebroughttheteamtowheretheyaretoday
1HavethegroupchooseastartingpointfortheirTeamStoryTimeLineThestartingpointcanbewhentheteamwasformedwhentheystartedontheirprojectorevenasfarbackaswhenthecompanybeganTellthemtoindicatetheirstartingpointonthefarleftsideofthetimelineinacreativewayusingadrawingdoodleorwrittenwords2TheoppositeendoftheirtimelinerepresentsnowthepresentHavetheteamindicatethisonthefarrightsideoftheirtimelineusingdrawingsdoodleswordsorsimplytodayrsquosdate3NowthattheyhavethestartingandendpointsitrsquosuptotheteamtofillintherestoftheirstoryAskthemtothinkabouttheelementsthatareapartoftheircollectivehistorythepeoplethechallengesthegoalsthesuccessesthesetbacksandtheimportantdecisionsthathavetakenthemfromtheirstartingpointallthewaytothepresentdayInvitealltheteammemberstoaddsomethingtothetimelinethathelpstelltheirstory4EncouragecreativityDrawingssketchesdoodlescaricaturesandstickfigurescanbringtheTeamStoryTimeLinetolifeWrittenwordsareokaytoobutshouldbeusedsparingly5TeamStoryTimeLineshouldincludesomeorallofthefollowingcategoriesbullPeopleandStaffHaveteammembersaddthemselvestothetimeline
basedonwhentheyjoinedtheteamIftheteamhasalotofpeopleitrsquosagoodideatowritethenameofeachpersonnexttohisorherdrawingTheycanalsoincludeformerteammembersonthetimelineespeciallyiftheyplayedanimportantrolefortheteambullImportantDecisionsthathavemadeanimpactontheteamAforkintheroadisagoodwaytosymbolizedecisionpointsbuttheteammayhaveevenbetterwaystorepresenttheirimportantdecisionsAddsometexttothedrawingtomakeitclearifnecessarybullObstaclesorBarriersthatchallengedtheteamWhatkindsofobstacleshastheteamfacedTightdeadlinestoughcompetitorsalousyeconomyorinternalissuescantrulychallengeteamsOneteamweworkedwithuseddoodlesofGodzillaKingKongBigfootandtheLochNessMonsterlabeledwiththenamesoftheirmajorcompetitorstorepresenttheirobstaclesBecreativebullImportantMilestonesreachedbytheteamorbyindividualteammembersThesecanincludegoalsreacheddeadlinesmetnewclientswonandbreakthroughsandinnovationsfortheteambullMemorableMomentsthatareapartoftheteamrsquoshistoryManyofthesewillbework-relatedbutdonrsquotforgetmomentslikeholidaypartiesoff-siteteam-buildingeventsvolunteerworktheteammayhavebeeninvolvedwithorothermomentsthathappenedawayfromtheofficebullImportantAwardsandRecognitionsearnedbytheteamorbyindividualteammemberssuchasindustryawardsindividualprofessionalcertificationsearnedoreducationalachievementsanddegreesearned6BesuretoconcludethisactivitywithsomeofthediscussionquestionsbelowCreatingaTeamStoryTimeLineisagreatwayfortheteamtolearnfromtheirpastandsetthestageforgreatersuccessesinthefuture
TipsEncouragegreaterparticipationbymovingeveryonersquoschairsclosertothe
timelineTakedigitalphotosofthefinishedTeamStoryTimeLineandemailthemto
everyoneIftheteamcreatedtheirTeamStoryTimeLineonflip-chartpaperhavethemhangitsomeplacewhereitrsquosvisiblearoundtheoffice
DiscussionQuestions1Whatmomentsareyoumostproudof
2Whatisthemostsignificantmomentonthetimelineforyouasanindividual(Inviteteammemberstosharethemoneatatimeiftheywish)3Whatissomethingmeaningfulthateachpersonhasbroughttotheteam(Inviteteammemberstosharealoudthenamesofindividualsalongwithanexpressionofthanksrecognitionorappreciation)4WhatobstacleshaveyoustruggledwiththemostinthepastWhataresomestrategiesthatcanhelpyouovercomesimilarobstaclesinthefuture5Whatskillsknowledgeexpertiseorawarenesscanyouaddtotheteamtomakeyoumoreeffectiveinthefuture6IfyouhadamagicwandthatallowedyoutochangethreethingsfromthepastwhatwouldtheybeWhy7Whatarethemostimportantlessonsyouhavelearnedfromthepast
Transport
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Withateamthatisintheperformingstageofgroupdevelopmentorwithateamthatisinthestormingstage
OBJECTIVES
bullTofostercreativeproblemsolvingbullToexperiencefull-teamcommitmenttoagoal
GroupSize6to15
MaterialsBluepainterrsquostapeonebowlingball8segmentsofropethatareeach8
feetlongtapemeasure
Time20to30minutes
SettingtheContextBecauseofthedifficultylevelofthisgameitworksbestwithateamthatisin
theperformingstageofgroupdevelopmentAnotheroptionistousethegameinthestormingstagetoinciteconflictwithintheteamThisismoredelicateandchallengingtofacilitateeffectivelybutallowsforsomeexcellentcoachingopportunities
PreparationUsingthebluepainterrsquostapecreateafour-footsquareonthefloorTaketwo
shortlengthsoftapeandcreateanXinthecenterofthesquarePlacethebowlingballontheXTaketwoadditionallengthsoftapeandcreateanotherXonthegroundaboutthreefeetfromtheoutsideofthefour-footbox(thefartherawayyouputthissecondXtheharderyoumakeitfortheteam)Placetheeight-footropesnexttothesquare
ProcedureUsingonlytheeightropestheteamneedstoconstructadevicetotransport
thebowlingballfromthecenterofthesquaretothenewlocationmarkedbytheXontheoutsideofthesquareTheteammustformulateaplanandworkinperfectunisontoaccomplishtheirgoal
RulesbullEveryteammembermustbeinvolvedinexecutingtheplanbullAllteammembersmustremainoutsidethesquarebullNopartofanyteammemberrsquosbodycancrosstheplaneofthesquareNohandsarmsheadsornosesbullNoknotscanbetiedintheropesbullOnlytheropescancontacttheballbullIftheballisdroppeditneedstoberesetontheXinthecenterofthesquare
TheteamwillquicklygettoworkeachpersongrabbingaropeandindividuallytryingtoloopitaroundtheballRemindthemoftherulesasthissolutionforcesthemtobreaktherulesbecausetheirarmsandhandscrosstheplaneofthesquareInadditionitdoesnrsquotworkbecauseitdoesnrsquotbuildasolidstructurefortheballYoudonrsquothavetomentionthatitwonrsquotworkbutratherremindthemthattheyarebreakingtherulesOftentimesteamswillignorethefacilitatorcoachastheytryldquoreallyhardrdquotomakethissolutionworkIfthisoccursyoucanaddressitinthedebriefingdiscussionorifateamisgettingfrustratedstopthegameandfacilitateamid-activitybriefdiscussionwithyourteamAgoodsolutionandonethatcomplieswiththerulesisfortheteamtocreatea
netoutsidethesquarestrategicallymovethenetoverthesquareandlowerthenetundertheballbeingcarefultokeepallbodypartsoutsidethesquareTheteamthenneedstopulltheropestogethertosecuretheballsothatitcanbeliftedandcarriedtothedestinationThisismucheasiersaidthandonebecauseateammayhaveagreatsolutionbutlackthepatienceandteamcoordinationtocarryitoutsuccessfullyAsthecoachbepreparedtostepinandofferfeedbackandinsighttomotivatethemtocontinuetheirtask
CoachNotesAsteamcoachtakesometimetoconsiderhowyouwilldesignthestructureofthegameItrsquosgoodtobaseyourdecisionsonyourteamrsquoslevelofskilltheirstageofgroupformationandyourgoalsfortheteamHerearesomethingstoconsiderbeforehand
bullThinkabouthowmuchdistanceyouwantbetweentheballanditsdestinationThefarthertheballisfromthedestinationthemoredifficultthechallengebullDoesadroppedballindicateasetbackorafailureFromwhatheightMostgroupswilldroptheballseveraltimesastheydeveloptheirplanYoumaydecidethatitrsquospartoftheprocessoryoumaywanttostopthegameforaquickcheck-inEitherwayitrsquosgoodtohaveananswerreadywhentheteamlookstoyouforguidanceastheyldquofailforwardrdquobullHowcloselywillyoumonitorandenforcetherulesWillyouaskthe
bullHowcloselywillyoumonitorandenforcetherulesWillyouaskthegrouptomonitorthemselvesandinformyouorwillyoukeepawatchfuleyeIsthereapenaltyforbreakingtherulesWhatisthepenaltyforbreakingtherules
DiscussionQuestions1WhatwasyourlevelofmotivationthroughouttheactivityDiditchangeWhatcausedittochangeHowdidyouovercomelackofinterestormotivation2Inwhatwaydidthatimpactyourexperience3Whatwasnecessaryforasuccessfulcompletionofthischallenge4Whatdiditfeelliketohavetheentireteamcompletelycommittedtothegoal5Inwhatwayscanyouapplythistoyourdailywork6Howwouldyouprefertoreceivefeedbackwhenyougetofftrack
9
CelebratingSuccess
AgreatcoachismeasuredbythesuccessofothersmdashEdwardEScannell
ARealKnee-Slapper
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Attheendofameetingorworksession
OBJECTIVES
bullTohavefunandbondwithyourteammatesbullToexperienceaquickteamchallenge
GroupSize6to20
MaterialsAchairforeachperson
Time5to10minutes
SettingtheContextItrsquosimportanttocelebrateafteranysuccessbigorsmallGettinginthehabit
ofacknowledgingajobwelldonemaynotcomenaturallyforsometeamsbutit
ofacknowledgingajobwelldonemaynotcomenaturallyforsometeamsbutitisimportantforateamtoadoptthathabitAcoachcanhelpremindtheteamhowimportantthisisandhowitcandowondersforteammorale
PreparationNone
ProcedureArrangethechairsinatightcirclesoeveryoneisseatedclosetooneanother
IncludeyourselfinthecircleSaytothegroupldquoOneofthethingsIlikemostaboutgoingtosportseventsistheenergyofthecrowdIrsquomsuremostofyouarefamiliarwiththeWavewherepeopleinthecrowdjumpupthrowtheirhandsintheairandmakelotsofnoiseastheytrytomaketheWavegoallthewayaroundthearenaForthisactivitywewillbeattemptingavariationcalledtheKnee-SlapWave
1Placeyourhandsonyourkneeswithyourlefthandonyourleftkneeandyourrighthandonyourrightknee2Raiseyourhandssothattheyarefloatingafewinchesdirectlyaboveyourknees3Moveyourhandsslowlyoutwardwithyourlefthandmovingtotheleftandyourrighthandmovingtotherightuntiltheyarefloatingabovethekneesofthepeoplesittingtoyourleftandright4Nowloweryourhandsontothekneesofyourneighbors
4Nowloweryourhandsontothekneesofyourneighbors
ldquoWithourarmscriss-crossedlikethiswearenowreadytoattemptaKnee-SlapWaveTheobjectistopassaknee-slapinperfectsequentialorderallthewayaroundourcircleuntilitcomesbacktowhereitstartedIwillstartourWavebyslappingthisknee[Wiggleyourfingersorwaveyourhandsoeveryonecanseewhichkneeyouaretalkingabout]WhoeverrsquoshandisonthenextkneedownthelineshouldslapitfollowedbythenextkneeandsoonBecauseourarmsarecriss-crossedyouwillhavetopayprettycloseattentiontogetitrightIfanyonemessesupwersquollhavetotryagainHerewegordquoAftertheteamissuccessfulbesuretocelebratewithsomecheersand
applause
TipsbullThisactivityisalittletrickybuteasilydoableafterafewtriesTeamsthatgoslowdobestbullIftheteamismakingalotofmistakesencouragethemtothinkbeforetheyslap
CountonMe
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Whenyouwanteveryonetodeepentheirappreciationofthestrengthsandtalentsofotherteammembers
OBJECTIVES
bullTonoticehoweffectivelyteammembersoperatewhenfocusingontheirstrengthsbullTodevelopappreciationforonersquosowntalentsandskillsandthoseofteammembers
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsName tags large poster boards of various colors balloons glitter
markersribbontapeanythingelseyouthinkwouldbefun
Time30to40minutes
SettingtheContextTeammembersoftengoabouttheirjobswithoutpayingattentionor
appreciatingtherolesothersplayWiththisactivitytheteamtakesonafunprojectwhereeveryonegetstoplaytherolethatmostcloselyalignswiththeirstrengths
PreparationHaveenoughsuppliesforthenumberofteamsformedPlaceallthesupplies
ononetableDeterminewhatrolesmightbeneededieCreatorProjectManager
DesignerDoerQualityControlFacilitator(youcanadapttheserolenamestofityourorganizationrsquospreferredtitles)WritethenamesoftherolesonthenametagsassigningoneroleforeachnametagMakesureyouhaveenoughnametagssoeveryteammemberwillhaveone
ProcedureAsktheteamstothinkabouttherolestheyusuallyplayontheteamoron
projectsSayldquoForthisactivityIrsquodlikeyoutochoosetherolethatfeelsclosesttoyournormalroleTherolesareCreatorProjectManagerDesignerDoer
toyournormalroleTherolesareCreatorProjectManagerDesignerDoerQualityControlandFacilitatorTakethenametagoftheroleyouwillplayIntroduceyourselftothegroupwithyournewrolerdquoTellthemtheywillbecreatingatributetotheteamusingthesupplies
availableandthattheywillhavetwentyminutesThetributecanbeanythingtheychooseInvitetheCreatorandProjectManagerfromeachtabletocomeupandchoosethesuppliesfortheirteamOnceeachteamhassupplieseachpersoncontributestotheeffortwhileplayinghisorherroleAnnouncetimeattenminutesandfiveminutesremainingWalkaroundprovidingencouragementWhentheteamshavecompletedtheirtributesasktheFacilitatorforeachteamtoshowofftheircreationandaddanyexplanationsordescriptionsAskthemtohangtheircreationonthewall
RulesbullEveryonecontributestothesuccessoftheendeavorbullThetributescanbeanythingtheteamwants
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdidyounoticeabouthowtheteamsachievedthegoal2Whatdoyouwanttoacknowledgeyourteammembersfor3Whatareyourcollectivestrengths4Whatskillsmightyourteamwanttodevelop5Whatwaschallenging6Whatmightyoulikemoreoforlessofinyourjoborteamrole7Whatlearningfromthiscanyouapplytotheteamgoingforward
CoachNoteAvariationcouldbetoaskeachpersontochoosetherolethatisleastlikethemforthisactivityIftheyarenotsureaskthemtogetinputfromtheirteammatessoeveryonechoosesarolethatisabitofastretch
KudostoYou
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toprovideenergyduringchallengingtimestoresettheteamafterafailureortobringclosureattheendofaproject
OBJECTIVES
bullTobuildmotivationandself-confidenceofteammembersbullToprovideappreciationforthecontributionofothersontheteam
GroupSizeUpto20
MaterialsPaperandpens(cardstockispreferred)onestandardletter-sizedmailing
envelopeforeachperson
Time20to30minutes
SettingtheContextWeeachbringouruniquepersonalitytalentsandstrengthstoateam
ProvidingaframeworkforteammemberstoacknowledgethecontributionsofothershelpstobuildahealthyinterdependentteamThiseasyactivityistheperfecttakeawaytoindicatethesignificanceoftherelationshipsbetweenteammembersthedifferenceteammembersmaketooneanotherandthespecificwaysothershavecontributedtothesuccessoftheteamItisalsoagreatwayforteammemberstounderstandandacknowledgethe
contributionstheymaketotheteamWhenyouhearaboutyourstrengthsfromothersandacknowledgethemyourselfthisbuildsindividualmotivationandself-confidence
PreparationNoneProcedureAskteammemberstoarrangetheirchairsinacircleandtakeaseatYouas
coachareencouragedtoparticipatebecausetheteamwilllooktoshowtheirappreciationforyourroleontheteamStartwithadiscussionaboutthevalueofpositivefeedbackAskthesequestions
bullWhatisthevalueofpositivefeedbackbullWhatmakesitmeaningfulbullInwhatwaysdoesitinfluencetheenergyofateam
TelltheteamthattheywillhavetheopportunitytoacknowledgethecontributionsofeveryoneinthecirclePassoutonepieceofpaperandapentoeachteammemberFollowthesestepsfortheactivity
bullAskeachparticipanttowritehisorherownnamelegiblyonthebottomofthepaper(CoachNoteItrsquosimportantthathisorhernameisatthebottomofthepage)bullHaveparticipantspasstheirpapertothepersontotheirleftbullThatpersonwritesonewordtwowordsorevenafewsentencesatthetopofthepagetodescribewhatheorshehasvaluedaboutthepersonwhosenameiswrittenonthebottomofthepaperAskteammemberstotakeamomenttoreflectbeforewritingonthepagebullWhentheyarefinishedwritinginstructthemtofoldthepaperneatlysothecommentsarecoveredbullPassthepapertothenextpersonandfollowthesameprocessuntileach
bullPassthepapertothenextpersonandfollowthesameprocessuntileachpersonreceiveshisorheroriginalpaperbullInviteteammemberstounfoldtheirpagesandreadthecommentsquietlybullAskeachpersontoidentifyoneparticularlymeaningfulcommentthatwaswrittenonhisorherpagebullInviteteammemberstostandupshouldertoshoulderandoneatatimesaythemeaningfulmessagealoudusingthewordsldquoIamhelliprdquoorldquoIhavehelliprdquobullProvideanenvelopetoeachpersonforsafekeepingofhisorherfeedback
DiscussionQuestions1Howoftendoyoutaketimetoacknowledgethepositivecontributionsofyourteammates2Howoftendoyoutaketimetoacknowledgeyourownstrengths3Whyisitimportanttotaketimeforactivitiessuchasthis4Whatareotherldquothingslikethisrdquothatyoucandotoacknowledgeoneanother
WeRock
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Tobuildteamconfidenceandormorale
OBJECTIVES
bullToreflectonpastsuccessesbullTocreateasenseofunity
GroupSizeAny
MaterialsRockcellphonegluestickplayingcardskeyseyeglassessunglasses
suntanlotioncandypaperclipsstaplesrubberbandstapenailhammerconstructionpapercrayonsandormarkersstickynotesanyothercreativesupplies
Time20to40minutesdependingongroupsize
SettingtheContext
LetrsquoslookbackandreflectonourmanyawesomeaccomplishmentsThisisatimetoacknowledgetheteamandeachotherforourachievements
PreparationPutthesuppliesonatable
ProcedureAskeachpersontolookoverthesuppliesandthinkabouthowoneofthe
itemsisareminderofapastteamsuccessorthestrengthsomeoneelseontheteampossessesPeoplearewelcometodraw(ortalkabout)anyitemnotphysicallypresentEachpersontakesoneitem(noduplication)andeveryonehastwotothreeminutestothinkaboutastoryfromtheteamrsquoshistorytheywanttoshareRemoveanyitemnotchosenAftereveryonesharescelebratewithateamhuddlepilehandsinthecenterandshoutldquoWerockrdquoForfunyoumaywanttotakeagrouppicturewiththeitemstoremindthe
teamoftheirmanytalentsandachievements
RulesbullEveryonechoosesanitembullHaveeachpersonshareastoryandrelatehowtheitemchosenremindshimorherofthestorybullAftereachpersonsharestheitemisplacedatthecenterofthetable
DiscussionQuestions1Whatdidyoulearnaboutyourteam2Whatfondmemoryhadyouforgotten3Whenareyouatyourbest4Howdoyourcombinedstrengthsmaketheteamstronger5Whatstrengthsdoyouneedtotapintogoingforward
10
TransformingtheTeam
ThecoachisnottheproblemsolverInsportsIhadtolearnhowtoteachlesssothatmorecouldbelearnedThesameholdstrueforacoachinbusiness
mdashWTimothyGallwey
Six-CountSequence
WHENTOUSETHISGAME
Toreenergizetheteamincreaseengagementduringmeetingsorwhentheteamisreadytodevelopacultureofcoaching
OBJECTIVES
bullTomasterasimplebutdifficultchallengebullToletteammemberspracticecoachingeachother
GroupSizeAnysplitlargegroupsintoteamsof3to4
MaterialsNone
Time15minutes
SettingtheContextThisgamesetsthestagefortheteamtodevelopacultureofpeercoachingIt
givesteammemberstheopportunitytohelpandcoacheachothertowardmasteryofachallengingtaskandclearlyillustratesthewaycoachingbenefitstheteam
PreparationAllowplentyoftimetolearnandpracticethecombinedsix-countsequence
yourselfDothispriortothemeetingbecauseyouwillneedtodemonstrateitseveraltimes
ProcedureTelltheteamtheywillbecountingfromonetosixThechallengeisthereisa
differentarmpositionforeverynumberofthesix-countForeachnumberofyourcountyouwillberaisingandloweringyourrightarmonewaywhileraisingandloweringyourleftarminacompletelydifferentwayRaiseandloweryourarmslikewhenyoudojumpingjacksIthelpstolearnthemotionforeacharmindependentlythencombinethemafteryouhavegainedcompetencyHerearethemotionsLeftArm(raiseandlowerlikeajumpingjack)
1Raiseitallthewayupintheair2Loweritallthewaybackdowntoyourside3Raiseitallthewaybackup4Loweritallthewaybackdown5Raiseitallthewaybackup6Loweritallthewaybackdown
RightArm(raiseandlowerlikeajumpingjack)1Raiseitallthewayupintheair2Lowerithalfway(tohorizontalposition)3Loweritallthewaybackdowntoyourside4Raiseitallthewayupintheair5Lowerithalfway(tohorizontalposition)6Loweritallthewaybackdowntoyourside
DemonstratethemotionofeacharmoneatatimeforthewholegroupInvitethemtojoinalongandpracticewithyouafewtimesKeepinmindthatifyouarefacingthegroupleftandrightwillbereversed
arefacingthegroupleftandrightwillbereversedAftertheyhavepracticedeacharmdemonstratewhatitlookslikewithboth
armscombinedGoslowlyandhavethemtrytofollowalongasyoudemonstrateafewtimesThensaytothegroupldquoInorderforyoutobecomeexpertcountersIinviteyoutogatherintoteamsofthreeorfourTakeaboutsevenminutesinyourteamstocoachandhelpeachotherlearnthecombinedsix-countsequenceuntileveryonehasgainedcompetencyGoodluckrdquoAftersevenminutesinviteeveryonetojoinyouonceagainasyoudothe
combinedsix-countsequenceFinishwithabigroundofapplausetocelebrateeveryonersquoshardwork
TipsCirculateamongtheteamsastheypracticethecombinedsix-count
movementsansweringanyquestionstheymayhave
DiscussionQuestions1Whatwasdifficultaboutthisactivity2Didyounoticeanyimprovement3Howdidithelptoreceivecoachingfromyourteammates4Wereyouopentocoaching5Wasthereacertaincoachingstylethathelpedyoumost6Whataresomereal-lifewaysyoucanhelpandprovidecoachingforeachother7Whatcanyoudotobeopentocoachingandhelpfromoneanother