Author: Andy

Overview: This activity is sure to lighten up the mood in the office or classroom this Halloween! Your participants will work together to mummify a teammate using rolls of toilet paper and various props. Take it a step further and have each team come up with a creative back-story and theme for their mummy. To wrap it all up (no pun intended) encourage some friendly competition among the crowd and award the most creative mummy, best wrapped, or the best back story! Equipment Required: Multiple rolls of toilet paper, scotch tape, and streamers per team. Costumes and props such as…

Looking to improve team cohesion, creativity, or morale? If  you read our last article on the Key Benefits of Diversity and Inclusion Within Teams,  you know that these are just some of the positive effects teams begin to experience when they focus on diversity and inclusion. Would you like to highlight diversity in your organization but don’t even know where to even begin? We are excited to share a few simple strategies that you can easily (and inexpensively) implement to cultivate a team that values diversity and inclusion! Respect Inclusion begins with respect. Refrain from offensive jokes that alienate others…

Overview: There is an office emergency! The building has flooded, and your team needs to move quickly to evacuate the building. After dividing your group into teams, you will give each participant one “floating device”. Teams will then race to see who can evacuate the building first as they strategically use their floating devices to escape. This exercise will test your team’s ability to work together while providing many laughs and photo opportunities. Equipment Required: Cardstock paper (preferably various colors) – 1 sheet per participant. Two ropes or a set of cones to mark the start and end points. Space…

Overview: Hoop Hop is the perfect activity to get your group up, moving, and working closely together. Teams will not be able to take themselves too seriously as they race against one another to maneuver through a hoola hoop. Although this may seem like a light-hearted and silly activity. it is a great test of communication and collaboration. Hoop Hop can be used as the perfect ice breaker to kick-off your next event or as a great afternoon pick-me-up when you need to increase the energy of your audience. Equipment Required: 1-3 hoola hoops per team. One small ball for…

Overview: This activity is a great standalone exercise for a small organization, department, or team.  It can also serve as a follow-up or partner exercise to the previously highlighted activity “A Day in the Life of Bob”.  Participants are given the opportunity to step into a colleague’s shoes for two hours, a half-day, or an entire day by either shadowing (or working independently in) that colleague’s role. Colleague’s often do not fully understand nor appreciate the work of one another until they have a clear understanding of their daily efforts. This eye-opening exercise will give your team clarity and a…

Diversity and inclusion are two words you likely hear in today’s corporate world. Many organizations have started to focus on diversity and inclusion in relation to their mission, vision, and team composition. Why the shift of focus? It is becoming clear that teams that value diversity can experience great reward. For starters, team members begin to feel valued and more comfortable. Working relationships become stronger which leads to more cohesive teams. Each of these workplace improvements can result in the output of higher-level and more successful work.  This article will discuss the basics of diversity and inclusion in the workplace…

Overview: Looking for an ice breaker that will energize your team at your next large gathering? Race to Rearrange is a fun and competitive way to get your participants up and moving. Begin by dividing your group in two teams. Position the teams on opposite sides of the room and inform them that they will be competing against one another to see which team can rearrange themselves the fastest. Announce a category such as number of countries each participant has visited or number of months they have been employed by the company. The teams will then work together to immediately…

Overview: Inheritance is the perfect quirky exercise for your next sales or marketing meeting. This activity is a quick and inexpensive way to get your team engaged and creatively working together. Inform your participants that they have just inherited an extensive collection of thousands of used clothing buttons from a distant great aunt. Participants must work in teams to market and sell their newfound inheritance. Encourage your participants to think out-of-the-box with potential company names, slogans, jingles, and commercials. Each team will have the opportunity to present their pitch to the group. The team that comes up with the most…

Overview: Have you ever wondered what Bob from the accounting department spends his entire day doing? Does Sally in sales spend the whole day on the phone? This fun exercise will encourage your group to gain a better understanding of one another’s daily lives. Whether you are coordinating a meeting for folks who rarely work together or for a team that works together every day, this activity is impactful and engaging. “A Day in the Life of Bob” is the perfect way to kick-off your next company-wide meeting! Equipment Required: Paper and pens for each participant. Space Required: Small to…

Would you like to transform your team from good to great? Would you also like to cut some costs along the way? We previously discussed the fact that trust is one of the consistent characteristics among high – performing teams. Trust is often mentioned in our personal relationships, but it is common for organizations to overlook the power of trust in the workplace. Fostering a great sense of trust in your team can lead to a direct impact on your organization’s bottom-line. Organizations that excel in fostering trust can reap many rewards, including a direct reduction of costs. These…

Overview: Would you like to take your team outside and get them to creatively work together this summer? Sand Trap will give you the perfect excuse to take your team to the nearest beach or lake! Your team will enjoy a change of scenery as they are challenged to work cohesively. Teams are first given a time limit and a variety of supplies. They are then asked to construct a sand maze that includes at least three turns, traps, or obstacles. After the specified construction time has lapsed, teams will swap sand trap courses. At that point one team member…

Overview: Cool your team down this summer with a quick “ice-breaker” (no pun intended).  Team Thaw is a quick activity that only requires some ice cubes and your teams will power. Teams compete against one another to see who can melt an ice cube the fastest using only their hands. To kick – off this activity have your teams line up in a single file line. The first person in line will be given an ice cube. That person will then rub their hands together around the ice cube until they get too cold. Once they have had enough, they…