Author: Andy

Overview In this activity, participants will share a skills or hobby with another participant. Resources: -Enough space for all participants to stand and move freely. Space Required: Small to large. Can be indoors or outdoors. Group Size: Unlimited.  Participants share in pairs. Total Time: 20 minutes 5 minutes for the introduction and card dispersal 10 minutes for the activity 5 minutes to review and debrief Prerequisite: None Set Up -Participants need to have space to stand in pairs. Running the Activity Explain the activity:  Ask participants to find a partner. The objective is to share a skill or hobby that…

Overview In this activity, participants will use oversized playing cards for a variety of get-to-know-you activities. Resources: -A deck/decks of over-sized playing cards.  There should be enough so each participant has one card. Regular playing cards can be used but are more difficult to see. Space Required: Small to large. Can be indoors or outdoors. Group Size: Unlimited. Participants play as individuals. Total Time: 20 minutes 5 minutes for the introduction and card dispersal 10 minutes for the activity 5 minutes to review and debrief Prerequisite: None Set Up -Participants need to have space to stand in groups in…

Overview In this activity, participants will trade for animal cards that best represents their personality. Resources: One set of laminated cards, each featuring an animal name. These are the size of business cards and should have the name of small, large and exotic animals on them. Space Required:  This can be indoors or outdoors and is best played on a table or flat surface. Group Size: Unlimited. Total Time: 20 minutes (small group), 30 minutes (large group) 5 minutes to brief and setup 5 minutes card trading 10 minutes to review and debrief Prerequisite: This exercise can be used prior…

Overview In this activity, participants are tasked with writing down 10 words associated with a particular topic. Resources: Pen and paper for each participant. Space Required: Can be indoors or outdoors and in any space where you can fit smalls groups sitting or standing in a circle. Group Size: Unlimited total size.  Small groups between 4 to 6 or 8 to 10. Total Time: 30 minutes 5 minutes to brief the activity 15 minutes for the activity 10 minutes to review and debrief Prerequisite: None. Running the Activity Explain the activity: The facilitator should pick a topic, such as learning, love,…

By Heather Hafner If you have followed our series on the DISC behavioral styles, then you are starting to see how it can be used to resolve conflict and build teams.  It is a powerful tool in implementing changes in human behavior.  As Aristotle said: “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Merrick Rosenberg, co-author of his first book, Taking Flight!, has made the DISC even easier to remember, and more meaningful, by pairing the four DISC letters with birds. Before going any further, here is a quick refresher: “D” refers to Dominant and is represented by an Eagle.…

You’ve learned how to use the DISC model in team building. You’ve also learned how to use it to resolve conflict in the workplace. Now, let’s explore how you can use the DISC styles to bring out the best in your team. As a leader, your ability to manage different personalities is crucial to your team’s success. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about the 4 different DISC styles and how you can help them to perform at their best. Before we go into each DISC style, let’s refresh your mind on what they are: “D” refers…

DISC JUNCTION Overview In this activity, participants are grouped according to their DISC style and are tasked with moving themselves to the opposite side of the box, using limited resources. Resources: 1 long piece of rope, at least 20m long. Alternatively, you can use duct tape. 12 pieces of carpet squares, or pieces of loose paper 2 short pieces of rope, about 2m long each Stopwatch/timer Space Required: Large. Can be indoors or outdoors. Group Size: Up to 20. For larger groups, split them up and run the activity each for smaller group. Total Time: 60 minutes 10 minutes to…

You’re in the middle of a work project and you’re about to step into a meeting to discuss the latest developments on how to move forward. But there’s a feeling of dread in your stomach and you’re not looking forward to it because you know it’ll be a fruitless meeting… just like the previous ones have been. The team is just not working well together, and you’re at your wits’ end. Sound familiar? At one time or another, we’ve all experienced being part of a team that just doesn’t gel and isn’t able to perform well. Conflict in the workplace…