Teams are tasked with building a structure using the resources provided in just ten minutes. The structure must be big enough so a team member can completely pass under it in less than one minute. Creative thinking, cooperation and time management are essential in this challenge. Time: 20 minutes 2 minutes for task Introduction 10 minutes to build the structure 3 minute to test (based on 3 groups) 5 minutes to reviewing and debrief Space required: Small. Either Indoors or Outdoors Resources: 3 cereal or shoe boxes 3 cardboard tubes (12 inches [30cm] or less) 1 sheet of sticky labels…
Author: David Priestley
In most cases, the best meetings are short meetings. One of the reasons most meetings get a bad rap is that they tend to drag on too long. That often happens when a few individuals monopolize the proceedings, or teams constantly veer away from high-priority issues. New team leaders or managers who aren’t accustomed to running team meetings may defer too much to attendees. Or they may overcompensate for their lack of experience by encouraging prolonged debate and discussion. By preparing well and keeping everyone focussed on what counts, you can provide high-quality productive meetings in good time while motivating…
As a team leader, there will be times when you’ll need to criticise team members. You’ll dread it at first. But with experience and a bit of practice, it will become easier. Dishing out criticism tests your communication skills. If you do it right, you can transform a negative experience into something empowering and motivating for your team members. Identify Opportunities As a rule, only give criticism in private. You don’t want your employees to feel self-conscious. Also, begin on a positive note. Use phrases such as, “This may help…” or “Here’s an idea…” And never criticise an employee’s personality,…
In this ice breaker, your team work together to try and make a connection between two seemingly unrelated items. For example, a number of possibilities arise when asked to make a connection between grass and a book: You can use a blade of grass as a bookmark You can sit or lay on the grass to read the book You need light to read the book and grass needs light to grow Books have a unique smell as do books Give the group two minutes to come up with as many connections as possible. Here are ten more random connections to…
Reflection is a process that starts with looking back on an experience or activity, analysing it through the use of questions, learning from it and then using the lessons learned in the future when doing a similar experience.  This can be done either as reflection in-action (during the activity) or on-action (after the activity). Reflection provides both individuals, small groups and teams with the opportunity to establish connections between new and existing knowledge and to deepen their level of understanding through self-discovery and learning through active experimentation. The Woodcutter There once was a woodcutter who spent every day cutting down trees.…
When delivering a workshop or meeting, sometimes your team have some great ideas which aren’t linked to your current topic or discussion but are worth considering at a later time. Instead of ignoring these ideas (potential game changers) try using the parking space method and ask someone in the group to note them down. This allows you to discuss them in greater detail at a later time without interrupting the current flow of discussion. If something comes up that’s not relevant to the discussion ‘park’ it in the parking space. Place a large sheet of paper on the wall and…
If your team are lacking motivation, aren’t as productive as usual, or are dissatisfied and at odds with each other, then it’s time for a tune-up. But how do you get your underachieving team to give you their best? Know Your Team Take the time to get to know each member of your team. Plan a few team-building activities and make notes of each person’s strengths and weaknesses. Factor in time to sit down with them and identify (together) areas where skill development could help both individuals move forward and benefit the team. Allocate suitable roles within the team they…
See or be seen is an exercise that will help presenters become less self-concious and explore the idea of focus. This is exercise is typically used in acting classes, to teach actors how to become more relaxed and allow them to get the best performance possible with the fear of judgement from others. See or be seen can also be an excellent exercise for developing presentation and public speaking skills – especially for those worried about talking in front of others. Exercise instructions: Half the group will be the audience and remain seated. The other half, the presenters, stand in a…
Okay, so not that F word – the other one, ‘Failure’. When we hear the word we think only negative thoughts but why is failure considered so bad? Besides the obvious fact that failing doesn’t feel particularly good; failure provides an opportunity to learn through the experience, teaches resilience and allows you to adapt and refine your approach on your road to success. It is important to understand that failure of some sort is unavoidable and to be expected – it’s simply a part of life. In order to move forwards and develop, you have to step out of your…
The aim of this workshop is for groups to discuss and agree on the definition and purpose of teams in the work context. This includes describing key characteristics and understanding how these characteristics can help form effective teams and overall team success. Resources required: Flip-chart paper and coloured markers, team definition and effective team template (see below). Group Size: 8 to 15 ideally Total Time: 70 minutes 25 minutes for Part 1: What are teams? 35 minutes for Part 2: Characteristics of effective teams 10 minutes to review and debrief Facilitators’ notes: Part 1 – What are teams? Open the workshop by explaining that you…
One person in the team is selected to be ‘the willow’ and stands in an upright and rigid position in the center of a circle. On your instruction, the person in the centre of the circle (the willow) is gently passed around the circle in any direction by the spotters. The willow must keep their feet absolutely still at all times and put their trust in the rest of the team. The objective of this exercise is to develop trust and improve teamwork through cooperation and support. It is important that you monitor safety closely throughout the exercise. Only use this activity…
This is a quick initiative exercise using lateral thinking. Before you begin, use the sticks to create the shape of a wine glass with a fly placed in it (see below). Introduce the challenge and explain that they must recreate the wine glass without the fly in it. To complete the challenge, they are only allowed to move just two sticks. The remaining sticks and the fly must not move. Resources required: Each team needs four sticks of equal length (use can also use matchsticks if space is limited) and one fly-like object e.g. a cone or a bean bag Space Required: Small.…