These sessions are indicated when you want a mix of fun games, challenges and simulations with a concentration in a specific area of team/group development. The person leading these sessions will be a top shelf facilitator who teaches the subject(s) for a number of local universities.
Pick from any of the three areas of concentration below or let us know if there is another specific issue you wish to address. These 2.5 hour sessions will utilize three activities to stimulate dialogue, learning and takeaways about the subject at hand.
TRUST AND COMMUNICATION
The foundation of a healthy team, nourished with the following activities;
- The Mission; team must carry a tennis ball balanced atop an inverted 3 gallon bucket. The bucket can only be moved by blindfolded team members utilizing an octopus-like device with ropes stemming from it. The remaining team members will act as coaches but may only assist with clear communication and no physical contact.
- Perspectives; The most challenging Listening exercise we have ever come upon. The team must determine the proper order of 31 drawings on 8 and ½ by 11 frames. Every member of the team will have one or two of these but may not show it to anybody, she may only describe the drawing to the rest of the team. With patience and good listening skills a vision a shared vision eventually emerges.
- Escher’s’ Dilemma; using puzzle pieces inspired by the famous Dutch painter M.C. Escher the group must assemble the puzzle without the benefit of verbal communication. Every member of the team has one clue to the solution.
LEVERAGING STRENGTHS
All high performing teams have found ways really understanding the special strength and talent that every member can bring to the table. Many teams unfortunately only have a glib understanding of this and consequently never capitalize on it. This session will help the group to better define these strengths and agree on ways to tap into these.
- The Strengths Funnel; this 45 minute activity will help individuals in the group articulate a key strength through a series of fast questions for reflection.
- Planks Cycle Time Puzzle; this one hour activity will act as a metaphor for what it is like to be a part of a team that leverages strengths and shares accountability. This very complex 14 piece puzzle needs to be assembled in 30 seconds or less from scratch. The group has a full 55 minutes to determine what approach to take to make it happen and practice until ready for the final test.
- Warp Speed; A simple yet highly creative process improvement activity involving a tennis ball. The team must generate ideas about different ways to have the ball come into contact with all its’ members. The idea is to see how fast it can happen. Not unusual to see an initial 16 seconds become .9!
INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
Innovate or Die has been one of the mantras of the last two decades. But what are the competencies and useful behaviors that a team can adopt to nourish this? We will touch on a few of these during the session and offer the team some useful ways to engage in parallel thinking during critical discussions about new products, procedures or technology.
- A Penny for Your Drops; this amazing activity requires only a penny, a medicine/eye dropper and a glass of water. A real mindset buster that initiates a discussion about what is possible.
- The Marshmallow Challenge; every critical project, conversation or new product launching has its share of marshmallows. Curious? Once you try this 20 minute activity you will understand. 18 minutes to create a free standing tower with limited resources. The structure must have a full marshmallow at the top.
- The Prototype; this activity will be reminiscent of Apollo13. Each team is given a bag of assorted junk (from pipe cleaners to cardboard, wood blocks, marbles, straws, etc…). They have one hour to develop and build a new product prototype, such as a ‘future’ invention that will solve some world problem, a new game, a therapeutic device, a toy, the possibilities are endless. This activity is done in small teams of 4 participants, at the end of one hour they present. Prepare yourself to be amazed!
