I am putting together a team building day for an already existing team who will be changing Managers soon and have recently aquired some new team members. It is a full day event however the first part is already planned. I am looking for ideas on team events and getting the most out of a half day team building session with them. We normally look at external providers however this needs to be an internal solution so I am looking for cost effectiveness too. Any games/activities/hints and tips will be greatly received.
Joanne Hord
7 Responses
Stick with the tried and tested ones!
Joanne
I have been running team building days for a long time in a variety of business situations. One of the best for learning, participation and fun if you prepare it well with a bit innovation, is the PIT card game. If you’re not aware of it you can read it up on the http://www.businessballs.com website.
If you need any help in running similar days in the future, just give me a call.
Regards
Tom
the minefield
Joanne
you haven’t said how many folk you have on the day so if it is less than 12 don’t bother to read on….
if you have over 12 people the business minefield is an excellent exercise that I have found works really well. It is (despite the name) not macho and doesn’t require any level of physical skill or expertise outside most business teams. It make points about empowerment, team working, inter team working, communications, recognition, consideration, and lots of other things that YOU can choose. It requires about £15 worth of materials and is quite fun for participants. It can take up anything from one hour to half a day depending on the time you want to fill/points you want to make.
If it one you aren’t familiar with it I am happy to talk you through it and then if you want to use it I can let you have an instruction for it.
Rus
Hole In Space
I’m a facilitator for a 2-day experiential program on teambuilding called “Growing Successful Teams.” One great activity requires a hula hoop and the group standing in a cirlce holding hands. I usually start by telling them the circle they are in represents a negative workplace. A place where people don’t work together, belittle each other behind their backs, where some people call in frequently or do less work than others, so a few are doing an extraordinary amount of work. It’s a place they want to get out of. Fortunately they’ve found a magical Hole-In-Space which can transport them to a workplace where everyone respects each other, works on goals together and supports each other. In order to get to this place, they must each pass through the hoop connected to the other people on their team (holding hands), but in order to not take any negativity along, none of their clothes, hair, body or anything else connected to them can touch the hoop. I hand the hoop to two people and let one know that their right hand must always be touching the hoop and the other person that their left hand must always be touching. These are the only part of anyone in the group that can touch. The hoop cannot touch the ground either. If you want more info, contact me at acherny@oneidanation.org
Psychological Profiling
Have you considered including a psychological profiling technique such as the Myers Briggs? The great advantage is that it gives group members insight into both their own style and that of other people. Participants are given a language and set of concepts that they can then use to reflect upon how they are behaving – who is contributing what etc?
Alec Thomas
A different idea
Joanna,
Something sticks in my mind from a time when a new manager joined our team -I’m assuming that’s happening with this team? It’s called a transition interview. It’s an opportunity for the team to get to know some info. the new person, quickly, and broadly. It’s facilitated by someone, in this case, you. The team members submit the questions they want, beforehand. You collate them, and sort into some kind of order. Then you ask the new manager the questions. Sounds simple, and the process is, but the outcome can be powerful. This assumes your new person is happy to do this. I can tell you more if you want.
Best wishes,
Rob Sheffield
Ali Babas Carpet
I have used the Ali Baba exercise with great success. All you need for it are some bath towels or small rugs and some space in a room. The purpose of the exercise is to get groups to look more broadly at the resource and support within a whole team and not just resort to using their own resources, or that of a few. If you are interested in getting the full method, email me at philippa.hain@ntlworld.com and I will be happy to help.
BE CREATIVE
As an OD professional I always look for creative solutions:
Don’t call it team building, as this is now a jaded term; Use free drawing in order to determine where they are at – this helps them to acknowldege any anxieties; Establish working values (aka ground rules); get some of the participants to help plan the day; Use EQ as a strater for 10. Happy to discuss. Good Luck