Courageous Teaming Resources
Team Builders
Pass the Problem
Have the team sit together in a circle. Each team member should have a piece of paper. Instruct each team member to list their greatest team challenge at the top of the paper. On your queue, all team members should pass their challenge to the person to their right. Give everyone one minute to list as many solutions to the challenge they've been handed as possible. After one minute, instruct everyone to again pass the challenge on to the person to their right. Continue the activity until everyone has their original challenge . . . complete with a long list of solutions!
Team Yearbook
Create a yearbook of mementos, complete with each team member's profile (simple description of their skills, background, personal goals, favorites things, etc.). Be sure to also include photos and their senior quote. Just like your high school yearbook, add superlatives like the most likely to suck up to the boss, or the most likely to arrive to meetings late, etc.
Team Totem
Give all team members a physical reminder of the team's mission or purpose. Choose something that will likely be displayed in each person's line of sight as they use their computers — acting as a constant anchor and motivator.
Rotating Flip Charts
Divide the team into three groups. Situate each group at a flip chart. On the top of each flip chart, include a critical question, such as:
- What are our biggest team frustrations?
- What accomplishments are we most proud of?
- What actions can we take to overcome our frustrations and be proud of how we did so?
For one minute, have each group brainstorm their answers to the question on their flip chart. Then have each group rotate to the next question, and begin brainstorming again. Continue until all questions have been answered.
Lottery
Use this to re-energize the group during a long meeting. Give everyone a number at the beginning of the meeting. Then, at given intervals, draw a number. Make sure the prize is worth having!
