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Teambuilding
(Click Here for Printable Version) TEAMWORK : LESSON FROM GEESE As each bird flaps it wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone. Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going faster and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front. Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and will be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others). When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership — with people as with geese, we are interdependent on each other. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our “honking” from behind is encouraging — and not something else. When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the wounded or ill goose until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or catch up with the flock. Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong. - Milton Olsen
Building your group into a team takes work. It’s not something you can just hope happens. Sometimes, teambuilding takes place at the beginning of a group’s development, but can also happen during the year when: members seem bored or irritable; members seem to be going in different directions or building cliques; there is conflict; members have been apart for a while (breaks, etc.).
TEAMBUILDING EXCERCISES Intimate interviews : members pair off and interview one another for 5 minutes each. Partners introduce each other to the group speaking in the first person using “I” as if s/he were the person being introduced. They should be sure to include everything s/he can remember about their partner. Personal Crest : members make personal coat of arms in which they express important aspects about themselves through drawings or short phrases. Possible topics/questions to include: most significant event in your life, goal for the year, where you’d like to be in 5 years. Human Knot: members stand in a circle and extend their right hands into the middle and grab someone else’s hand. Repeat using the left hand. Untangle the knot without unclasping hands. Line-ups : group is told to line up in order by birth date, age, tallest to shortest, etc. without talking. Then split into groups (birthday months, etc) and do a task (i.e. create a cheer for July). Brainstorm : suggest ideas without judgment in a large group setting to create new ideas. Other : potlucks, meals, retreats done together as a group can break the monotony.
HOW TO BUILD A TEAM One of the most efficient and effective ways to build a team is to set aside a two or three hour block of time early in the year. A comfy, informal environment works best - someone’s living room, a carpeted meeting room, a quiet lounge. Make teambuilding the only agenda item.
GIVE PEOPLE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THEMSLEVES & LISTEN TO OTHERS. • Why were you interested in becoming an officer/member? • What do you expect to learn from this experience? •What is the biggest asset you bring to the group? • What is your biggest worry about joining this group? • What is your perception of yourself as a leader/member? • In regard to the group, what did you feel best about last year (for returning officers)? What was most difficult for you? • Share any areas of interest, special expertise, etc. Share weak areas you want to improve. • What emotion is the most difficult for you to express? • What do you want to see this organization do?
An advisor could facilitate this so ALL members can participate.
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