International Association of Teamwork Facilitators

Teams In Trouble: Strategies for Consensus - How To Avoid False Agreements

Student Only Area

Everyone is in the room.  It’s time to make a decision and run with it.  You want buy-in from everyone.  You want consensus.

But how do you know you’re truly building consensus?

TRUE STORY:
A team recently met to decide on their top three departmental objectives for 2006. The decision would affect everyone in the department.

After 20 minutes of discussion, the team leader summed up what he thought were the top three objectives on the table. He then asked the group if there was a consensus in adopting his stated objectives. Some people nodded, others remained silent but did not raise any concerns. Based on what the leader observed, he felt a consensus had been reached. 

However, a week later he heard through the grapevine that a couple of his team members had serious reservations about the objectives and where the department will be focusing its future resources.  One member even said “There’s no way I’m going to support this!”

The team leader was heard saying “Why the hell didn’t someone speak up when I asked if we had a consensus?”

You are the facilitator and you’ve been called in to help the team.  What do you do?

On Wednesday August 2, 2006 at 11 am EST you can learn how my colleague Michael Goldman of FacilitationFirst.com uses a proven tool to help a team reach consensus.  He will answer these questions:

• What makes consensus building difficult to attain? 
• Why is consensus the preferred decision-making option on teams?
• What are the 3 key components of a consensus building process?

I’ll share one of my favorite teambuilding activities that helps teams EXPERIENCE what it takes to reach consensus in a conscious way.  Come to this TeleSeminar with your computer connected to the internet and you can watch me lead this experiential learning exercise LIVE (in real time) with a couple of volunteers from the TeleSeminar audience!

The live team building activity I’m leading requires everyone to have access to the internet while they are on the call.  If you come to the call without internet access you’ll just have to use your imagination during the 5 minutes I lead the activity.

Once you learn the activity, you’ll be able to lead it with a group over the phone (like I’m going to do) or you can lead it live at your next workshop.

NOTE:  Your registration fee includes a license to use BOTH the facilitation process and the teambuilding game with the groups you directly serve.

At the end of the call we will provide all listeners with detailed written instructions on how to lead the team building game AND detailed written instructions on how to lead the facilitation process.   \

This is an exciting collaboration between Michael and myself as we bring you the best of both worlds:  teambuilding games and facilitation skills.

Here are the details:

Title of This Special TeleSeminar:

Teams In Trouble: Strategies for Consensus - - How To Avoid False Agreements

Time of the Call:

Wednesday August 2 at 11 am Eastern (New York) time
call runs for 75 minutes

Register Here:

CLICK HERE to register.  Registration is closed.

Cost to you: $37 

What You Get:

1. 75 minute LIVE teleclass with experienced TeleSeminar leaders Michael Goldman and Tom Heck
2. Clear and detailed notes on how to lead the teambuilding game - - your registration fee includes a license to use this teambuilding game with the groups you directly serve.
3. Clear and detailed notes on how to lead the facilitation process - - your registration fee includes a license to use this facilitation process with the groups you directly serve.
4. A recording of the TeleSeminar in mp3 format.
5. 50% discount on Teams In Trouble Vol. 1 multimedia training CD
6. Time with Michael and Tom during the Q&A session.  This is your time to ask questions about how to apply the lesson with your team.

About The Presenters

Michael Goldman is the senior consultant and President of Facilitation First. With over twelve years in the field, Michael facilitates and designs interventions to meet the changing needs of his clients' business strategies. Michael enjoys long standing relationships with a diverse clientele ranging from financial institutions to First Nations. Among his areas of expertise, Michael has a passion for team interventions, guiding strategic planning sessions, and building internal capacity.

Tom Heck is the President & Founder of the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators. Tom is a veteran of the team and leadership development field and has trained leaders and Teamwork Facilitators from North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Central & South America, and Australasia.  The tools he’s developed (books, multimedia training CDs, teambuilding activities, audio programs, etc.) are used by facilitators, trainers and coaches to transform teams around the world.  Through the IATF, Tom leads a team of subject matter experts (Visiting Faculty Members) who provide cutting edge strategies, tactics and tools for Teamwork Facilitators around the world.

TeleSeminar: How You Can Build a Large (25,000+) Mailing List And Change The World

How many people do you want to influence?

When I created the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators I knew I wanted to influence as many people as possible.

When I started out I had one subscriber to my newsletter - - me!  Now, 3 1/2  5 years later there are over 25,000 40,000 subscribers to the IATF e-newsletter.

On July 26, 2006 I led a live TeleSeminar where I shared the 4 key strategies I’ve used to build the IATF list which has allowed me to touch people’s lives around the world.

You'll hear me share a recent success story of how I leveraged my list, provided great value and generated $10,000 in sales in just 5 days (all with integrity).  As my friend Mark Silver says, you can do your great work (your heart centered work) in this world AND make money doing it.

In the recording you'll also hear me share some of the mistakes I’ve made along the way. 

Perhaps you have a grand vision to implement.  You want to share your gifts with the world.  You want to help thousands of people live a better life.  You want to sell products that improve lives.  You want to build strategic alliances with like-minded people.  You want to expand your own consciousness.  You want to have fun and think big. Building a large newsletter subscriber list has helped me do all of this.

Now I'd like to help you learn the secrets needed to build your list.

Check out the comments from the participants below.  You'll see that the recording provides REAL strategies that work.

Purchase this recording now $79  CLICK HERE

NOTE:  This recording is only available for IATF members.  Become a member CLICK HERE

Tom Heck to speak at the Adventure Group Symposium

Would you like to learn more about adventure education?  If yes, you must attend the September 2006 Adventure Group Symposium to be held in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

In addition to the engaging conference workshops, there will be some great pre-conference workshops led by some of the best trainers in the industry.  The location is amazing and the high ropes courses you'll have a chance to play on are state of the art.

I'll be leading a teambuilding games workshop during the conference and I'll be delivering a keynote presentation as well.  I hope you can join me for this event.

Tom Heck interviewed by Scott Chesney on Internet Radio Program "Maximizing Life"

A couple of years ago I had the great opportunity to work as a lead trainer at Discovery Camp, a leadership program for teens created by the Anthony Robbins Foundation.

My job was to help train the teachers who accompanied the students to the camp.  I taught the teachers how to use experiential teambuilding games to build community in the classroom.  I also taught how to integrate the games into the existing curriculumn so as to drive home important lessons.

It was a powerful and transformational camp filled with teachers and students who were committed to improving themselves and the world.  Be sure to watch the video clips when you visit the link to the camp.

One of the people I met at Discovery Camp was Scott Chesney.  Scott is a motivational speaker and success coach who now has an internet radio program entitled "Maximizing Life with Scott Chesney".  Scott interviewed me today with the topic being "Maximizing Teamwork".

It was my first time being interviewed on live radio.  Having to pay attention to commercial breaks was fun.

Listen to the interview here.

Teambuilding Game: Warp Speed

Warp Speed is a simple yet powerful teambuilding game that requires simple props (4 balls).

The team creates a sequence that the balls must travel through (balls moving from one person to another).

Then give the group these instructions:  "Pass the four balls through the sequence as quickly and effeciently as possible."

Thats all you need to tell the team.  Give the team multiple attempts to lower their time.  To get faster they will have to think outside the box.

Read Safety Warning

Would you like to lead this teambuilding game with your group?

Follow the link below to read detailed directions on how to lead this teamwork exercise which include:

• Setup & Preparation
• Rules
• Comments and insights about the teambuilding game
• Debriefing suggestions
• Variations
• Detailed "how to make it" if props are involved

CLICK HERE to read complete lead-it-yourself instructions.  You will be taken to a password protected "Member Only Area".  Become a Member - Learn how HERE.