International Association of Teamwork Facilitators

Team Building Game: Mingle Mingle

Here's a team building activity you can use to divide a larger group into smallter groups in a fun way.  It's also useful to get people used to physical contact.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Teambuilding Game: Giant Egg Ladder

This teamwork exercise accomodates 4 to 8 people and is very challenging. 

This activity requires a high degree of concentration and coordination between team members.  Groups typically report that this teambuilding game looks easier than it really is.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Audio Interview: Andy Stefanovich on creativity and teamwork

Andy Stefanovich is the founder of Play and has been called one of the most disruptive and effective advisors in business.

Andy is an entrepreneur who leads what some would call the "uncompany". Part company, part community, part movement, Play brings creativity to business.

Andy and his team have helped companies like Mattel, Nationwide Insurance, Sara Lee, and General Motors reinvent the way they work and generate breakthrough ideas, brands, products and strategies.

The Center of Creative Leadership (CCL) evaluated Play using a tool that rates a company's ability to foster creativity -- Play not only beat CCL's benchmark model, it also beat all of the companies in CCL's database.

In this interview, Andy will share why creativity is vitally important to the success of your business and he will provide strategies and tactics that will help you build a creative community.

This audio interview is available only to IATF members HERE.  Become a member of the IATF HERE.

Team Building Games: Match Trick

This is a magic trick that I use to get the attention of key people in the group. 

For example, let's say your teambuilding workshop hasn't been introduced yet and you're able to be with the group prior to the start of the proram.  The participants probably suspect you're a presenter but they may not be sure.  I'll look over the room with the intent of picking out a few key people - - people who may become my ally during the teamwork training event. 

I'll then walk up to them and say I've got this cool magic trick to show them.  Almost no one can resist a cool magic trick so they always say "Let's see it."

I'll then show them the Match Trick.  I might repeat this with a few other people.

When I open up the workshop I'll mention the trick and share that the purpose of this teamwork training event is about building a high performing team.  Many people don't clearly understand how to build a high performing team.  And to some it will seem like magic.  In this workshop I will reveal the secrets to building a high performing team. 

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Audio Interview: Brian Biro, teambuilding expert, shares secrets from John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success"

Brian Biro is a teambuilding and leadership development expert and is the best-selling author of Beyond Success -- The 15 Secrets of Effectdive Leadership and Life Based on Lengendary John Wooden's Pyramid of Success.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Brian because he's a friend of mine and I've had the great pleasure of seeing him on stage delivering a powerful and life changing presentation.

I'm also excited to share this interview because Coach John Wooden is one of my all time favorite heroes and Brian shares wonderful insights about how Coach Wooden became such a powerful teacher.

Brian travels extensively speaking to groups around the US and the world.  He has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN's Business Unusual, and the Fox News Network and is a featured speaker at the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.  He is also one of the most joyful people you will ever meet.

CLICK HERE to listen to this audio interview.  You'll be taken to a password protected "Members Only Area".  Membership is free with your subscription to the free TeachMeTeamwork.com e-newsletter. 

Details about the Members Only Area HERE.

Team Building Games: Leg Nylon Head Ball

Okay, so this is a bizarre sight to see and yet, it's one of my most popular team building activities to date.  Try it, you'll like it!

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Audio Interview: Dr. Jasper Hunt describes the current state of education in the US and how experiential education can help

How big is the gap between traditional education and experiential education?

What roll can (should) experiential education play in a traditional education system?

In this interview I explore these two questions with Dr. Jasper Hunt, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Minnesota State University.  He has written extensively on ethical and philosophical issues surrounding the field of experiential education.

I first heard Jasper at an Association of Challenge Course Technology conference in 2005 when he was a panelist along with the top names in experiential education. 

What I love most about Jasper is his passion for experiential education and the depth of his insight.

CLICK HERE to listen to this audio interview.  You'll be taken to a password protected "Members Only Area".  Membership is free with your subscription to the free TeachMeTeamwork.com e-newsletter. 

Details about the Member Only Area HERE.

TeleSeminar: Ensure Success at Your Next Teambuilding Workshop – Leverage The 6 Fundamental Needs

Are you looking for a framework upon which to build your training design?

If yes, read this true training story…

The year was 1994. I was delivering a two-day management-training module to management level staff in one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world.  At the end of the training one of the participants walked up and said…

“How did you do that?”

I looked at him and said, “What do you mean?”

He said my style of training was the best he’d ever seen and he wanted me to share my training secrets with his staff back home.

He was on to me. 

I did have a secret.

I had learned this secret while attending a training event led by a guy who many consider to be the top success coach in the world. 

This secret, as it was taught to me, provided an explanation to the age-old question of…

“Why do people do the things they do?”

The answer is simple and profound.

What drives human behavior is our desire get our needs met.

And there are only 6 needs. 

If you know what these 6 needs are and you design your training event to meet them in a positive way, your workshop participants will be amazed and delighted.

This is what I had done in this workshop - - I had designed my two-day training event making sure I gave participants ample opportunities to meet their 6 fundamental needs in positive and affirming ways. 

And once you know these 6 fundamental needs your leadership paradigm will shift. 

You can apply the same model to help make your one-on-one leadership coaching that much more effective. 

You can even apply the same model to building a vibrant organization. 

By consciously designing your organizational culture around having these 6 fundamental needs met you will build an unstoppable team. 

I led this TeleSeminar live on February 22, 2007 and the 90-minute recording along with the class notes are found in the IATF Members Only Area.  You can learn more about IATF member benefits HERE.

Team Building Games: Human Bingo

This is a great icebreaker activity for team building workshops.  It gets people moving and interacting with one another.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Team Building Game -- Hammer Puzzle

This is less a team building game and more of an optical illusion, but it's a great way to start some discussion about what's possible or thinking outside the box.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

In teamwork, emotional intelligence is the crucial social lubricant

Daniel Goleman is the author of the NY Times best seller entitled "Emotional Intelligence" and "Social Intelligence - The New Science of Human Relationships".

Goleman's work has direct applications in the world of teamwork.  In a recent post at his blog, Goleman reports on two independent studies that reflect the power of emotional and social intelligence.

If you were trapped by a blizzard and your very survival depended on how well you could work together with a handful of other people, what should you wish for in your team-mates? A goodly dose of emotional intelligence.

That conclusion stems from two independent studies reported in the journal Human Performance. In both studies teams of volunteers were posed the challenge of how to survive in simulation of desperate survival scenarios, like a blizzard. Close to 20 teams were evaluated on how well they came up with solutions that would help them survive.

The champion teams, both studies found, were highest in group emotional intelligence. Intriguingly, when individuals were given the same challenge, their cognitive ability (as measured by SAT scores – these were college students) was the best predictor of survival. But once people were put in a team situation, individual cognitive ability made virtually no difference – instead emotional intelligence made the difference.

CLICK HERE to read Goleman's full post on this subject.

Team Building Game: Ground Slap

This team building game is one that is used metaphorically to initiate a number of discussions about how we can work more cooperatively as a group.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Team Building Game: Green Blue Black

After challenging a group with this teamwork activity I ask the group to describe their experience.  I then like to share how this team building workshop is similar to the Green Blue Black puzzle in that we are going to explore concepts you already have some experiences with (communication, problem solving, trust, etc.) and we are going to do this work in a way that helps us gain greater mastery of the subject through practice.

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

 

Get instant access to the growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding game directions which include:

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

Over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups and growing!

All this and MORE when you become a member of the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators.  CLICK HERE to explore the list of member benefits.

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

 

Team Building Game - Full Contact Pinata

If you've ever had a wild hair, you'll likely love this activity.  Is this teambuilding?  Well, if it is, it's a stretch.  But it is fun.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Team Building Games - Eye Scream

This team building game requires no props and gets folks moving.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Audio Interivew: Dr. Paul Pearsall speaks on the essential nature of stress, how to leverage it as a leader and as a team

True or False: Stress is good for you.

Conventional wisdom insists that the statement is false, that stress is a thief robbing us (and our team) of our joy and creativity (and money!).

But for centuries, poets and philosophers have celebrated the ups and downs of life as the very essence of living, the spice that enables us to taste life fully.

So who's right?

Dr. Paul Pearsall, author of several New York Times bestselling books (including one of my favorites entitled "The Heart's Code") stress is not the problem.  Rather, it is our negative reaction to stress that does the damage.

Pearsall says that rather than shrinking from adversity, we must become engaged by it--and thrive through it--before we can savor all the sweetness life (and teamwork) has to offer.

Listen to this 20 minute audio interview as famed clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Paul Pearsall shares how you can use stress to live a more fulfilling life as a leader of teams.  Click on the link below to listen to the mp3 file.

Download dr. Paul Pearsall mp3.mp3

Team Building Games: ESP

In this team building game, participants learn how to anticipate actions of others.  What are the benefits and drawbacks of this type of action?  Learn here and discuss with your teammates.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE

Team Building Games: Electric Hands

This team activity is fast-paced and fun.  Though it can be seen as a competitive game, you as leader can set the tone for the objective of fun.

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

I'll send you the complete teambuilding game write-up!  Just subscribe to my free TeachMeTeamwork.com teamwork ideas e-newsletter (see the form in the right hand column).  In addition to receiving a free teambuilding games e-book, I'll regularly send you complete and detailed lead-it-yourself instructions to teambuilding games like the one above.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

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

Over time you'll receive over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups for FREE. 

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Do you need immediate access to my growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding games?  When you purchase my popular Multimedia 3-CD Training Bundle, I'll immediately send you the password to my online archive of teambuilding game write-ups.  Learn more HERE.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE