International Association of Teamwork Facilitators

Teamwork -- a funny video clip explaining what it is

A lesson on giving joy

Here's a video of "The Balloon Man" visiting a nursing home that will likely touch your heart.

Are you clear about why you're here?

Do you know what it means to be living your personal mission (life purpose)?

Is your team clear about how their personal mission aligns with the organization's mission?

I can help you and your team get clear.  Contact me to learn how.

Playful teamwork helps provide clean drinking water to millions in Africa

Did you know...

• Right now, half the people in developing countries are suffering from water-related diseases.

• Water-related diseases are responsible for 80% of all sickness in the world.

• About 4 billion cases of diarrhea per year cause 2.2 million deaths.

• 1.7 million children under the age of five die from diarrhea each year.

The brilliant people at PlayPumps International have found a way to help improve the lives of children and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa. 

Check out this delightful video clip.  You'll witness children at play (working together) while they supply clean drinking water for their community.

Team Skills Trainer Creates New Movie: "Closer Than Close -- A Portrait of Seeking And Finding Our True Self"

My friend and fellow teamwork trainer Shawn Nevins has produced a fascinating film entitled "Closer Than Close -- A Portrait of Seeking And Finding Our True Self".

"Closer than Close" is a spiritual cinema documentary that investigates the spiritual search – the search for the essential questions of human life...

Is there an eternal part of ourselves?

What has lasting meaning?

Where do we find certainty?

Rather than philosophical discussion, Shawn's documentary explores the possibility of living a life devoted to a search for answers, and the radical possibility that answers exist, closer than we can imagine, within our selves.

When an individual (team member) becomes clear on (awakens to) their True Self magic happens.  Organizations also benefit from clarity.  And you'll find true power when the individual team members are aligned with the mission and vision of the organization.

Watch this  clip from Shawn's film:

STOMP -- 5 things I learned about teamwork while watching people beat the hell out of trash cans and brooms

I took my 8 year old son to see STOMP while they were in Asheville.

Have you seen STOMP?  It's the most amazing show.  It ranks right up their with Cirque du Soleil.

It is very difficult to classify the show STOMP. It could be put under the heading of theater, dance, music or performance art.

STOMP is performed in theaters, but it is not a play, musical, or opera. It is not theater in the traditional sense of the word. There is no speech, dialogue or plot. However, it does have two characteristics of traditional theater: mime and characterization.

STOMP will make you laugh.  It's a fun show filled with rhythm and percussion of all sorts.

The show in Asheville was 1 hour 45 minutes long and NON STOP (no intermission).  My son was on the edge of his seat the entire time - - fully engaged.  The packed audience gave a long standing ovation at the end.

As I'm watching I'm thinking - - "This is an amazing demonstration of teamwork!"

The top 5 things I learned about teamwork at STOMP:

1. Teamwork takes lots of practice (if you want to play big).

Watch the video clips below and you'll see the cast members of STOMP performing just a couple of the many amazing routines we witnessed in person.  It took the cast members hours and hours of practice to get to this level of proficiency.  They practice before hitting the road for the STOMP tour and they practice during the tour.  Having worked with and observed many a team, I can say with confidence that most teams (business teams) practice VERY little if ever.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  We would never expect to step on the stage in front of a packed theater unless we practiced with intensity and focus and for many days.  And yet, we expect the teams we manage to run well without practicing team skills.  What I'm talking about here is TRAINING and DEVELOPMENT.

2. Teamwork requires pacing.

The video clips I've provided below give a sample of the high energy nature of the show.  However, the performers aren't always exerting an extreme level of energy during the show.  Because the show is non-stop (no intermission) the performers must pace themselves.  There are segments when the routine requires an extreme level of physical output and there are routines that require standing and shaking match boxes.  The ebb and flow of the show allows the performers to pace themselves.  Do you pace yourself?  Does your team pace itself?  When I worked for the YMCA the average "senior director" lasted only 2 years on the job because most burned out.  I met a long-time CEO who worked for the YMCA who spoke at a conference and his message was "pace yourself".  He admitted he wasn't good at pacing himself and had been divorced three times.  Each of his wives told him (pleaded with him) to remember his family and relationships outside of work.  If you can't pace yourself then you won't make it.

3. When everyone is fully committed you can risk more.

I saw an interview with the STOMP cast members and they were asked about the seemingly dangerous nature of some of the routines.  Yes, they said, people can get hurt but they know everyone is fully committed and that makes it easier to trust and thus, risk more. When things move slow (this show doesn't) it's easier to get buy with low trust.  But have you been reading the headlines at Google News?  We don't live in a slow moving world anymore.  Slow = out of business.  If you even want to step on the field of play you better be ready for speed.  The number one ingredient of speed is TRUST.  Have you read (and applied) the lessons from Stephen M.R. Covey's book "The Speed of Trust"?

4. The audience LOVES to watch a high functioning team succeed.

Watching STOMP is totally engaging.  People love to see a group of people in sync.  It reminds us of what we're all capable of.  STOMP wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if the show was made up of a series of solo performances.  The power of the show comes from the fact that it's a TEAM of people working together in perfect harmony.  Why do the performers receive standing ovations in city after city?  Because they give it all up for the audience and we know it.  But giving your all for the audience is not enough.  It's the fact that all the performers working together as one unit produce a breathtaking show that makes you smile from ear to ear.  If your customers saw the inner workings of your team (business/organization) would it make people smile from ear to ear?

5. The resources we need are all around us.

During the show the performers used a wide variety of every-day items as percussion instruments - - brooms, trash cans, buckets, match boxes, sand, pipes, newspapers, etc.  Can you imagine how these artists view the world?  Everything is an instrument to them!  Opportunities to create music are everywhere!  Now apply this same lesson to your team (business/organization).  Do you see opportunities everywhere?  If you don't, it's not because they don't exist, it's because you can't see them (yet).

Video Clips

I've embeded a video clip below and here are a couple of links to other great routines:

Above NYC hanging and banging

Famous broom rhythm routine

Ask the teamwork coach: How do you design and run large group meetings?

Here's an email I received through my "Ask The Teamwork Coach" service:

I'm in charge of a large meeting at my organization and I need some tips on how to plan and run this meeting.  Help!

My good friend Michael Goldman at FacilitationFirst.com specializes in training people how to lead (facilitate) meetings. 

Click HERE to read Michael's Tips for Designing and Running a Large Group Meeting - - this link will take you to one of his free e-newsletters. 

Some of the topics he discusses:

• Pre Meeting - Managing the Client
• Room Logitics
• During the Meeting - Managing the Group

Teambuilding Game: Funderbird

The Funderbird teamwork activity can be used as an effective icebreaker when it's time to get people out of their seats, moving and working as a team while having fun.

The basic challenge is for the team of 6-10 people to keep hitting the Funderbird in the air with their hand.  Ask the group to keep it going for 20 consecutive hits.  If the Funderbird touches the ground the group must start over. 

If you have a large group simply divide into teams of 6-10 and supply each group with their own Funderbird.

You can make or buy a Funderbird.  Click the link below to learn how.

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

Make Your Organization Stronger - - Be Charitable

The evil-doers thought our financial strength here in the US resided in the World Trade Center towers.  They calculated that blowing them up with all the people in them would cause our economic collapse.

They were wrong.

Do you know why?

Thomas Friedman explains why the evil-doers plans didn't work in his book Longitudes & Attitudes - Exploring The World After September 11.

Friedman says the evil doers of 9-11 see us as a god-less nation.  The evil-doers believe our financial abundance is a result of, a reflection of our total lack of all things spiritual.

What's the truth?

Friedman mentions it in his book and now, new research shows the same answer...

Our abundance here in the US comes from the fact that Americans are remarkably charitable. 

And charity makes you rich.

Here's what a recent article from Conde Naste Portfolio.com says:

The United States is a remarkably charitable nation. The Giving U.S.A. Foundation estimates that Americans donated nearly $300 billion to charity in 2006—more than the gross domestic product (the annualized value of goods and services produced within a nation) of all but 33 countries in the world. More than three-quarters of this came from private individuals. Additional research suggests that between 65 and 85 percent of Americans give to charities each year.

         How does all this generosity relate to our high average levels of prosperity?  Read the article HERE to find out.

Now, apply this to your team - -

Do you want to prosper as a team (organization)?  If you answered yes, then you need to take a close look at your current level of charity.  Consider giving to the United Way or the Red Cross.

Do you want to become more attractive to the Gen-Y employee?  Then you better have a robust and visible plan for charity and volunteerism.

Using Teambuilding Games to Teach Spiritual Lessons -- Tom Heck of the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators Interviewed by Linda Pannell of ConsciousAlliances.com

What is the relationship between teamwork and spirituality?

Why is it that teaching team skills through experiential learning activities (games, simulations, etc.) that people learn at a deeper, more heart centered level?

What will happen when we come together as one on a global level?  What will be different?

I answered these questions and more when Linda Pannell of ConsciousAlliances.com interviewed me for her TeleSeminar series entitled "Healing The Heart of the Earth and Her Children". 

CLICK HERE to listen to the 60 minute interview (mp3 file).

How are we all "One" and yet separate?

Teams are made up of individuals who, when they are fully living their passion, share their unique gifts so that all may prosper.

It's a paradox. 

We are all One.  We are all connected.

And yet...

We are separate.  (at least it appears that way)

How to explain this paradox?  Check out this amazing and GIANT piece of art.  Look very carefully at the small pieces (squares) and you'll discover each square is it's own picture.  All pieces are unique and when assembled just right (when the pieces work as a team) a beautiful picture emerges.

CLICK HERE to view this picture and be able to click on the smaller pictures to see what's really going on.

Are you looking for an opportunity to bring your team together as One?  Do you want your team members to get clear on their talents and gifts so they can more fully contribute to the team effort?  I can help you.  Contact me to schedule a time to talk about your needs, goals and dreams.

Ask The Teamwork Coach: How do you motivate a team?

Here's an "Ask The Teamwork Coach" email I received from a TeachMeTeamwork.com member:

I'm a manufacturing/process engineer and as a peson in charge of Continuous Improvement, how do I motivate a team? How do I inspire them to want to be there, to want to make a difference, or in some cases to want to make the time to be at the meeting in the first place.

This goes for hourly people as well as salaried people whose stake is somewhat higher than just the "normal" hourly persons.

-- John

John poses an important question.  How do we motivate people?  How do we inspire our team?

The place to start is to understand the difference between "inspiration" and "motivation".  In his book entitled ONE: The Art And Practice of Conscious Leadership Dr. Lance Secretan offers an important insight on the differences between inspiration and motivation.  Watch the short video clip below to see Dr. Secretan address this very issue live before an audience:

To lead from a place of inspiration one must be inspired.  You can't fake inspiration.  If you aren't living an inspired life then it will be impossible to lead from a place of inspiration.

Everyone can live an inspired life.  One resource to help you is the book "The Passion Test".  I offer one-on-one coaching to help leaders get clear on their passion and lead from inspiration.  Contact me to setup a free 15 minute coaching session to see if coaching is right for you.

Innovation and Teamwork -- an Audio Interview with innovation expert, author and speaker Thomas Koulopoulos

Innovation is inherently dangerous.

Innovation is always the enemy.

Innovation is an outsider.

Innovators are lone wolves.

Innovation is the same thing as inventing.

These are just some of the misconceptions about innovation that Tom Koulopoulos says run rampant in our society and are likely holding you and  your team back.

Tom is president and founder of The Delphi Group, Executive Director of the Babson College Center for Business Innovation, Managing Director of one the worlds leading Innovation Labs, one of the industry's six most influential consultants according to InformationWeek, author of seven books, lecturer at the Boston College Graduate school of management, and frequent contributor to national and international print and broadcast media.

Tom Koulopoulos is an EXPERT when it comes to innovation.

In this audio interview Tom will addresses these questions:

What is innovation?

How do you innovate on a team?

What organizations are most innovative and why?

How can we teach and foster innovation on our team?

What are the ramifications for teams / organizations that fail to become innovators?

CLICK HERE to download the audio recording (mp3 file) of this interview.

Teambuilding Game: Four Corner Traverse

The Four Corner Traverse teamwork activity requires an amazing amount of collaboration between the four small teams.  If you need a group to practice sharing resources, communicating and making a plan then this activity fits the bill!

This activity is easy to setup and lead and uses props that are easily found.

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

Spiritual Movie Will Help Us Connect And Advance World Peace - - Mark your calendars now for April 6, 2008 peace vigil

I've been teaching teambuilding since 1986 and if there is one clear truth I've seen demonstrated over and over again it's this...

We are amazing creative beings and when we come together (work together as one) our power is magnified ten fold.

TeachMeTeamwork.com member Niek van Duivenbooden in the Netherlands points us to an amazing and delightful movie event to be held in venues around the world on the weekend of April 5-6, 2008.

Here's what the movie website says:

For the first time a major spiritual film release is being combined with a worldwide prayer vigil focused on shifting the planetary consciousness.

Join millions of people from every corner of the globe in learning the most powerful manifestation tool in the history of the world. Then on one momentous day we'll use the code to promote peace and compassion for all beings through over 1000 gatherings worldwide.

This is the chance for humanity to use the Law of Attraction to create peace on the deepest level.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Teambuilding Game: Circular Walk -- a Team Timbers game

The Team Timbers are a multi-use teambuilding games system.  The four boards have special brackets on the end which allow them to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected in many shapes (box, zig zag, giant V, triangle, Diamond, etc.).

In this challenge the group must travel around the box shape without anyone touching the ground.  It's harder than it looks.

The level of difficulty can be quickly and easily changed to meet the needs of the group.  For example, if you supply three boards to form a triangle the challenge is much easier.  However, supply the team with five boards (forming a pentagon) and the challenge is much more difficult.

Learn more about the Team Timbers portable teambuilding games system CLICK HERE

Some of the teambuilding games you can lead include:

• Circular Switch
• Opposite Sides Switch
• Lost Gold
• Pairs Traverse
• Team Circular Walk
• Zig Zag Lineup
• Zig Zag Traverse
• Zig Zag Traverse with Gap
• Star Switch
• Star Gold
• Star Clock
• Trust V
• Trust Diamond
• Two Pair Pass
• Two Pair Trade Partners

You can purchase a complete set of Team Timbers or just the metal bracket set and supply your own wood.  CLICK HERE for details.

>> Master List of Teambuilding Games HERE

>> Leadership Development Program HERE 

Teambuilding Game: Four Clients (Customers)

The Four Clients teamwork activity requires the group to distribute products and services (golf balls) to four different cans (clients or customers).  If a ball should touch the ground then it is considered a loss (expense).  Each can has a different type of opening and the group quickly discovers that one of the cans is very easy to deliver golf balls to and one is very difficult.

By identifying (labeling) the four cans in advance, the group will react very differently to the game.  For example, when leading this activity with a group of teachers you might label the cans as "Student A", "Student B", "Student C" and "Student D".  Then ask the teachers at the end about the students.  Do you have students like these?  Did the students receive equal treatment? (they never do)

This teamwork exercise is very collaborative and reveals a great deal about how the group makes decisions.

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