International Association of Teamwork Facilitators

Gen-Y sings "We're all in this together!"

My 9 year old son Joseph introduced me to Disney's upbeat movie "High School Musical".

Below is a video clip of a hit song from the movie.  It's entitled "We're All In This Together".  It's a fantastic song that totally communicates the world view of Gen-Y.

Some of the lyrics:

Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on lets have some fun
Together, were there for each other every time
Together together come on lets do this right

Here and now its time for celebration
I finally figured it out (yeah yeah)
That all our dreams have no limitations
That's what its all about

Everyone is special in their own way
We make each other strong (each other strong)
Were not the same
Were different in a good way
Together's where we belong

We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true

If you're a manager and you supervise Gen-Y employees (team members) you're going to have to learn new skills to lead this generation.  A "traditional" command and control style of leadership is a total turn-off to this generation.

The way to effectively manage Gen-Y is to learn coaching skills.  You must become a "Coach Leader" and  you can learn how in the IATF Leader As Coach Fast Track Program. 

Teambuilding Game: Reach As High As You Can

Here's a quick, simple and no prop teamwork exercise that helps you teach a foundational principle of "possibility thinking" or "tapping into our individual or team potential".

Have the group (or individual) stand up and ask them to do the following:

"Reach as high as you can."

As the facilitator, you should demonstrate as the group does this by reaching toward the ceiling.

Then ask the participants to relax and remain standing.

Once everyone is relaxed and standing, make the following statement:

"Now, I want you to do that again, only this time reach even higher!"

Amazingly, everyone will reach even higher.

Why did they reach higher the second time?  Where did the extra effort come from?  The answer is simple - - you (their coach) ASKED them to stretch, to go further.

The lesson?  We are all capable of way more then we are currently exhibiting.

We're more likely to "stretch" or go for it when we work with a coach who asks more from us.

View the video clip below of my (then) 8 year old son Joseph.  He doesn't know that I'm going to ask him to "Reach even higher".  Watch his reaction when he reaches higher the second time - - he has a big smile.  Why is that?  Because reaching higher (going for it) is fun.

Would you like to learn how to help your team "reach even higher"?  Check out the IATF Leader As Coach Fast Track Program. 

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

Join the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators and receive immediate access to the growing online archive of teambuilding games.  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

The Penguins from Madagascar are an awesome team!

Did you watch the animated movie "Madagascar"?  The movie focuses on 5 animals (lion, hippo, giraffe, zebra) in a city zoo who end up getting sent to Madagascar due to bad behavior. 

The highlight of the movie for me was the team of 4 penguins.  What an awesome team they are!

Turns out the penguins were so popular a special short movie was made featuring them.  You can see this movie below. You'll see some wonderful examples of leadership and teamwork (and it's funny).

The penguin creedo:  "Never swim alone"

Want to see more of these penguins?  Click HERE

>> Everything you need to build a high-performing team. CLICK HERE