One of the challenges for many trainers or educators who want to begin using an experiential approach to teaching team skills is dealing with the unknown.

You may be new to teaching experientially and leading a team building game may be foreign to you.  My degree is in education and most teaching is very controlled and predictable.  When you teach through activities you must face the unpredictable.  How will the group react?  Will you remember the directions?  Did you prepare all of the props the group will need?  Will your boss or peers approve?  Will it (the teaching methodology) really work? 

Which to do?  Experiment (and risk) or play it safe?

A couple of years ago I was playing in a lacrosse game (I play on a club team) and I received a lesson that has served me to this day and I think it speaks to this question. 

We were winning the game by one point.  Our team had the ball in the offensive side of the field (I play defense) and there were 3 minutes left in the game.  I called a timeout from the field because I wanted to convince the guys playing offense to just hold the ball and let the clock run out rather than going for another shot on goal and that's when I received the lesson. 

One of the guys looked at me and said, "Tom, you're playing not to lose and we are playing to win AND playing to win is much more fun!"  He was right.  It was a huge realization for me.  Where else was I "playing not to lose" in my life? 

When I think back to the teachers (trainers, facilitators, coaches, etc.) who've had the greatest impact on my life I conclude that everyone one of them was "playing to win".  They took risks.  They extended themselves.  They led by example.  And they asked me to do the same.

You may not know how to incorporate experiential training into your training event (or lesson) AND that just means you have a huge opportunity to extend yourself and "go for it".  Be honest with your group.  Tell them "Hey, I just learned this activity and I want to test it out.  Would you be willing to give it a shot and then give me your feedback?  I think it might hold great possibility for us."

Yes, you will make mistakes if you play to win.  In fact, you'll probably make some huge mistakes.  And yet, playing to win is where you change lives.

Playing to win is scary.  And it will put a smile on your face.