This is a live 75 minute interactive workshop I led using Google Hangouts. I was in my home office in Asheville, North Carolina and the 30 participants were in Oswego, New York.

The workshop title: "How To Teach Leadership in the Engineering Classroom"

The audience was made up of middle school and high school technology and engineering teachers. 

Prior to leading the live event I met with Dr. Mark Springston and his three person team (graduate students) from SUNY Oswego. I taught the team how to use Google Hangouts. I sent a box of "props"  in advance  to Dr. Springston which you'll see participants use in the workshop. Dr. Springston's graduate students helped distribute the props during the session at planned times in the workshop.

I initiated the video sessioin so I could control the roving cameras (iPads) on my end. Dr. Springston logged in using his Google account and that put me on the big screen in front of the classroom. The 3 graduate students each logged in using their iPad and they roamed the room with those iPads which allowed  me to switch between iPads to offer a different view. 

The university had never used Google Hangouts in this manner and none of the workshop participants had ever participated in a live hands-on workshop led using this technology. This workshop received very high ratings from the participants. 

This was the 74th conference held yearly at the State University of New York in Oswego.  http://www.fallconference.com

Archive of the conference:  http://fallconferencesupport.com/program2013/#.U3n_fVyDz_Y

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Here is an amazing example of teamwork in action.

This video was shot in Tarragona, Spain.  Teams gather every two years to see who can build the highest most intricate human castles. 

Notice how there are men, women and children all working together for a common goal. 

How high is your team willing to reach?

What risks are involved in your team's journey?

What is the level of commitment among team members?

Casteller from Mike Randolph on Vimeo.

The video clip below shows a team competing in "The Amazing Race" (a TV program).

Pay close attention to the coaching.

Coach:  "Don't give up on me now.  Just focus."

Launcher:  "I'm not giving up.  I'm just frustrated."

Coach:  "You got this sister.  You are super, super close.  Right in the kisser.  Show that knight who's boss."

Watermelon Launcher gets hit in the face with a watermelon!

Coach:  "Are you okay?"

Launcher:  "I can't feel my face. I have the worst headache ever."

Coach:  "I don't doubt it."

Launcher:  "So what do we do now?"

Coach:  "You have to finish."

Launcher:  "What?!"

Coach:  "There's no out."

Launcher:  "I can't even see straight."

Coach: "They don't call this the Amazing Race for nothing."

The coaching provided in this video clip is an example of what I refer to as a "Traditional Leadership Style." This style of leadership places relationships second (or third) and "winning" in the number one spot. 

Just imagine this coach leading a team at the office.  What do you think her staff turnover would be?  How deep would her "trust account" be? (thank you Stephen M.R. Covey) 

This style of leadership might have worked during the industrial age but it definitely won't work in the Inspiration Age - - an age where our prosperity (economic, organizational, personal, etc.) is determined by our ability to inspire ourselves, our team, our organizations, our communities, our world. 

Learn how to lead using a powerful leadership operating system based on love and abundance HERE.

The Challenge:  Build the tallest free standing structure (with a marshmallow at the top) using the supplied materials.

Setup:  Create teams of 4 and each team works at their own table.

Supply each team with the following:  20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of masking tape, one yard of string, one marshmallow

Here's a classic teambuilding game called the "Spider's Web" that requires a team to start on one side of the web and travel through the holes to finish on the other side of the web.

This teambuilding game requires a high degree of trust and teamwork (and good planning).

Click on the link below to download a 7 page handout containing complete lead-it-yourself directions.

Download Duct_tape_teambuilding_games_sample_game_2

How important is timing and coordination of efforts on your team?  Here's a simple no-prop game that can help a team practice and refine these skills.

This teambuilding game called "Ground Slap" and can be played sitting around a table or (preferably) kneeling on the ground in a circle.

The setup is important - - with team members on hands and knees, ask everyone to place their right hand in between the hands of the person to his/her right.  The end result will weave everyone's hands together.

Here's the challenge:  The leader starts by slapping his/her right hand on the ground which starts a domino effect meaning, the hand immediately to the right must slap the ground and then the hand immediate to that hand must slap the ground, and so on. If someone slaps the ground twice in a row then the direction of the ground slapping domino effect reverses (watch the video and you'll see this happen).

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

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.

This teambuilding game - called "Interference" - helps a group explore effective communication and planning.

This game works best with a minimum of 15 people.  Create three equal size groups and position them in the playing area.

"Group A" will be the message senders.  "Group B" will be the message interferers.  "Group C" will be the message receivers.  You'll lead three rounds so everyone gets to play each of the three roles.

This is a powerful game and can help a team reveal important truths about communication.

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

This particular teambuilding game is found in the new book "Duct Tape Teambuilding Games - 50 fun activities to help your team stick together".  CLICK HERE to download complete directions for one of the games.

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

The Magic Carpet teambuilding activity is easy to lead and requires simple and easy to obtain props.

Create groups of 6 to 10 people and provide each team with a "Magic Carpet" (a tarp measuring 5 feet x 5 feet). 

The team stands on top of their tarp and is then asked to "flip" the tarp over without anyone touching the ground.

This is a teambuilding game  you can lead with small groups or large groups (500+ people).  If the groups collaborate this teambuilding game becomes much easier.  You'll see an example of collaboration in the video clip below.

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.

The Trust Fall teamwork exercise is a "classic" teamwork game because it's so effective at helping an individual and a team explore both how it feels to trust and be trusted.  The experience creates an opening for the team and the teamwork facilitator to have a real and meaningful discussion about how to create a high trust environment.

This is an advanced activity and should only be led by extremely competent people.

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

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

The A-Frame teamwork game is one of those activities that looks dangerous, especially if you put a rider on the A-Frame.  What I like most about this exercise is the give and take required to make the A-Frame "walk".  If everyone pulls their rope at the same time then the A-Frame can't move.

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

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Duct Tape is one of my favorite all purpose tools.  You can fix nearly anything with it AND you can lead lots of fun teambuilding games with it!

Here's a teambuilding game called "Trolleys" that is normally done using two long wooden boards.  The team stands on the boards and then each team member holds onto a rope attached to the board.  Wooden Trolley's are fun to use but they are inconvenient to transport due to size and weight.

CLICK HERE to learn all about our book "Duct Tape Teambuilding Games - 50 Fun Activities to Help Your Team Stick Together"

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?

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

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.

>> Lead consciously.  Learn how HERE.

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.

SAMPLE Teambuilding Game Write-Up

The Bandanna, Cup, Marble teambuilding game requires a group of 4 to 8 people to transport a marble sitting atop a cup (upside down) from point A to point B.

IATF members receive instant access to our growing online archive of teambuilding games.  Learn more about all the IATF member benefits HERE. 

Directions for leading this teambuilding game

• Group Size: 4 to 10 people per bandana
• Age Range: Elementary – adult
• Intensity:  Mental=1, Physical=1
• Time: 5 – 15  minutes
• Space: Minimal – Medium – Lots
• Set Up Time: 60 seconds
• Props: For each team of 6-10 people: One plastic cup, one bandana, one marble

Objective

Transport a marble balanced on a cup from one point to another.

Set Up / Preparation

Create groups of about 8 people and supply each group with one bandana, one marble and one plastic cup (the plastic cup should have some kind of lip on the bottom of it).  The group surrounds the bandana and holds on to it with both hands along the edges creating a tabletop effective.  The cup is now placed up side down on the bandana then the marble is placed on top of / balanced on the cup.  The group is now asked to transport the bandana-cup-marble from one point to another.

Rules

1. If the marble falls off the group must start again.
2. Everyone must hold on to the edge of the bandana with both hands.
3. The bandana must be kept tight and flat.
4. The supplied equipment (props) may not be altered.
5. No other supplies may be used.

Comments

This is a great activity to do with a small group (6 people) or with large groups (200+ people).  It is versatile, inexpensive and easily transported.

Debriefing

I once led this activity at a retreat for a group of school system volunteers (adults).  There were about 30 people so I had them form into 3 groups in one of the meeting rooms.  After everyone was set to go with the activity, I asked them to place their bandana-cup-marble assembly on a small table in an adjacent room SIMULTANEOUSLY.  There was only one doorway and to the other room so the teams were forced to wait on each other.  The table was small which forced the groups to communicate and create a plan.  I had everyone circle up in their small groups and answer the following questions:  What metaphorically is the bandana, cup, marble, and table relative to your job in this organization?  I gave the groups 15 minutes to create a presentation, which they would be giving to the other groups.  The group loved the activity and loved the discussion as well as the presentations from the other small groups.

Variations

1. Place obstacles in the path of the group such as a tables or chairs.  Consider having the group go up a flight of stairs.
2. Use a taller cup and a larger, denser ball (like a baseball) to make this lots harder.
3. Fill a cup of water and balance it on the bandana.  If you want to get folks really wet, have them transport the cup by holding the bandana above their heads.

History

I learned this activity from Sam Sikes, author of “Executive Marbles” and “Feeding the Zircon Gorilla”.

Games Archive

IATF Members receive immediate access to our growing online archive of teambuilding games.  CLICK HERE to learn about all the member benefits!

Have you ever played with a wooden table top labyrinth?  You have two dials that cause the surface to tilt in any diretion - - this to make a marble move through the labyrinth without falling through a hole. 

The Team Labyrinth is like the table top game only better because it requires a team to play. 

The Team Labyrinth is made of fabric that accepts the "hook" side of Velcro.  The team starts by building the labyrinth - - the walls are made of foam and have "hook" velcro on the bottom so they stick to the fabric.  The "hole's" are made from "hook" Velcro (both sides) and will grab/stop the tennis ball size ball.

Build a labyrinth and take it apart.  Make it hard or make it easy.  I used to build the labyrinth for the team but realized people have as much fun building it as making the ball go through.

I use this activity to get a group looking at the obstacles to success and the strategies to succeed inspite of the obstacles.

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

CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Buy This Game
You can make this game using the instructions found in the IATF Members Only Area (instant access) OR you can purchase the IATF Teambuilding Games Training CDs where you'll find make-it-yourself instructions OR you can purchase this game from Sportime / School Specialty online HERE or you can contact Sportime directly using the info below:

Sportime
Phone 800-388-3224
Catalog Item Number: 021766
Cost $94.99  US