Monday, January 23, 2012

What are some cool "team building" games my Leadership class can try?

We're all seniors and juniors (Except one girl) and every now and then we play a cool "team building" game. For example the 12 of us had to figure out how to fit ourselves on a piece of construction paper on the floor. (It was really hard because we couldn't carry people.) Another game was we had to hold hands (While blindfolded) and try to make the shape the teacher called out. Trick was we had to shut up and listen to each other. (Which is hard for us lol)



What are some cool games like that?What are some cool "team building" games my Leadership class can try?
Here are a few that should be pretty fun for a leadership class.



1. Communication: Give each member of the group a sheet of paper. Make certain everyone has the same size sheet. Explain that they are to follow instructions precisely, and that they are not allowed to ask questions. AND, they are to follow the instructions with their eyes closed. State the instructions:

1. Fold the paper in half.

2. Rip off a corner.

3. Fold in half again.

4. Rip off a corner.

5. Fold again.

6. Rip off a corner.



Have them open their eyes and compare their “design” with others. You can adapt this to a mixing activity by having everyone mingle looking for designs that are very close to their own.



Point: One-way communication is never as effective as two-way; it gives different results.





2. Communication/Feedback: Here you draw a picture of a stick man. Keep it hidden from your audience until later. Make certain everyone has something to write on. Explain you are going to have them draw something by following your verbal directions. They cannot ask questions. Instruct them as follows:



1. Draw a small circle near the top of the page.

2. Now draw a vertical line from the circle to the middle of the page.

3. Now draw to lines from the circle angled down toward the middle of the page.

4. Now draw two lines separating from the single vertical line each of which angles down toward the bottom of the page.

5. At the end of the angled lines stemming from the circle, draw five small lines.

6. At the end of the angled lines stemming from the vertical line, draw an oval at the base of each line.



Now show the picture you constructed and ask them to compare. Naturally, participants will make the point that had they had the opportunity to ask questions, or had they been provided more information, such as a diagram, they would have done better. ALTERNATIVE: Have someone from the group describe your drawing. The drawing can be just a series of shapes.



Point: Using more than one means of communicating is better than a simple one-way method.





3. Motivator: Select a wise saying that relates to the theme of your program. For example, if you are talking about the importance of goals and objectives, you might use: “He who aims at nothing is bound to hit.” Now write each word on a separate piece of paper. Wad each piece of paper into a ball. At the session, throw the balls into the crowd and have them tossed about for a few seconds. At an appropriate moment, ask the persons with a ball to hold it and come forward. When everyone with a wadded ball comes to the front of the room, have them open the paper and then organize themselves into a sentence. When they are done, they face the group and hold the papers up so all can read.



Point: Sometimes it takes a bit of work to find a simple truth.



4. Take Care: Read the following quiz to your group. Tell them they don’t have to answer, just ponder.

1. Who are the five wealthiest people in the world?

2. Name five winners of the Academy Award.

3. Who are the five most powerful individuals in the world?

4. Name last five winners of the Super Bowl.

5. Name the five richest musicians.



Now, read the next set of questions to them:



1. Name five teachers who have influenced you in a positive way.

2. Name five friends who have helped you in some way.

3. Name five people you care about.

4. Name five people who have brought you joy or make you feel cared for.

5. Name five heroes that have inspired you.



Point: The lesson is obvious: on a personal level, fame, wealth, and achievement pale in comparison to care and compassion.



Good luck!

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