Teambuilding

INTRODUCTION
This seminar/workshop is appropriate for homogenous groups as well as for groups which have
a high grade of diversity ( e.g. multicultural, age and/or gendermixed)

It can be used to integrate new team members, as conflict management or simply to strengthen
the teamspirit through the participants having fun together and learning to know each other
better.

It is based on collective research in which participants explore the best way to be together to
achieve their goals.They become aware of the resources which each individual can contribute
and learn to build a team resourcefulness in an atmosphere in which participants feel safe and
inspired.

The topics are, for the most part, worked through with experiential exercises where the use of
humour enhances flexibility, creativity and an optimistic attitude. The variety of methods which
are used include spontaneous theatre and role-play in which the trainer has been a specialist for
many years.

Ideally the workshop would last two days, but it is possible to shorten this if necessary.

THE FIRST DAY

We examine the group or team as a system. We explore which dynamics influence the
communication between the members and the relationships each individual has to other members
and to the group as a whole.

Topics:

Conscious and unconscious perceptions and our reactions to these

Non-verbal communication ( Body Language and Voice) and their effect on

communication processes.

How our past experiences affect our present emotions and strategies in regard to how we
see others and how we relate to them

What patterns lead to cooperative and which lead to non-cooperative behaviour; The
distribution of roles; ( official, informal and unconscious)Status, statusgames and
status-struggles

SECOND DAY
GROUPWORK/TEAM ACTIVITIES

In the second part of the workshop groups are formed and each group is required to work on and
solve a particular task ( or tasks)

These could include having to reach a consensus about a controversial topic and /or practical
challenges which demand creative solutions.
The work in groups forms a basis for feedback and reflection

Topics:

The meaning of Diversity for team performance

Investigating the individual personalities within the group or team ( possibly with the use
of a questionnaire) and how each member contributes to the success of the team.
Exploring ways in which teams come to decisions which are acceptable to all members

Investigating the team culture and also the cultural and social values of the individual
members, whereby culture here refers to all the learned social norms and ways of
behaviour

Tolerance of ambiguity as a condition for successful teamwork

Empathy as a motivating power