Accomplishing Tasks AND Developing Relationships
As a busy leader we understand how hard it can be to find the time to develop your team. This is why each month we provide you with two team-building ideas that are easy to deliver and proven to be effective. Enjoy!
Team-Building Activity
Accomplishing Tasks AND Developing Relationships (approximately 30 minutes)
When your team can find #HealthyTension between Accomplishing Tasks AND Developing Relationships, you will develop a winning culture that gets along and gets stuff done! Here is a worksheet that will allow you to see this tension more clearly:
Step 1 – Download and print out the Task & Relationship Handout and give a copy to each team member (click here for the file). Refer to the top graphic and read through all four of the quadrants for clarity.
Step 2 – To explore the bottom graphic, divide the team into smaller groups of 4 people and give each group 10 minutes to do the following:
- Choose which of the 4 quadrants they feel the team is currently in.
- Generate 2 to 3 actions the team could take in the next month to move them further into Quadrant #2 (Getting Along & Getting Stuff Done).
Step 3 – Have each small group report back their answers to the team, and flipchart all of the actions. Have the team discuss what 1 to 3 actions from the list they will commit to trying in the month ahead.
Icebreaker
Take a Stand (approximately 5 minutes)
Carving out a few minutes to start your next team meeting with some fun will set a positive and safe tone for the rest of the meeting. This will result in more participation and stronger relationships. “Take a Stand” is an easy and fun way to make that happen.
Step 1 – Tell the team that you are going to read a number of scenarios to them. If the scenario is something they have done, they need to stand up. If it is something they’ve never done, they can stay seated. If someone is standing, ask them to stay standing until you read a scenario they’ve never done.
Step 2 – Scenarios (use any from below and feel free to add your own):
- I have sung karaoke
- I have been to Paris
- I have been late for work
- I have been to a concert in the last month
- I would go bungee jumping right now if I could
- I was born outside of Canada
- I like to cook
- I was a star athlete in high school (ask those standing to name their sport)
- I have (or have had) a dog named Spot, Lucky or Shadow
- I have milked a cow
- I have a twin
- I like spicy food
- I am a careful and cautious driver
- I cry during sad movies or emotional TV commercials
- I have an organized and orderly workspace
- I have been on television or radio
- I once hosted a party at my parents’ house when they were on vacation
- I like at least one other person in this room
Step 3 – After reading all the scenarios you can ask everyone to sit down. End the icebreaker with some inspiring and encouraging words around how the activity demonstrated how diverse the team was. Explain that by tapping into each person’s unique strengths and experiences the team will thrive. Wrap up by saying that you know that the one thing everyone has in common is that they are all a committed and talented group of professionals, and that you are proud to be working with them.
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Tim Arnold is passionate about helping people understand the chronic issues that limit leadership and teamwork, so they can thrive. He is the author of The Power of Healthy Tension and speaks to organizations around the globe on how they can overcome chronic issues and conflicting values.
