Unique Suggestions For Team Building Activities

Summary

In this video, Chad presents unconventional, effective team-building activities that work in various contexts—remote or in-person. He introduces 'past, present, and future' exercises, where participants use photos and reflective questions to build deeper connections. Chad also discusses using intentional reminders and questions as tools to foster teamwork, and suggests creating user manuals for better understanding within teams. He emphasizes sustainable, meaningful interactions over forced bonding. Chad invites viewers to attend the Connector Summit for personalized team-building solutions and offers more insights on how to manage up effectively.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Team building activities should feel natural and foster genuine connections, not forced bonding.
• 📸 Use the 'Past, Present, Future' method for team building: reflect on the past using photos, discuss the present, and plan for the future.
• 👥 Group activities work best in groups of three, providing more perspectives without the pressure of public speaking.
• 💭 A great present-focused question is 'What's been taking up lots of your brain space lately?' to connect teams through meaningful conversations.
• 📅 Future-focused questions like 'What is something you'd like to do more of?' help team members express aspirations and shape future interactions.
• 🔄 Conversations and powerful questions can materially change a team's direction by enabling meaningful reflections on individual goals and challenges.
• ⏲️ The 'Reminders Conversion' exercise can help teams sustain their values by setting shared calendar reminders based on team discussions.
• 📆 Simple, recurring reminders for team values, like checking in on each other, help maintain team connections during busy periods.
• 👨‍🏫 Personal stories and context (e.g., a team member's loss) can highlight the importance of empathy and understanding in team dynamics.
• 🌐 The Connector Summit is a live, virtual event where specific team building challenges can be addressed, offering personalized solutions for participants.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide unconventional, unique, and universally applicable team-building exercises that can be used in various contexts, including remote and in-person settings.

What is the first team-building exercise mentioned in the video?

The first team-building exercise is based on the 'past, present, and future' framework. Participants use their phone's photo app to reflect on a past moment, discuss what is currently taking up their brain space, and talk about something they'd like to do more of in the future.

How does the 'past, present, and future' exercise help teams connect?

This exercise helps teams connect by encouraging participants to share personal stories, challenges, and aspirations in small groups. It creates meaningful conversations that build trust and understanding among team members.

Why are groups of three recommended for team-building exercises?

Groups of three are recommended because they provide a balance between vulnerability and openness. They allow multiple perspectives while avoiding the pressure of public speaking, which occurs in larger groups.

What is a powerful question to access the present in team-building?

A powerful question to access the present is: 'What has been taking up lots of your brain space lately?' This question invites participants to share what’s on their minds, fostering understanding and empathy within the team.

How did the CEO in the video change their mind about firing their right-hand person?

The CEO realized that the person's recent poor performance was due to the loss of their mother, which had been taking up a lot of their brain space. After learning about this personal challenge, the CEO gained a deeper appreciation for the person and decided not to fire them.

What is the purpose of the 'future' part of the exercise?

The 'future' part of the exercise allows team members to discuss something they’d like to do more of. It helps teams talk their way into future plans and build shared goals, which strengthens team cohesion.

What is the 'reminders conversion' exercise?

The 'reminders conversion' exercise involves teams discussing what makes a great team and converting those values into shared calendar reminders. These reminders serve as prompts to stay intentional about team-building practices over time.

What is the Connector Summit mentioned in the video?

The Connector Summit is an annual virtual gathering hosted by the speaker. It allows participants to engage in deeper, more specific team-building discussions tailored to their challenges and contexts.

Why does the speaker recommend creating a 'user manual' for team members?

The speaker recommends creating a 'user manual' for team members because humans are complex and don’t come with instructions. A user manual can help team members understand how to best interact with one another, preventing misunderstandings and improving teamwork.