Force Team

Our Top Ten Team Building Exercises

You’ve recruited the individual members of your team. You’ve established your goal. You’ve developed a plan and a timeline. Now the trick is to get all those unique individuals working together toward the same goal. Given the varied personalities, communication skills and personal agendas individual members bring with them to the team, getting your team to work cooperatively can be a challenge.

In the most productive teams, members are individually and cooperatively focused on reaching the team’s goal. Members understand the interdependent nature of the team: that their individual work depends upon and affects the quality of others’ work and, ultimately, the ability of the team to reach its goal. Members respect, appreciate and recognize each person’s unique contribution to the team’s efforts, but place the greatest emphasis on cooperative achievement of the team goal.

Experiential team building was all the rage not long ago. The team would travel offsite for a “fun” day of rope games and unusual problem solving, typically at an outdoor education center. Unfortunately, too often there was little follow-up and any lessons learned never made it back into the workplace. Today, the emphasis has shifted to in-house team building exercises that can be accomplished at the beginning of a meeting.

Follow these key steps to plan a productive team building exercise:

1. Keep it simple. It should be quick and easy to set up in a typical meeting room.

2. It doesn’t need to be expensive. You can get a lot of mileage out of basic office supplies or a few items from your kitchen pantry.

3. The exercise should be geared for normal office clothing or team members should be told ahead of time to dress appropriately.

4. People have a hard time relating to large groups, so divide the team into small units of 2 to 4 or 6 people. By breaking down barriers and creating partnerships within these small groups, team members will be better able to relate to the larger team.

5. Instructions must be easy to understand, especially by any non-native English speakers in your group.

6. Limited instructions may be part of the team building exercise. Forcing people to figure out what to do or how to do something helps team members identify skills and abilities in themselves and their peers that can help them define their roles on the team: leader, facilitator, problem-solver, communicator, etc.

7. The exercise should engage all members quickly.

8. It should present a problem that has multiple solutions to allow for creativity, but that can only be solved through collaboration and cooperative action.

9. You can increase the difficulty level of any exercise by adding a complication such as “no talking,” or by speeding things up by asking, “How can you do it faster?”

10. At the completion of the exercise, it is crucial that a facilitator, often the team leader, lead the team in reflecting on what happened, the choices made, and how they interacted with each other. Team members should discuss what they would do differently next time. Reflection is critical to identifying and reinforcing learning.

Try these team building exercises to get your team off on the right foot.

1. Scrambled Jigsaw. Before the team arrives, place a jigsaw on each table. To manage the time element, use large-piece children’s puzzles of 100 pieces or so. Remove 5 pieces from each puzzle and move them to another table. As the team arrives, divide members among the tables. Instruct teams to fully complete their puzzle, by any means, in the shortest amount of time possible. As puzzles are completed and teams realize pieces are missing, they will be forced to negotiate with other teams to complete their puzzle. This exercise promotes flexibility, communication, negotiation and cooperation.

2. Creative Assembly. Purchase 3-D punch-out wood dinosaur puzzle kits. Divide the team into groups of 2 to 4. Without comment or instruction, give each group the unpunched puzzle pieces, one complete puzzle per group. Do not let the group see the boxes, pictures or instructions or in any way identify what you have given them. Instruct each group to assemble its project, telling them they can only use what is in front of them. You’ll get some interesting and creative constructions, a lot of laughter and some good natured frustration, particularly with the winged dinosaur kits. When time is up, ask each group to describe its construct. In this exercise, creative thinking, brainstorming, problem-solving, cooperation and consensus will certainly get a workout.

3. Slight of Hand. Divide team into groups of 4 to 6. Hand each group 4 tennis balls. Tell them each person must handle all 4 balls in the shortest time possible. Do this several times, each time asking, “How can you do it faster?” This exercise will progress from the obvious passing of the balls down a line, to around a circle, to some interesting ball drops and hand swiping. Your team will practice cooperation, quick thinking and creative problem solving in this exercise.

4. Going Up. Divide team into groups of 2 to 6. Give each person one 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of paper and one 5” strip of masking tape. Instruct each team to build the tallest possible free-standing structure. This exercise promotes cooperation, creative thinking, problem-solving, consensus, leadership and division of labor.

5. Gnome Dome. Divide the team into groups of 2. Give each group 20 gumdrops and 12 toothpicks. Instruct each group to build a dome. Problem-solving, creative thinking, cooperation (and possibly snacking) will be practiced during this exercise.

6. Poisonous Web. Stretch a piece of rope across a door frame, securing it to the frame or connecting wall with duct tape. You’ll need two pieces of rope, one 3 feet off the ground, the other 4 1/2 feet off the ground. You are creating a “window” 18 inches wide that you describe to the team as a “poisonous spider web.” The team must work together to get all members through the opening without touching the ropes. They must go through, not under or over the ropes. If a team member touches either rope, the entire team must go back to the beginning and try again. This exercise builds cooperation, leadership, creativity and problem-solving. It also forces team members to trust and depend on each other.

7. Hang Ups. Hand each person a wire coat hanger. Tell the group they may work individually or create their own groups. Instruct them to make something useful from their coat hanger. Set a time limit of 5 to 15 minutes. Ask each person/group to describe his “tool” and its use. This exercise will indicate which of your team members are natural leaders or born socialites as well as which are more shy and may need to be drawn out when working with the group.

8. In the Picture. This is another puzzle game. Divide the team into groups and give each one a jigsaw puzzle from which you have already removed one piece. Each team will complete a puzzle with one missing piece. Ask each team what this represents in terms of the team. You’re aiming for discovery of the importance of each individual to the successful accomplishment of the team’s goal, but you may get some interesting responses about proper planning, supply officers and quality control.

9. All Aboard. This is another physical game. Depending on the size of your team, place a 1-foot to 3-foot square of cardboard on the floor, or mark off a square with masking or duct tape. Draw numbers, one for each team member. In order of the numbers drawn, team members must stand in the square. As the number of people in the square increases, members will have to work together and get creative to get everyone aboard. This exercise practices cooperation, problem-solving and leadership.

10. Bridge the Gap. Divide the group into teams of 2 to 4. Give each group a small ball of modeling clay and 12 toothpicks. Instruct them to build the longest cantilever bridge they can. Award points for speed of construction, length of bridge, ability to stand without tipping over and ability to hold weight (to measure this, stack quarters until the bridge tips or breaks). Team members will practice creativity, problem-solving, consensus (and manual dexterity).

To be successful, teamwork must be more than a method of dividing up the work to get the job done. Teamwork must embrace a cooperative attitude of mutual respect, shared responsibility and open communication. Teamwork recognizes each team member’s individual contribution to the team in the context of the interdependency of those efforts in cooperative pursuit of the team’s goal.

About the Author

Amy Linley gives practical and usable advice regarding communication and meetings at AccuConference - http://www.accuconference.com.

Find out more about our conference call, web conferencing and video conferencing services from AccuConference - http://www.accuconference.com/conferencecalls.

Aqua Team Hunger Force $4.99 Aqua Team Hunger Force

Rip-It 2012 Force -10 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $269.99 The legendary Force by Michele Smith gives the elite player the edge they need while playing competitive softball. Hitters will find the power balanced design provides a fast, smooth swing. -day warranty. -day refund policy. Length Weight AlloyCompositeFastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Adidas Team Force $6.99 Adidas Team Force by Adidas for Men - 3.4 oz EDT Spray (Tester)

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Right Knee) - Sports Medicine $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Right knee protection only.Sports Medicine - Sports Medicine

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Left Knee) - Sports Medicine $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Left knee protection only.Sports Medicine - Sports Medicine

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Left Knee) - Softball Braces $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Left knee protection only.Softball Braces - Softball Braces

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Right Knee) - Softball Braces $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Right knee protection only.Softball Braces - Softball Braces

Mattingly 2011 V-Force -12 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $69.99 Mattingly V-GRIP V-Force Fastpitch bat is made from MB alloy. The patented V shaped handle automatically lines up the knocking knuckles and keeps the bat in the finger tips, not in the palm, assuring a proper grip every time. Direct Power Transfer Stiff handle designed for explosive energy transfer. Locked-N-Loaded End Plug II maximizes trampoline effect. The results are turbo charged bat speed, power and undeniable feel. / barrel. ASA, USSSA, NSA Approved. Length Weight Alloy MB aluminum. Fastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Alleson Adult Force Warm-Up Jacket - Softball Jackets & Softball Outerwear $36.99 water repellent poly microfiber with moisture management mesh liner. Contrast insets and piping. Full zipper front with a fleece lined stand-up collar and hidden side pockets. Open bottom with adjustable elastic drawcord. Colors Black/White, Columbia Blue/White, Dark Green/White, Maroon/White, Navy/White, Purple/White, Royal/White, Scarlet/White, Kelly Green/White, Lt. Gold/White, Orange/White. Sizes XS - XL (unisex fit)Softball Jackets & Softball Outerwear - Softball Jackets & Softball Outerwear

Alleson Adult Force Warm-Up Jacket - Baseball Outerwear $36.99 water repellent poly microfiber with moisture management mesh liner. Contrast insets and piping. Full zipper front with a fleece lined stand-up collar and hidden side pockets. Open bottom with adjustable elastic drawcord. Colors Black/White, Columbia Blue/White, Dark Green/White, Maroon/White, Navy/White, Purple/White, Royal/White, Scarlet/White, Kelly Green/White, Lt. Gold/White, Orange/White. Sizes XS - XL (unisex fit)Baseball Outerwear - Baseball Outerwear

BIKE Youth Pure Force Football Shoulder Pad - Youth Shoulder Pads $49.99 Thick dual foam padding provides added shock displacement. Dual thickness in shoulder for impact protection. Moisture resistant coated lining. Extended body arch padding provides additional protection for sternum and ribs. Hook and loop strap provides secure fit and easy removal. Imported. Youth Size XS - XXL. Color Steel Grey only. Official Product Of Pop Warner Football. Youth Shoulder Pads - Youth Shoulder Pads

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Left Knee) - Baseball Sports Medicine Accessory $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Left knee protection only.Baseball Sports Medicine Accessory - Baseball Sports Medicine Accessory

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Right Knee) - Baseball Sports Medicine Accessory $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Right knee protection only.Baseball Sports Medicine Accessory - Baseball Sports Medicine Accessory

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Left Knee) - Softball Knee Protectors $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Left knee protection only.Softball Knee Protectors - Softball Knee Protectors

DonJoy Full Force Protective Knee Brace (Right Knee) - Softball Knee Protectors $549.99 Team Express is proud to add DonJoy products to our line of therapeutic and protective products. DonJoy is the largest non-surgical orthopedic rehabilitation device company in the United States. They offer a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation products addressing the complete spectrum of preventative, pre-operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitatiton care. FULLFORCE Brace Clinically proven Points of Leverage system pioneered by DonJoy. Clinically proven LoPro Fource Point hinges, the only bracing technology clinically proven to protect the ACL. Swooping thigh cuff for inner thigh clearance and bilateral brace use. Strong aircraft-grade aluminum frame. Anti-migration band anchors on the upper calf. Carbon coat finish. One-year warranty on frame and hinges. Adult Sizes S - XL. Right knee protection only.Softball Knee Protectors - Softball Knee Protectors

Mattingly 2012 V-Force -3 Adult Baseball Bat (BBCOR) - BBCOR Certified Adult Baseball Bats $149.99 / barrel. Patented V-Grip technology promotes proper hand alignment for increased bat speed. Features MB performance alloy. Designed with a stiff handle for explosive energy transfer. - Adult bat. / barrel. BBCOR certified. Available Sizes / oz., / oz., / oz., / oz.BBCOR Certified Adult Baseball Bats - BBCOR Certified Adult Baseball Bats

Rip-It 2012 Force Light -12 Fastpitch Softball Bat - Fastpitch Softball Bats $179.99 Raising performance and expectations. Provides younger players with a lightweight, balanced bat that allows for maximum bat speed. -day warranty. -day refund policy. ASA, USSSA, NSA, ISA, High School and NCAA approved. Length Weight AlloyCompositeFastpitch Softball Bats - Fastpitch Softball Bats

Adidas Team Force By Adidas $22 Winner of the prestigious fifi award in 2000, adidas team force was launched in 2000 by the design house of adidas. The top notes are juniper berry, grapefruit. Middle notes: jasmine, citrus and base notes: amber, tobacco, woody notes....

LYCSHT PMW TEAM AIR FORCE Black Small $84.99 LYCSHT PMW TEAM AIR FORCE Black Small.

LYCSHT PMW TEAM AIR FORCE Black Xlarge $84.99 LYCSHT PMW TEAM AIR FORCE Black Xlarge.

LYCSHT PMW TEAM AIR FORCE Black Xxlarge $84.99 LYCSHT PMW TEAM AIR FORCE Black Xxlarge.

Pacific X Force Team $55.9 -La Pacific – X Force Team est la raquette idéale pour votre enfant.-Par son poids et sa largeur la Pacific- X Force Team est faite pour des jeunes joueurs en compétition. -La technologie BasaltX réduit le poids et améliore en même temps le contrôle de la balle.-La technologie SpeedZone permet de...

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team $24.99 Stocktrek Images The U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team - Photographic Print

British Expeditionary Force Machine Gun Team $24.99 British Expeditionary Force Machine Gun Team - Photographic Print

John Force, Courtney Force, & Team Signed Helmet Visor $108.79 John Force, Courtney Force, & Team Signed Helmet Visor John Force, Courtney Force, & Team Signed Helmet Visor Every signed item comes fully certified with a tamper proof hologram certificate of authenticity and is backed by the SportsMemorabilia.com Authenticity Guarantee.

Frozen Ropes Homework Catching DVD - Baseball DVDs $19.99 Home Work! This Catching DVD by the Frozen Ropes Training Center Staff shares the secrets of catching skills. Topics include covering home, fielding bunts, force plays,throwing, tag plays, pitchouts, blocking, framing, pop-ups and drills. DVD approx min.Baseball DVDs - Baseball DVDs

Baden Axe Handle Maple Wood Baseball Bat - Baseball Express - Baseball Bats - Wood Baseball Bats $109.99 Revolutionary AXE knob eliminates negative force generated by the traditional round knob. Promotes Barrel Accuracy encouraging Palm Up, Palm Down hand positioning on contact. Promotes a better follow through and smoother release, reducing strain on the hands and wrist. Features FORCE Technology that aligns the proper grain with the hitting surface. Made of Pro Hard Maple - the finest Pro Hard Maple grown in Wisconsin. Approx. minus drop. Cupped end. Approved for use by the pros for the season. Available Sizes , , Baseball Express - Baseball Bats - Wood Baseball Bats - Baseball Express - Baseball Bats - Wood Baseball Bats

Schutt Adult Air Flex Elite Football Shoulder Pads - Adult Shoulder Pads $319.99 - Specifically designed for skill position players. - Brock Beaded Quilt technology reduces impact force. - Removable deltoid pads. To determine what shoulder pad really does the best job of protecting players from the force of tackles, the liner from the leading NFL shoulder pad was replaced with a Brock Beaded Quilt Liner. Subsequent laboratory testing showed a dramatic decrease in the force transmitted through the pad, when compared to the original liner. On average, less energy was transferred through the pad. Brock Beaded Technology G-Force Reduction The patented technology in the AiR Flex pads greatly reduces the force a player feels from impact. The Brock Beaded Quilt absorbs and diffuses the force among the thousands of its impact-absorbing beads. Brock Air Circulation The patented Brock Beaded Quilt not only evaporates sweat faster, if focuses air circulation - pushing the cool air in closer to your body - while the hot air is pushed out. Each model also features mm vent holes that keep the air flowing around your body. Raised Corrugations Raised corrugations in the design make the pad stronger while mm holes in both the arch and throughout the pad aid in circulating air to keep you cooler. Stainless Steel Hardware AiR Flex shoulder pads were built with elite athletes in mind, using the best materials and the best design to produce the games finest shoulder pads. AEGIS Anti-Microbial AEGIS takes anti-microbial agents to the next level. Working /, this rugged germ-fighting agent uses negatively charged anti-microbial particles to fight against an array of bacteria, fungus, germs, and mold. AEGIS is so effective, its registered with the EPA. Adult Sizes M - XXL. Positions Running Back, Linebacker, Safety, Corner Back.Adult Shoulder Pads - Adult Shoulder Pads

Schutt Adult Air Flex XO RB/WR Football Shoulder Pad - Adult Shoulder Pads $319.99 Specifically designed for skill position players. Pads are lightweight but strong. Adult Sizes M - XL. Positions Running Back, Linebacker, Cornerback, Safety. Impact Comparison Test To determine what shoulder pad really does the best job of protecting players from the force of tackles, the liner from the leading NFL shoulder pad was replaced with a Brock Beaded Quilt Liner. Subsequent laboratory testing showed a dramatic decrease in the force transmitted through the pad, when compared to the original liner. On average, less energy was transferred through the pad. Brock Beaded Technology G-Force Reduction The patented technology in the AiR Flex pads greatly reduces the force a player feels from impact. The Brock Beaded Quilt absorbs and diffuses the force among the thousands of its impact-absorbing beads. Brock Air Circulation The patented Brock Beaded Quilt not only evaporates sweat faster, if focuses air circulation - pushing the cool air in closer to your body - while the hot air is pushed out. Each model also features mm vent holes that keep the air flowing around your body. Raised Corrugations Raised corrugations in the design make the pad stronger while mm holes in both the arch and throughout the pad aid in circulating air to keep you cooler. Stainless Steel Hardware AiR Flex shoulder pads were built with elite athletes in mind, using the best materials and the best design to produce the games finest shoulder pads. AEGIS Anti-Microbial AEGIS takes anti-microbial agents to the next level. Working /, this rugged germ-fighting agent uses negatively charged anti-microbial particles to fight against an array of bacteria, fungus, germs, and mold. AEGIS is so effective, its registered with the EPA. Adult Shoulder Pads - Adult Shoulder Pads

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 1:59 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.