Why Teambuilding?
- Because we learn better by doing, when we are having fun, and when experience is shared among individuals
- Teambuilding refers to a host of activities, exercises, games, and initiatives that lend themselves to:
- Introducing groups and individuals that are not familiar with one another
- Breaking up monotony
- Building trust, respect, and communication among individuals and groups
- Creating bonds that promote future cohesiveness and effectiveness
- Relative to the Chapter, what groups might benefit from the use of these types of activities?
- Candidates
- Executive Officers
- Committee Chairs / Other Officers
- Committees
- Entire Chapter
- Recruits/ Potential Members
- Outside of the Chapter, what are groups or scenarios in which it might be a good idea to use teambuilding activities?
- Retreats
- Orientation- new student or new organization members
- Meetings- re-energizing a group
- Presentations- breaking up the monotony and illustrating a point
Team Building Activities
The teambuilding activities shared here are only a small sampling of what Sigma Nu chapters, colonies, members, and alumni can use to create experiential learning opportunities. This listing of activities can be sorted by type and suggested group size. Additional information on the time needed and the suggested group(s) to use the activity with can be found in the activity’s facilitator notes.
Activity type refers to Icebreaker, Energizer, or Initiative (more detail on these distinctions can be found below). Size refers to suggested or ideal group size to participate in the activity. Time refers to estimated time to complete the activity and any processing that may accompany it. And finally, group refers to a suggestion of whom the activity be used with (e.g. Candidate Class, Executive Board, or Entire Chapter). When selected, each activity will open as its own file.
Types of Team Building Activities
Teambuilding activities can be grouped into one of three categories: Icebreakers, Energizers, or Initiatives. Each type of activity has its own purposes, ideal uses, and facilitator roles. Please see below for a short explanation of each type of activity and some suggestions for successful facilitation and use.
Icebreakers
- Icebreakers are short, simple activities to be used with groups of people that are unfamiliar with one another. These are typically reserved for initial meetings of the group. They are also good when introducing multiple newcomers into an established group or team (new candidates or potential members to the chapter)
- These exercises are designed to:
- Get a group to warm up
- Get to know one another
- Learn about each other
- Make people comfortable with the group
- Icebreakers are typically conducted at the beginnings of events as a way of loosening new groups up and helping group members learn names
- The quick and simple nature of icebreakers allow them to be used at many different events, including:
- Recruitment events
- Mixers with Sororities
- Candidate Class Orientations
- Networking / Alumni events
- Family / Parent events
- Facilitators or group leaders should always participate in icebreakers with the group. This will show the participants that it is ok to participate and have fun
- Icebreakers do not require processing at the conclusion of the activity
Energizers
- Energizers are quick, simple activities that can be used with any size group. They are used to break up monotony, invigorate individuals after a break or meal, or to add some action to a program or event.
- Energizers are designed to:
- Get a group moving
- Give a break from long periods of sitting down
- Excite a group about the next portion of a program or event
- Energizers can be interspersed anywhere throughout an event or program. They can either be built into the schedule or used on an as-needed basis as determined by the facilitator or group leader
- Energizers will be most effective:
- When the group returns from a meal or break
- After long periods of lecture or sitting
- As a lead in to a new topic
- Whenever the energy in the group is low or approaching a lull
- Like icebreakers, facilitators or group leaders should always participate in energizers with the group. This will show the participants that it is ok to participate and have fun
- Energizers do not require processing at the conclusion of the activity
Initiatives
- Initiatives are designed for:
- Groups to work through a problem together
- Allowing groups to become comfortable and effective working together
- Raising issues in a team/group
- Posing relevant and educational challenges to the team/group
- Initiatives generally take longer than icebreakers and energizers because of the planning, thought, and execution of the task.
- Facilitators or group leaders should NOT participate in initiatives with the group
- The role of the facilitator or group leader in initiatives is:
- To explain the objective and confines of the activity
- To act as timekeeper and rule enforcer
- To monitor the safety and actions of participants throughout the activity
- To process the experience of individuals and the group at the conclusion of the activity (whether the objective is completed or not)
- There are some important guidelines that should be followed to ensure that initiatives are carried out to create a successful and fulfilling experience for the group. They are as follows:
- When using initiatives, always use the "Challenge by Choice" rule. Members should be challenged, but no participant should be forced to participate in any activity or situation which makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Set ground rules. These should be discussed and understood/agreed upon by all participants.
- Handle any potential safety issues. When using activities that require the use of additional equipment and/or involve lifting people off the ground or any other potentially dangerous situation, make sure that all equipment is in good condition and used properly, that all participants understand the importance of and their role in spotting and generally ensuring the safety of all participants. Be prepared to stop any activity if the safety of the participants is ever of concern
- To make activities more challenging (particularly if members of the group have attempted the activity previously), feel free to institute additional consequences or obstacles such as blindfolding, no talking, or mobility restrictions
- Provide only the basic instructions and do not get caught up in providing too much information or direction. It is often best to do this in the context of a story
- Only answer questions and provide additional information as it is necessary and relevant when asked by the group
- Use good judgment. It is important to provide the group with the proper balance of challenge and support so they stretch themselves and learn, but also do not become overly frustrated and shut down
- After the group has completed an initiative, it is essential that the facilitator or group leader help the group to process what has just occurred. Without processing, initiatives are just games!
- There are numerous settings and groups to use initiatives in or with, including:
- Chapter Retreat
- Officer Retreat
- Committee Meeting
- Officer Transitions
- Candidate Class Retreat/Meeting
- Recruitment Event
- LEAD Session
A Few Thoughts on Processing Teambuilding Activities
- Processing is what differentiates games from initiatives (teambuilding activities)
- Processing:
- Enables the group to further identify "lessons learned" from the activity
- Improves the understanding of group dynamics
- Allows the group to assess its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement related to working as a team
- In its simplest form, processing attempts to have the group answer the questions: What? So What? Now What?
- What?
- What happened?
- From the beginning to end, what occurred as the group worked together through the problem?
- What process did the group use to complete, or not complete, the objective?
- Were all active participants?
- Did a leader emerge?
- What happened?
- So What?
- Why do you think these things happened?
- Why was the group successful or unsuccessful?
- Why did the group use the process it used in its attempt(s) to complete the objective?
- Now What?
- What does this mean?
- How does this apply to the current group or situation?
- What are some ways lessons from this activity can be applied in the future?
- What will you do differently in the future as a result of this experience?
- Things to keep in mind when processing
- Avoid yes/no and close-ended questions
- Do not let one individual monopolize the discussion
- Draw out participants by asking questions that give ownership (How did you feel when..., or would you have done things differently?)
- There are no right or wrong answers
- Don't force anything, it is better to under-process than over-process
