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Teamwork Icebreakers and Energisers

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The ability to work effectively with others toward a common goal, sharing knowledge and skills to create solutions that benefit everyone involved, are an important element in the success of any business.

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Alien Invasion - The Fragility of Trust

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the importance of trust and how easily it is lost.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the importance of trust and how easily it is lost.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A whistle or bell (optional) to let the group know when to stop.
• A selection of small prizes.

Notes:
This provides an interesting insight into how tribalism, based on fear, is created and the implications of that.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this icebreaker available in Trainers’ Library.

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An Eggs-acting Challenge - Creating a Winning Strategy

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.

Aims:
• To provide participants with a challenge that tests participants’ abilities to work together to solve a problem.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To provide participants with a challenge that tests participants’ abilities to work together to solve a problem.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels, especially those working together in teams (or who soon will be).

You'll Need:
• Plenty of clear space for the activity and a way of marking the start and finish line of the racetrack.

And for each team:
• Two postal tubes (stoppers removed).
• Two golf balls.
• Six eggs.
• A flipchart pen.

Notes:
This training activity can get messy, so it is best run outside in an open space.

You should also check if any participants have an allergy to eggs. If so, they can assist you in observing.

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Anagram Line Up!

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To energise a group.
• To test participants’ abilities to work together quickly to solve a simple problem.
• To introduce the concept of continuous improvement.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To energise a group.
• To test participants’ abilities to work together quickly to solve a simple problem.
• To introduce the concept of continuous improvement.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
All participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This simple activity is one you can return to several times in your training to demonstrate the principles of continuous improvement.

Provided you have more than one team, this activity adds an extra dimension to the remote delivery module, ‘Hands Up, Line Up!’ by encouraging participants to reflect on how a silo mentality might impact continuous improvement.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
The Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library is called ‘Hands Up, Line Up!’.

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And They Said…

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To review knowledge, share feedback or quiz participants.
• To assess current awareness of a situation or challenge.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To review knowledge, share feedback or quiz participants.
• To assess current awareness of a situation or challenge.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Any situation where you want to inject some fun and humour whilst testing your participants’ knowledge or awareness.

You'll Need:
• To pre-prepare a series of questions, each with multiple answers.

Notes:
Developed to share customer feedback with our team, this is also a great activity to use in any situation where you want to run a quiz where questions have more than one answer. For example, you could use it to test participants’ knowledge of the main features of a product or service, or to remind teams of their successes.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library called Let's See if it's There.

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PowerPoint
Buzzer Sound File

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Balloon Team - The Positive Emotions of Being Involved

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 10 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the positive emotions connected to being involved and how they differ from those of an onlooker.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 10 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the positive emotions connected to being involved and how they differ from those of an onlooker.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A number of inflated balloons (one for every 6-8 participants).
• Plenty of space for participants to move around.

Notes:
Larger groups will need a longer running time for the exercise.

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Chocolate! - Teamwork or Competition?

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To allow participants to get to know each other in a fun manner.
• To encourage groups of participants to work as a team.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To allow participants to get to know each other in a fun manner.
• To encourage groups of participants to work as a team.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 24.

You'll Need:
• 3 plastic boxes, each containing 7 large pieces of chocolate (1 box of dark, 1 of milk and 1 of white).
• A stopwatch (optional).

Notes:
Great for use with junior staff as part of an induction where you want emphasise the importance of working together and sharing knowledge.

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Question Cards

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Colour Confusion - Who Will Spot the Match?

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To reflect on how well participants work together in a competitive situation.
• To re-energise a group.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To reflect on how well participants work together in a competitive situation.
• To re-energise a group.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• One set of the Colour Confusion Cards per team, which you will need to cut out beforehand.

Notes:
This game is best played in teams with between 3 and 5 participants in each.

Please note, this exercise may not be suitable if you have participants who suffer from colour-blindness, or who are visually impaired.

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Colour Confusion for Accuracy - Testing Accuracy Under Pressure

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore how accurate participants can be when working under pressure.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore how accurate participants can be when working under pressure.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• One set of the Name, Colour and Shape Cards per team, which you will need to cut out beforehand.

Notes:
This is a more demanding version of the Colour Confusion activity that can be used as a follow-on.

This game is best played in teams with 2-3 participants in each.

Please note, this exercise may not be suitable if you have participants who suffer from colour-blindness, or who are visually impaired.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Come Dine With Us - Team Strengths and Diversity

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the strengths and unique characteristics of their team.
• To encourage participants to think about what makes their team special.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the strengths and unique characteristics of their team.
• To encourage participants to think about what makes their team special.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with all group of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing.

Notes:
This exercise works best when your participants are a team who work together in the workplace.

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Comedy of Errors - Film Script Pitch

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about where things go wrong.
• To identify behaviours to avoid.
• To encourage discussion about the behaviour(s) being explored in the following training.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about where things go wrong.
• To identify behaviours to avoid.
• To encourage discussion about the behaviour(s) being explored in the following training.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Enough space for small teams to work separately.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Course Introduction - A Basic Introduction to Training Events

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the materials provided.

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Handout
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Dominoes

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore and test leadership, teamwork and problem solving.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore and test leadership, teamwork and problem solving.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size although you do need a minimum of 8 participants.

Useful For:
All staff including managers.

You'll Need:
A set of domino cards. (See trainer's notes for the number you need to print.)

Notes:
You will need to prepare your dominoes in advance as per the instructions in the Trainer's Notes.

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Extra Colour Confusion - Creating a Strategy for Success

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participants accuracy under pressure when working in teams.
• To reflect on how they could have improved their performance.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participants accuracy under pressure when working in teams.
• To reflect on how they could have improved their performance.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• One set of the Name Cards per team, which you will need to cut out beforehand.
• The PowerPoint slides of challenges, provided.

Notes:
This game is best played in teams with 3-5 participants in each.

Please note, this exercise may not be suitable if you have participants who suffer from colour-blindness, or who are visually impaired.

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Name Cards
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Filing Frenzy Fun!

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 10 minutes.

Aims:
• To energise and engage participants.
• To help participants understand why practice makes perfect when learning new skills.

About

Time:
Each individual challenge will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 10 minutes to complete each activity.

Aims:
• To energise and engage participants.
• To help participants understand why practice makes perfect when learning new skills.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of 6 or more participants.

You'll Need:
• 5 sets of the Filing Frenzy shape cards for every team of 3 participants and the PowerPoint Challenges slides.
• A stopwatch or timer.

Notes:
Each Filing Frenzy! pack contains 10 sets of the shape cards used in this activity.

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Fitting In

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 10 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore how creativity and teamwork makes problem solving easier.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 10 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore how creativity and teamwork makes problem solving easier.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size. However, you will need to put participants into teams if you have over 16 participants.

You'll Need:
• One set of the cards per 16 participants.

Notes:
If you expect to run this exercise on more than one occasion, consider laminating the cards.

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Getting Knotted - Working Together to Solve a Challenge

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participants’ abilities to work together and solve a problem.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participants’ abilities to work together and solve a problem.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of between 6 and 24 participants.

You'll Need:
Two lengths of string (approximately 30cm long) for each participant.

Notes:
This exercise involves bending and twisting and may not be suitable for all participants. Please remind participants to take care in this exercise.

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Goal! - Teamwork and Lateral Thinking

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think laterally about a problem.
• To encourage participants to work together in order to simplify a task and achieve a better result.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think laterally about a problem.
• To encourage participants to work together in order to simplify a task and achieve a better result.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

You'll Need:
• Soft balls (4-6 will do).
• A bucket.
• 2 large large newspapers (rolled up).
• 2 blindfolds.

Notes:
You can run this outside, or inside if you’ve sufficient space.

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Golf Ball Challenge - Tactical Teamwork

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participants’ abilities to work together to complete a challenge.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participants’ abilities to work together to complete a challenge.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels, especially those working together in teams (or who soon will be).

You'll Need:
• Plenty of clear space for the activity and a way of marking the start and finish line of the racetrack. (Outside is best.)

And for each team:
• Two postal tubes (stoppers removed).
• A golf ball.
• A flipchart pen.

Notes:
A small prize for the winning team would be a nice touch.

For a similar activity, with a different approach, you might like to look at An Eggs-acting Challenge - Creating a Winning Strategy.

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Happy (Half) Hour - Celebrating The Team

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the culture of their team or organisation.
• To identify the positive aspects of the team or organisation.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the culture of their team or organisation.
• To identify the positive aspects of the team or organisation.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
•Plenty of transparent plastic glasses - ideally you'll have a variety of sizes and shapes.
• A selection of colourful swizzle sticks (plastic stirrers with shapes at one end).
• Packets of coloured tissue paper in a wide variety of colours.

Notes:
Small prizes would be a nice touch, but are not essential.

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Hexagon Shuffle - Problem Solving and Teamwork

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To energise participants ready for the learning ahead.
• To get participants working together as a team to solve a problem.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5-10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To energise participants ready for the learning ahead.
• To get participants working together as a team to solve a problem.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of between of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• One set of the Hexagon Shuffle Cards. (See trainer notes.)

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Cards
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Improving Team Performance - Creative Brainstorming

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 40 minutes.

Aims:
• To develop participant’s brainstorming skills.
• To identify what changes participants would like to see within their team/department.
• To explore how participants can make those changes possible.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To develop participant’s brainstorming skills.
• To identify what changes participants would like to see within their team/department.
• To explore how participants can make those changes possible.

Group Size:
This icebreaker can be used with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Existing teams.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper and pens.
• Enough green sticky dots for participants to have three each. (If you are unable to source sticky dots, a green marker pen for every participant will work too.)

Notes:
This module is designed for situations where your participants work together in the same team. It can be run as a stand-alone exercise on brainstorming, or as part of a session looking to develop the continuous improvement skills of a team.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Inspired Rhymes

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think creatively.
• To help participants feel more confident in their ability to think creatively.
• To recognise the positive impact another person’s ideas can have on our own thoughts.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think creatively.
• To help participants feel more confident in their ability to think creatively.
• To recognise the positive impact another person’s ideas can have on our own thoughts.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Enough cards for 1 for every pair of participants.

Notes:
A great exercise to energise a group at the start of a creative thinking or problem solving workshop, or to re-energise them after a break. Larger groups may require duplicate cards and a longer running time.

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Joining the Chain - Engagement and Teamwork

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants get to know each other.
• To encourage participants to think about key words that reflect their feelings about the course or the topic that the course covers.
• To encourage a sense of teamwork and togetherness.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants get to know each other.
• To encourage participants to think about key words that reflect their feelings about the course or the topic that the course covers.
• To encourage a sense of teamwork and togetherness.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

You'll Need:
• A4 sheets of paper in various colours.
• Glue sticks and fine black marker pens (1 for every 3-4 participants).

Notes:
This icebreaker can be adapted to any topic where you want participants to feel part of a team or explore feelings connected to being part of a team. It would also make a fun launch for a conference.

Please note that there is a small amount of preparation required for this exercise.

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Joining the Dots - Testing Teamwork and Accuracy

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To test the accuracy levels of your participants.
• To explore how well participants can work together as a team.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test the accuracy levels of your participants.
• To explore how well participants can work together as a team.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• A copy of the handout provided and a set of coloured pens/pencils for every team.
• A prize for the winning team (optional).

Notes:
We suggest that you try solving the challenge yourself before the session, so you can see how it’s done. It will also help you give hints and tips to participants as they complete the exercise.

Please note, although we have included symbols to aid participants who suffer from colour-blindness, this exercise may not be suitable for those who are visually impaired.

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Know Your Colleagues? - Team Diversity

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To test participant's knowledge of each other.
• To consider the extent to which individuals' skills and abilities are utilised at work.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To test participant's knowledge of each other.
• To consider the extent to which individuals' skills and abilities are utilised at work.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

You'll Need:
• Each participant to complete the questionnaire prior to the session, as you’ll be using the answers to create a team quiz.

Notes:
This exercise is for participants who already know each other. So do remind them to keep their answers private until after the quiz.

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Let's Dance! - Networking and Communication

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage networking.
• To illustrate that getting to know what matters to others is a great way of building rapport.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage networking.
• To illustrate that getting to know what matters to others is a great way of building rapport.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 24 participants.

You'll Need:
Music, of your choice to play during the exercise.

Notes:
Remember to ensure that you have the appropriate PRS and PPL licences to use music during training.

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Loop the Hoop - Improving our Solutions

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To energise a group of participants.
• To encourage teamwork and team problem solving.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To energise a group of participants.
• To encourage teamwork and team problem solving.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of 5 or more participants. If you have more than 10 participants, split them into smaller teams.

You'll Need:
• Hula Hoops (1 or 2 per team).
• A stopwatch.

Notes:
This exercise may not be suitable for some people with a disability.

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Missing Pieces - Working Together

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage teamwork and co-operation.
• To encourage participants to think about the role of leadership in teams.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage teamwork and co-operation.
• To encourage participants to think about the role of leadership in teams.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups with between 6 and 25 participants.

You'll Need:

• 3 or 4 small jigsaw puzzles.
• Some small envelopes. (1 per participant.)

Notes:
You will need to prepare the jigsaws prior to the training (see Trainer's Notes).

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My Role in the Team - Work v Home

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore how participants perceive their role in the team and if they adopt a similar approach away from work.
• To explore how their colleagues perceive their own roles in the team and if this differs away from work.
• To understand the importance of diversity of skills and abilities within a successful team.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore how participants perceive their role in the team and if they adopt a similar approach away from work.
• To explore how their colleagues perceive their own roles in the team and if this differs away from work.
• To understand the importance of diversity of skills and abilities within a successful team.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with pre-existing teams of up to 15 team members.

You'll Need:
• One set of My Role Cards per 8 participants, blu tack and flipchart.

Notes:
This exercise is designed for pre-existing teams, especially if they need to work more effectively together.

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Personal Item - Sharing Information

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To build rapport among participants.

About

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to share information about themselves.
• To build rapport among participants.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

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Pieland Fling - Improving Communication

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participants communication in a fun way and identify areas for improvement.
• To consider the impact poor communication can have on performance levels.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participants communication in a fun way and identify areas for improvement.
• To consider the impact poor communication can have on performance levels.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A bucket (or a bowl if space is limited).
• A timer/stopwatch.
• A flipchart to record the scores.

And for each pair of participants:
• A blindfold.
• 6 soft balls (or tiddlywinks/counters if space is limited). (Each pair must have six balls/counters of the same colour.)

Notes:
If space is limited, substitute the bucket and soft balls for a bowl and tiddlywinks/counters.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Prisoners of Dongia

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 35 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participants ability to work together to solve a communication challenge.
• To encourage participants to think about communication and the importance of being able to communicate with others.
• To consider the importance of checking understanding and taking your whole team with you when change occurs.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 35 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participants ability to work together to solve a communication challenge.
• To encourage participants to think about communication and the importance of being able to communicate with others.
• To consider the importance of checking understanding and taking your whole team with you when change occurs.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 12 participants.

Useful For:
Staff of all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
If using this exercise with very large groups, you will need to split participants into smaller teams.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Pulling in Different Directions

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore the positive impact of assertive communication when working with others.
• To describe how communication helped or hindered their problem solving.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore the positive impact of assertive communication when working with others.
• To describe how communication helped or hindered their problem solving.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A length of rope. (We suggest around 1 metre per participant.)
• A blindfold for each participant.

Notes:
If using this exercise with very large groups, you will need volunteers to take part and the remaining participants act as observers.

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Shared Effort - The Importance of Teamwork

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To illustrate the nature and importance of teamwork in a fun way.
• To help teams define teamwork.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To illustrate the nature and importance of teamwork in a fun way.
• To help teams define teamwork.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• One ‘Bendy Person’ for each participant
• One A3 sheet of paper for each participant. (Please note that A4 is not large enough.)

Notes:
This icebreaker is based on an idea contributed by Kim Davies.

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Sorting Out - Why Objectives Matter

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants to understand why clear objectives and goals matter.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants to understand why clear objectives and goals matter.

Group Size:
This exercise is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• One set of Sorting Out Shape Cards per two participants.
• A stopwatch.
• A buzzer or bell to signal when their time is up.

Notes:
Filing Frenzy card packs are available to purchase – each pack contains 10 sets of the shape cards used in this activity.

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Sorting Out - Why Speaking Works Best

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants to understand the limitations of electronic communication when working as a team.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants to understand the limitations of electronic communication when working as a team.

Group Size:
This exercise is suitable for use with groups of 6 or more participants.

You'll Need:
• 1 set of Sorting Out Shape Cards and 3 envelopes per team of 3 participants.
• Every participant needs to use a mobile phone during the exercise.
• A stopwatch.

Filing Frenzy card packs are available to purchase - each pack contains 10 sets of the shape cards used in this activity.

Notes:
This exercise works best with break out spaces, but it’s not essential as long as you have space to separate the 3 sets of players.

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Stepping Stones - Team Development

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage team development.
• To focus discussion on the team's approach to problem solving, communication, success and failure and team leadership.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage team development.
• To focus discussion on the team's approach to problem solving, communication, success and failure and team leadership.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of between 8 and 12 participants.

You'll Need:
• One stepping stone per participant plus one extra. (A stepping stone could be a sheet of paper, or a carpet tile.)

Notes:
If you have an odd number of participants, ask someone to observe.

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The Art of Teamwork

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 15 minutes.

Aims:
• To explore how participants see their role in the team.
• To allow participants to share what they think they personally contribute to the team.
• To understand the importance of diversity within a successful team.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To explore how participants see their role in the team.
• To allow participants to share what they think they personally contribute to the team.
• To understand the importance of diversity within a successful team.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Pre-existing teams.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper and pens for each participant.

Notes:
This exercise is designed for pre-existing teams, and especially those that may need to work more effectively together.

If you have more than 10 participants, you may need to allow extra time for this activity.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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The Chain - A Networking Exercise

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To identify the things that we have in common with the rest of the group.
• Explain how finding connections can help to break down barriers and build relationships more quickly.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify the things that we have in common with the rest of the group.
• Explain how finding connections can help to break down barriers and build relationships more quickly.

Group Size:
Can be used with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This is a great exercise to get people talking and identify how we can all connect quickly and easily.

The activity can be run with very large groups, but you would need to increase the timings.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this icebreaker available in Trainers’ Library.

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The Problem with Letters - Testing Problem Solving Skills

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To test participant’s problem-solving skills.
• To explore the different behaviours employed when solving problems.
• To identify how these behaviours can impact team performance.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To test participant’s problem-solving skills.
• To explore the different behaviours employed when solving problems.
• To identify how these behaviours can impact team performance.

Group Size:
This icebreaker can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• One Puzzle Star and set of letters for every team in play.
• To cut out the missing letters for each of the Puzzle Stars required and place each set in an envelope (or similar).
• A small prize for the winning team (optional).

Notes:
This icebreaker works best when participants are split into teams of 2 or 3. It is fine for different teams to have the same puzzle.

There is another module which uses the same activity as this but in a different way. This icebreaker focuses on Problem Solving skills, whereas the other is a course module, ‘Letters Get Better’, which focuses on Continuous Improvement.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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The Wheel - The Importance of Teamwork (Icebreaker)

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of teamwork.
• To show how, by working together, we have the potential to achieve more.
• To encourage participants to consider the dangers of an overly competitive workplace culture.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of teamwork.
• To show how, by working together, we have the potential to achieve more.
• To encourage participants to consider the dangers of an overly competitive workplace culture.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

You'll Need:
• 1 game board, 1 die and 1 counter per team (with up to 8 participants in each team).
• Prizes of wrapped sweets/chocolates.

Notes:
This exercise can be followed by The Wheel - The Importance of Teamwork (Review), found in the Review Activities section of Trainers' Library.

For a more challenging version of the exercise with more in-depth learning there's The Wheel - The Importance of Teamwork, found in the Team Building section of Trainers' Library.

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True Lies

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To introduce participants in a fun way.
• To encourage people to think about how we communicate nonverbally.
• To encourage participants to begin to think about the important role of body language, tone and pitch in communication.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To introduce participants in a fun way.
• To encourage people to think about how we communicate nonverbally.
• To encourage participants to begin to think about the important role of body language, tone and pitch in communication.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants. (The activity can be used with larger groups, but you will need to allow more time.)

You'll Need:
• To ask participants in advance of the training to share one unusual fact about themselves.

Notes:
Based on the UK gameshow ‘Would I Lie to You?’, this is a fun way to introduce any training, but is particularly appropriate as an introduction around training linked to communication and body language. It can even be used to introduce equality and diversity training as it provides a way to make the point that there is more to people than we see on the surface and for participants to make assumptions about others in the group.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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Verbal Shape Challenge - Do We Need More Than Words?

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 25 minutes.

Aims:
• To reflect on how effective communication relies on more than words.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To reflect on how effective communication relies on more than words.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• A flipchart and a set of coloured flipchart pens (see the image in the Handout for the required colours to include in the set of pens).

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We Can Be Heroes - Just for One Day

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To help participants identify the values of the other participants.
• To understand the importance of questioning and listening to understand others.
• To get to know the other participants and build rapport.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify the values of the other participants.
• To understand the importance of questioning and listening to understand others.
• To get to know the other participants and build rapport.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A small box or other container.

Notes:
This exercise works equally well for groups that know each other and those who have never met before.

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Where is This Team? (Icebreaker)

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 30 minutes.

Aims:
• To encourage the team to think about the team's strengths and weaknesses.
• To identify behaviour that the team needs to change.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage the team to think about the team's strengths and weaknesses.
• To identify behaviour that the team needs to change.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise is designed for teams that normally work together.

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Working in Remote Teams

Time:
In total we estimate this exercise will take 20 minutes.

Aims:
• To understand all of the different elements needed to make remote teams successful.
• To generate creative ideas to summarise what remote teams require as a base for sharing knowledge and completing tasks.
• To challenge participants to work together against the clock to come up with examples of descriptive words.

About

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand all of the different elements needed to make remote teams successful.
• To generate creative ideas to summarise what remote teams require as a base for sharing knowledge and completing tasks.
• To challenge participants to work together against the clock to come up with examples of descriptive words.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
The exercise works best with participants who are just about to start working remotely, but can also be used as a re-energiser when remote teams become bogged down or 'stuck'.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

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