Team BuildingAn example of scenario-based learning

Enter

The Scene

You have been asked by your tutor to break into smaller groups of 5 in order to work through a Project.

Everyone in your group is looking slightly embarrassed and bewildered as they don’t know each other.

Be polite and wait for a natural leader to take the initiative.

What do you do?

Guidelines

Decide on the activity which most accurately describes what action you feel you should take in this scenario. This is not necessarily the activity you would naturally wish to undertake.

Click on A, B or C

A

B

C

Start by asking the group to think how they are going to work together.

Breakdown the Project tasks and ask people to volunteer.

Click on A, B or C

Back

Team building exercise

Wait Politely

You chose to be polite and wait for someone else to take the initiative and start.

Taking this action may involve allowing someone else to assume leadership.

Why is this wrong?

This is a classic case of…if everyone did this – nothing would happen!

It is absolutely essential that all team members actively participate. People who naturally take over a group are not always the best leaders. Even if you do not find it your natural trait it may be necessary to start the ball rolling and suggest democratically electing a group leader! You may need to overcome your natural shyness to do this.

Wait politely…

Working together

Well done! The group has now decided that each member of the team needs to establish their personality type in order to maximise the team’s efforts.

Decision

The group has also decided a Chair should be appointed. Based on the 5 personality types of the group which personality would you vote for?

Big ThinkerCounsellorGo-getterIdealistInnovatorLeaderMastermindMentor

Aids for this task

Click on the link below to go to a 10-minute personality test with a description of 16 different personality types based on the Myers-Briggs test…http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/whatamilike/index.shtml

Big ThinkerA

B

C

D

E

Go-getter

Mastermind

Peacemaker

Realist

The 16 Personality TypesNurturerPeacemakerPerformerProviderRealistResolverStrategistSupervisor

The role of the Chairperson

1. Provides leadership to the Group with respect to its functions including overseeing the logistics of the operations of the Group.

2. Calls and chairs meetings of the Group.

3. Ensures that the Group meets on a regular basis and at least once weekly.

4. In consultation with the Course Tutor and the members of the Group, establishes a calendar for holding meetings and sets the agendas for the meetings of the Group.

5. In collaboration with the Course Tutor ensures that agenda items for all Committee meetings are ready for presentation and that adequate information is distributed to the Group in advance of such meetings in order that Group members may properly inform themselves on matters to be acted upon.

6. Assigns tasks to members of the Group.

7. Meets periodically with the Course Tutor to optimize his/her liaison function and to ensure efficient communication between the Course Tutor and the Group.

8. Ensures that at the end of the Project a Project Report is prepared and distributed to the members of the Group and the Course Tutor and that the contents of that Report meet with the unanimous approval of the Group.

Request Volunteers

Breakdown the tasks and ask people to volunteer.

Taking this action would involve you taking the leading role.

Why is this wrong?

Whilst the group might initially co-operate with a self-nominated leader, this may not be the natural dynamic of the group.

Other group members may feel resentful and not work collaboratively. The group may end up going in different directions to avoid conflict and a new group leader may have to be elected democratically.

Group dynamics…

Big Thinker

“Big Thinkers are usually curious, logical and energetic. This chatty group enjoys a good debate and asserting their opinions. Sometimes others may find the way they express their ideas too abrupt or challenging.”

SPONTANEOUS IDEAS EXTROVERTHEADS

According to the shortened version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® prepared for the BBC personality test…

Chatty…Opinionated…Abrupt – are these good characteristics for a Chair?

A Chair may act as a mediator. When there are problems within the group the ground rules should be obeyed and people within the group should express their views ‘through the Chair’ and not direct them at an individual.

Go-Getter

“Go Getters are active, flexible people who put a great deal of energy into life. This group prefers learning on the job to quiet study and willingly jumps into almost any situation. Others are attracted to the Go-getter's positive attitude and enthusiasm.”

According to the shortened version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® prepared for the BBC personality test…

SPONTANEOUS FACTS EXTROVERTHEADS

Would a go-getter be too persuasive to be Chair?

A Chair may act as a mediator and should be able to verbalise the different viewpoints and help the group to come to a unanimous decision or to compromise and reach an acceptable course of action in order to move on.

Mastermind

“Masterminds create a vision for the future by gathering and organising information. They then develop strategies to achieve their goals. They have a rare gift for looking at almost anything and seeing how it can be improved. These skills and the Masterminds' high standards often allow them to reach leadership positions at work.”

According to the shortened version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® prepared for the BBC personality test…

PLANNER IDEAS INTROVERTHEADS

A Chair may act as a mediator which is not the same as a leader.

The mastermind is a born leader, but he or she will still benefit from being able to distance themselves from personality conflict. Talking through the Chair enables that to happen.

Peacemaker

“Peacemakers focus on the present and enjoy helping others in practical ways. They are sensitive to the world around them and take quiet joy from people and nature, particularly animals. Peacemakers value close relationships, but it may take time for others to get to know them.”

According to the shortened version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® prepared for the BBC personality test…

SPONTANEOUS FACTS INTROVERTHEARTS

Sensitive to the world around them – sounds like they would be perfect mediators in confrontational situations – an ideal Chairperson.

Being introverts may mean that they will need the cooperation and support of other members of the group when the going gets tough!

Realist

“Realists are loyal to the people around them and work hard to keep their promises. They are honest and straightforward with others and expect the same in return. Realists believe in standard procedures and will only support change when there is a demonstrable benefit.”

According to the shortened version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® prepared for the BBC personality test…

PLANNER FACTS INTROVERTHEADS

Only support change when there is obvious benefit! Does this sound ideal for an un-biased Chairperson?

Although honest with others, where would a realist’s loyalties lie - with the group or with someone in the group that they readily have rapport with?

A Chair must act as an unbiased mediator in confrontational situations.

Aims & Objectives

Identify the structure of the group

Engage in meaningful interactions

Acknowledge the team as a collective unit

Maintain a shared communication network

Recognise common goals Complete the Project to

everyone’s satisfaction.

How could the team ensure that everyone participated?

What action could you, as a member of the group, take to diffuse a confrontational situation within the group?

Which one of the 16 personality types are you?

Questions to answer

As a member of a group would you be able to…

Avoiding confrontation…

Exit