Newsletter For Anita Goldin The Coaching Compass
                                                                                                                                                 October / November 2011  
Welcome to The Coaching Compass Newsletter!
 
Teamwork ...Could it be as simple as Popcorn and a Movie? 
Learning should be fun and what better way to focus on teamwork than through watching a good flick with a tasty snack?  This month our Training Activity involves teamwork, cooperation and trust.  And in lieu of a coaching article, our Coaching Corner has listed few classic movies that tap into teamwork & team development.  So after your training game, grab some extra popcorn, turn down the lights and let the show began.  
Training Activity 

The Popcorn Challenge
 
This is a fun activity in which participants work in pairs and are tasked with the job of feeding each other popcorn with a spoon while both are blindfolded.

  

Purpose: In this activity participants learn to cooperate with each other, hone their communication skills and have some fun. This is a great activity to use when you want to:
· Slow people down and have them focus on the task at hand
· Inspire creative problem solving
· Loosen up the group and have fun
 
Preparation: Assemble the following materials: Popcorn, a spoon and blindfolds
 
Delivery Instruction:  Have participants pair up. Distribute blindfolds, a spoon and popcorn to each team. While both are blindfolded, one participant feeds 10 pieces of popcorn to their partner on the spoon one at a time. After they are successful, they will reverse roles and repeat.
 
Debrief:
  • How did you feel when you put the blindfold on?
  • What kind of obstacles did you encounter?
  • What ways did you find to communicate, cooperate and be successful?
  • How does this exercise relate to how interact in the workplace?
*As always, create questions that will generate discussion around the specific areas that are relevant to your team  
The Coaching Corner 

Movies can be a good catalyst for great discussions. Here are a few suggestions of engaging movies with teambuilding themes. Be sure to preview first and prepare discussion questions.

 

Apollo 13: This movie is an excellent example of how a great team can work effectively under pressure to meet a goal when stakes are high.
 
Remember the Titans: This would be an excellent movie choice for teams in need of blending and with differences beyond work. It provides many favorable situations to teach on and does a nice job of showing Tuckman's classic stages of team development : Forming, Storming, Norming & Performing.
 
Invictus: An inspiring true story about teamwork.  Many lessons to discuss. This movie does a great job illustrating how finding common ground and having a common goal can bridge huge gaps and bring people together.  

 

21: This movie can be used to spur discussion around communication, common goals, trust and loyalty in team situations.

 

The Great Debaters: Opportunities for discussion around several areas including perseverance, team spirit, adversity, and leadership.

 

12 Angry Men: This movie explores many techniques of consensus-building, and the difficulties encountered in the process, among a group of men whose range of personalities adds intensity and conflict.

 

The Great Escape:  One of the single best team-building movie ever!  Allied prisoners of war escaping from a German POW camp during World War II exhibit key team attributes such as collaboration, determination & courage.

 

The Sting: An example of masterful team work! Getting the right people on the team makes all of the difference.

 

Ocean's 11: This movie does a nice job of showing how importance communication and synchronicity  is when working towards a goal.  Even criminals need to work effectively as a team .. especially when the stakes are high! 

 

Eight Below: Survival, support and loyalty.  We can learn a lot from dogs when it comes to teamwork. 

 

These are just a few suggestions.  Take note the next time you go to the movies and consider the possible links to leadership and teamwork.  Also consider asking your team for their suggestions.

 

Enjoy!

 Check out our Leadership Compass Workshops

  1. Leadership Style & Conflict Resolution
  2. Enhancing Communication Effectiveness
  3. Building your Team
  4. Performance Management
  5. Time Management & Goal Setting
  6. Coaching with Confidence

Choose one or all six of these 1/2 day training sessions to get your management staff on the right track. For more information on session content and details on logistics, contact email : anita@thecoachingcompass.com  or call 949-387-3436.

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