Big Book of Virtual Teambuilding Games: Quick, Effective Activities To Build Communication, Trust And Collaboration From Anywhere! (Big Book Series) - Softcover

Scannell, Mary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0071774351 ISBN 13: 9780071774352

Publisher: McGraw-Hill, 2011

Synopsis

Get remote team members to interact as if they’re in the same room!

Whether you’re videoconferencing with team members across the world or e-mailing a colleague sitting ten feet away, the truth is evident: technology has permanently altered the way we communicate. The virtual workplace can facilitate quicker decision making and reduced overhead. But the lack of face-to-face interaction can also impede trust, innovation, and creativity among team members.

The Big Book of Virtual Team-Building Games is packed with games and activities for developing productive virtual teams across all digital platforms, including e-mail, mobile devices, web-based conferencing tools, and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype.

The Big Book of Virtual Team-Building Games helps you:

• Build a greater sense of community and reduce conflict
• Increase levels of engagement
• Get the most out of more-introverted team members
• Boost team members’ productivity

Make sure that the only thing separating your people is distance. The Big Book of Virtual Team-Building Games is just the tool you need to develop trusting relationships, foster clear communication, and use technology to enhance the team’s connections.

About this title

About the Author

Mary Scannell has worked as a consultant, speaker, writer, and trainer for the past twenty years. She is coauthor of The Big Book of Team-Motivating Games and author of The Big Book of Conflict-Resolution Games.
Michael Abrams is senior director of talent optimization for Banner Healthcare and founder of LearnCamp Phoenix.
Mike Mulvihill is the founder of PossibiliTEAMS Corporate Team Building & Training.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The big book of virtual team-building games

Quick, effective activities to build communication, trust, and collaboration from anywhere!

By Mary Scannell, Michael Abrams, Mike Mulvihill

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Copyright © 2012 Mary Scannell, Michael Abrams, and Mike Mulvihill
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-07-177435-2

Contents

Acknowledgments
What Is a Virtual Team, Anyway?
Stages of Team Development
What Do I Need to Use These Games?
Getting the Most From This Book
1 Virtual Team-Building Games for the Forming Stage
2 Virtual Team-Building Games for the Storming Stage
3 Virtual Team-Building Games for the Norming Stage
4 Virtual Team-Building Games for the Performing Stage
5 Virtual Team-Building Games for the Transforming Stage

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Virtual Team-Building Games for the Forming Stage

None of us is as smart as all of us.

—Japanese Proverb

The Forming Stage

This is the polite, get acquainted, and "get to know each other" stage. This iswhere team members begin to figure out who's who, and where everyone fits intothe picture. Typically, this takes place at the opening meeting or even anorientation session. For a virtual team, get a head start on this stage byproviding the team with each team member's qualifications and backgroundinformation so everyone has an understanding of why the individuals were chosenfor the team.

For traditional teams, the forming stage includes both the actual time spent inmeetings and the informal gatherings and discussions in and around the initialmeetings. For virtual teams, these informal connections have to be planned forand strategically incorporated early on into team conference calls. The goal isto create an environment that is safe and secure. Because the team also looksfor guidance and direction in this stage, the leader must ensure that the team'spurpose is clearly communicated and understood by all team members. At thisbeginning stage, it's essential to get buy-in from all the team members andcandidly and honestly identify the pros and cons of teamwork and team building.This stage is where the team builds their foundation, so time well spent in thisstage will pay off later.

A Map of Our Team

OBJECTIVES

• To build a stronger sense of team identity

• To gain a better understanding of the members of the team

Team Size

Any

Materials

Landmark Suggestion List provided and available for download atvirtualteambuildinggames.com

Time

20 minutes or more

Technology

Google Maps, Bing Maps, MapQuest, or other location-or map-based service.Everyone on the team will need an account to use any of these services.

Procedure

Online collaborative tools give virtual work teams a whole new set of resourcesfor working together and building relationships among members. This activityuses an online location- or map-based service to create an interactive,customized (and private) map that's all about your team and its members.

Shared maps are a great way for team members to visualize where everyone livesand works, and provide opportunities for participants to learn more about theirvirtual teammates.

We suggest following these steps prior to the team meeting:

1. Assign a unique colored marker or pushpin to each team member.

2. Team members can place their pushpins anywhere on the map to identifylandmarks that are related to them.

3. Team members can include as much or as little detail as they would like.

4. Once completed, people can click on the pushpins of their teammates to learnmore about them, including fun facts, professionally relevant facts, informationthat's location-specific, and personal insights.

Landmarks should be as specific as possible and include work- or project-relatedplaces. Using the maximum zoom will ensure your pushpin locations are exact.Ideas for landmarks include:

• The place you currently work

• The location of your corporate headquarters

• The location(s) of key vendors, customers, or clients

Ideally, this game should focus on more personal aspects of team members' lives.In order for teammates to really get to know each other, make sure to includesome nonwork categories for team members to mark on your shared map. Here are afew suggestions:

• Your hometown/where you grew up

• The college you attended

• A place you would like to live

• A place that intrigues you

• Sites of the three most significant experiences in your life

• A place you have visited several times

• The farthest place to which you have ever traveled

• The location of your favorite restaurant

• Where your child was born

• A favorite vacation spot

• All the places you have worked

• The location of your first job

Tips

An easy way to get started: navigate to maps.google.com.

• Click on "My places"

• Click on "Create new map"

Discussion Questions

1. How does sharing more personal information build a stronger virtual team?

2. Is self-disclosure necessary for a virtual work team? If so, what isthe appropriate level of self-disclosure?

3. What are some other things we would like to learn about the membersof our team?

4. How does geography play a role in a person's work style?

All About Me

OBJECTIVES

• To improve camaraderie and connections

• To understand more about the members of the team on a personal level

• To build a deeper level of trust on the team

Team Size

Any

Materials

All About Me Guidelines (provided here, and available for download fromvirtualteambuildinggames.com)

Time

10 to 20 minutes

Technology

Email, word-processing document

Procedure

While this activity is good for any type of virtual team, team members that areworking from different time zones can gain a better sense of team byparticipating in this game. Request that each member of your team create an "AllAbout Me" page (using the guidelines provided; add any other topics that may beof interest or unique to your team). Let them know the purpose of the task is togain a better understanding of the people who make up the team. After receivingall the individual pages, combine them into one document and email it to all theteam members to print out as a reminder of who the people are on theirteam.

Variations

After providing your team with the idea, ask them to submit topics of interestto be included in everyone's "All About Me" documents.

Discussion Questions

No discussion questions are necessary.

GET IT ONLINE!

All About Me Guidelines

Please create a document to help us to get to know you better. Start with yourname and a current picture of yourself. Beneath your picture, complete thesesentences.

• I was born in _________.

• I live in __________ and have lived here for _________.

• My family consists of _________.

• In my spare time I like to __________.

• One of my favorite quotes is __________.

Get creative! Pictures are welcome! Please include any additional pictures orinterests that will help your teammates get to know you better. Thank you.

Sara Jensen

• I was born in Dodge City, Kansas.

• I live in Chicago, and have been here 12 years.

• My husband, Phil, and I have two sons. Zac is 7; Nick is 9. We have a dog,Sparky.

• In my spare time, I love to play soccer. I also love to read and am in a bookclub. (Do you have any book recommendations?)

• My favorite quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not anact but a habit."

—Aristotle

Alphabet Pyramid

OBJECTIVES

• To understand what it means to be a team member

• To discuss the challenges of maintaining a strong team when working virtually

Team Size

Any

Materials

Pen, paper, Alphabet Pyramids #1 and #2 and Scorecard (provided here, andavailable for download from virtualteambuildinggames.com)

Time

10 to 15 minutes

Technology

Online meeting software (with facilitator controlling the screen), conferencecall

Procedure

Split larger teams into smaller groups of four or five people, and if possible,have the same number of people in each group. Set up a separate conference callfor each group. This game is played in two rounds. Each person will need a paperand pen.

Round One

Tell them you are going to show them a pyramid that contains all the letters ofthe alphabet. Let them know you will keep the pyramid on the screen for 10seconds. While the pyramid is shown, their job is to memorize as many letters aspossible. They may not write while the pyramid is on the screen.

A special thank you to Laurie Frank of GOAL Consulting (Goalconsulting.org) forthis game.

Show Pyramid #1. After 10 seconds, blank out the screen and allow the teammembers to start writing down as many of the letters as they canremember—in the correct positions. When everyone is finished, revealPyramid #1 again so they can score their correct answers.

In their small groups, have them add up the number correct for each person anddivide the total for the group by the number of people in the group to get anaverage individual score. Generally you will see scores between 6 and 10 (thenumber could be a decimal). Write their scores in the first column on the teamscorecard.

Next, have each small group count how many they got correct as a group. Ifanyone in their group got a letter correct, they may count it, but each lettercan be counted only one time. Scores usually range between 12 and 16. Fill inthe scores in the second column on the team scorecard so everyone can see. Thisconcludes round one.

Round Two

Tell the groups that you are going to show them another pyramid of letters,similar to the first, but the letters will be in a different order. This time,they are allowed to plan together how they want to memorize the letters as ateam. Show them Pyramid #1 so they can plan. After two minutes of planning time,show them Pyramid #2 for 10 seconds. Blank out the screen and allow the groupsto write the letters they memorized. When they are finished writing, put Pyramid#2 on the screen so they can score the correct letters, counting the number theygot right as a group. Write these scores in the last column of your score sheet.You will usually see scores from 22 to 26.

For the discussion, put the discussion questions up on the screen and allow thesmall groups to discuss their experience for a few minutes before you open upthe discussion to the whole team.

Tips

If your conference call service allows, set the telephone so that participantscan all hear the facilitator and everyone in their small group. For the teamdiscussion, open the phone line so everyone can hear and participate.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the difference between working as an individual, a group, and ateam?

2. What makes a good team?

3. What are some challenges of a virtual team?

4. What can we do to overcome these challenges?

5. Please come up with three ideas our team can use to improve ourvirtual team.

GET IT ONLINE!

Alphabet Pyramids

Background Story

OBJECTIVES

• To get to know teammates better

• To build trust

Team Size

Up to 20

Materials

None

Time

10 to 15 minutes

Technology

Email, conference call

Procedure

Have team members email the game leader an interesting story from their past.The story can be work related or from one's personal life. The activity leaderthen copies all the stories into a single new email, taking care to remove anynames or other details that may give away the storyteller's identity. Encourageteam members to read each story prior to your next meeting. During your meeting,read one of the stories aloud and let the team guess or vote on whom the storybelongs to. After team members submit their guesses, have the author of thestory identify him- or herself. Do this for each of the stories. Stories can bevaried in nature, as long as they are work appropriate.

Tips

You can theme your team's stories based on this list:

• Your first job

• Most interesting job you ever had

• Worst job you ever had

• Most interesting project you've ever worked on

• Most successful project you've ever worked on

Discussion Questions

1. What similarities do you notice in our backgrounds?

2. What were some of the most surprising background stories?

3. What background stories apply to our current project or worktogether?

4. Are there any lessons learned from our background stories that we canapply to our project or work together?

Digital Grapefruit

OBJECTIVES

• To explore new ways to communicate

• To encourage the use of different types of technology

• To become proficient with different types of technology

Team Size

Any

Materials

A picture of a recognizable object, such as a grapefruit

Time

Minimal time over the course of a few days

Technology

The more, the better. The goal of this activity is for team members to use asmany different technologies as possible. This may include conference call,instant message, email, voicemail, fax, audio clip, or others.

Procedure

This activity is a virtual version of the party game Pass the Grapefruit. Justas in the party game, team members are passing an item from person to person. Inthis version, however, the item has been specified by the game leader orfacilitator and cannot be passed via the same method twice. This version alsoencourages friendly competition among and creativity in the members of yourteam.

1. The facilitator or game leader of this activity will select an object that iseasily recognizable by everyone on the team.

2. The facilitator will split the team into two or more groups who will competeagainst each other. When possible, have the same number of participants in eachgroup.

3. The leader will email everyone to let them know they are competing againstthe other groups to discover the greatest number of ways a concept can beelectronically passed throughout the group.

4. Once a team member has used a particular technology, that same technologycannot be reused by someone else in the group. Let each team know it is up tothem to track the technologies they have used. Remind them this is a competitionand the team that uses the most technologies wins.

Here is an example:

• The facilitator sends a picture of a sailboat to team member one.

• Team member one emails a photo of a sailboat to team member two.

• Team member two faxes the photo to team member three.

• Team member three finds a video of a sailboat and sends a link to team memberfour via instant messaging.

• Team member four finds an audio clip of a sailboat on the ocean and calls teammember five to share the link.

• Team member five opens a collaborative online tool and shares a sailboatpicture with team member six.

• Team member six emails the facilitator each of the methods used to pass theobject from each team member to the next.

• Once all groups have completed their task, the facilitator schedules aconference call to debrief the activity and allow team members to share theirideas.

Discussion Questions

1. Which technology was the first one to be used?

2. Which technology was the final one to be used?

3. Why was this one used last?

4. What was the most creative use of technology?

5. Did you work together as a team to identify the technologies youwould use or was it up to each team member?

6. Were there any technologies used that you would like to understandbetter?

7. Were there any technologies that you avoided using? Why?

Intro 140

OBJECTIVES

• To practice active listening skills

• To describe or introduce another team member

Team Size

Any; team members work with partners

Materials

None

Time

15 to 20 minutes

Technology

Phone; team website or online collaborative tool, conference call for debriefdiscussion

Procedure

Intro 140 is a (very) brief way to introduce team members to each other,patterned after Twitter's "140-character-or-less" messages. Before your teammeeting, assign each team member a partner and instruct him or her to call theirpartner for a one-on-one "get to know you" conversation prior to the next teammeeting. At the conclusion of their conversation, each team member writes a 140-character introduction for their partner. In your team conference call, eachperson will introduce their partner by reading their 140-character message.Messages can also be posted on your online collaborative document or teamwebsite after the meeting ends.

Variations

Have team members create 140-character messages that describe the team or a teamupdate.

Discussion Questions

1. How well did you listen to your partner?

2. How does "listening with purpose" affect the way we listen?

3. What does it take to listen effectively?

4. What can you do to improve your listening skills?

(Continues...)

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The big book of virtual team-building games by Mary Scannell. Copyright © 2012 by Mary Scannell, Michael Abrams, and Mike Mulvihill. Excerpted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0071774351
• ISBN 13: 9780071774352
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256