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Working together as a team
Imagine you are on an island the tide is coming in fast. You and your team have to get to the other side to reach dry land. You have a number of rocks (paper plates), explain that if they step on these they will be safe. (Give each team about 1/3 the number of plates as people.) The group must figure out how to get the entire group from point A to point B (both marked by scotch tape on the floor), from one side to the other. Only one person can be on a ‘rock’ at a time, and the ‘rocks’ may be picked up and moved.
The key to the game is that only part of the team will be able to cross at a time and one person will need to work their way back across the field to help the rest of the team across. A time limit can also be placed on this game.
Who influences you?
Imagine you were on board a ship that was wrecked on a desert island. Washed ashore with only 5 belongings. What would they be?
Then in small groups discuss what they collectively should keep (of their personal possessions) and why. Talk about:
- Who and what influenced their decision? Did their list change from before the small group discussion to the list they are now keeping?
- What did you want to keep before you discussed your belongings?
- Who did you listen to, take notice of and why?
- Were you persuaded by someone?
- When you make a decision, in real life who do you listen to and why?
Achieving a win-win solution
To stop conflicts by using the following steps
STOP: Find out the problem. Use ‘I’ statements: ‘I felt…… when you ……… because………’
THINK: How is the other person feeling? Attack the problem, not the person.
LISTEN: To each others explanations, if not immediately then arrange a time and a place later.
DECIDE: Discuss possible solutions and agree one. Remember! We are each responsible for what we say and what we do.