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Communication is the Key!
Duration: 2 hours + debrief
Participants: 6-12 (two teams of 3-6 per team)
Who: Staff at any level
PC required: Only one pc (or laptop) required. Printer optional.
Price:
£495.00
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Two teams and a strange task elegantly highlights the basic rules for ensuring good communication at work.
Two teams plan two similar tasks. But it’s all too easy to make wrong assumptions and that’s exactly what happens in this activity. With a laptop between the teams for rapid email communication and regular meetings things should go really well. But they don’t!
While you score points for collecting water the other team scores for collecting bottles (and pours away your valuable water). You need to be absolutely clear about your objectives and to find out theirs. Ultimately the computer provides a score and assessment - plus a (revealing) transcript of all communications.
In this revised edition you can run sessions without the need for a printer, giving you more flexibility of use. (You will always need a PC or laptop.)
Two teams plan two similar tasks. But it’s all too easy to make wrong assumptions and that’s exactly what happens in this activity. With a laptop between the teams for rapid email communication and regular meetings things should go really well. But they don’t!
While you score points for collecting water the other team scores for collecting bottles (and pours away your valuable water). You need to be absolutely clear about your objectives and to find out theirs. Ultimately the computer provides a score and assessment - plus a (revealing) transcript of all communications.
In this revised edition you can run sessions without the need for a printer, giving you more flexibility of use. (You will always need a PC or laptop.)
- to listen more actively than normal
- not to read assumptions into communications
- to plan communications and to choose the right medium of communication
- the need for written communications to be clear and unambiguous
- the importance of face-to-face meetings to maintain relationships
- the importance of putting yourself in the other person’s shoes
- Divide the group into two and place a computer and printer between them.
- Explain the task in general terms and the mechanics of using the computer.
- Issue teams with their Briefs and maps.
- Observe teams at work and stand by to arrange and oversee the meetings where only one member from each team can speak although all team members may attend.
- Hold a Debrief (where many teams are amazed to learn what the other team’s task was). All misunderstandings are revealed and the lessons can be related to real examples from the workplace.
Paul Stubbs, Davis LangdonUsed as part of the Communication Session on a Managers’ Skills Course with junior managers. The best learning points were: do not assume anything, life is not a competition, need to share more.
A very good team exercise that highlights all the problems we have communicating with each other.
Malcolm Archer, BAE SystemsUsed as part of a 'Communications Skills' course for BAE Systems. The best learning points were: sharing as much information 'up front' as possible, avoid making assumptions, ask more questions.
Useful, fun and good for use in areas of communication and team-working.
H. Langhammer, Aspire ConsultingThe learning from Communication is the Key is virtually limitless and I always find it great fun to run.
K. Duthie, Clare Fletcher Training LtdA great success! What can I say - you came up trumps again! Thanks Northgate.
- Astrazeneca
- Homebase Ltd
- Hyatt International USA
- Rentokil Initial
- Kingfisher Housing Association
- Leicestershire & Rutland Healthcare Trust
- RBJ Mining
- Scientific Research Council
- Southampton Institute
- Leicester City Council
- Trainer’s Notes
- CD ROM containing Computer Program and PowerPoint Presentation
- Team One Briefing Folder
- Team Two Briefing Folder
- Maps
- Planning Forms
- Felt Pen Sets
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