This is a SAMPLE OF A POSSIBLE PROGRAM (for an extended camp over) that has worked well with teams: The players are engaged in lots of fun challenges requiring teamwork skills in order to be successful, There are many analogies and metaphors specific to sports and life. For example one goal in life is to prepare our selves and teams to meet and deal with challenge pressure and frustration, with an increased ability to focus when we are distracted. Also the concept of "gradual continuous improvement and big picture perspective is important so we don't get down when we are in a slump. "The way we Think affects how we Feel, and the way we feel affects how we Perform." The emphasis is on Mental Preparation and Emotional Management. Building a team with a winning environment and no cliques is another emphasis Players will recognize and understand: that the greatest compliment is when someone says they are a Team Player, and how this affects their character and destiny. that they must prevent or rid their teams of cliques the eventual key to success is not just how hard they work individually, but how hard they work at working together Everyone contributes value and all roles must be appreciated they should look for win-win situations or outcomes to make each other look good - We are all in this together and no one can get there alone. the digital contract creates a winning environment based on positive encouragement and picking each other up, no blame games, respect, commitment and counting on and looking out for each other. everyone has leadership responsibility since everyone operates in a fish bowl where they need to lead by example - and leadership is a key element for success. we create our character we donʼt inherit it and your character becomes your destiny They will probably camp in a large community tent and meals and snack will be provided. Coaching staff will have other tents available. What to Bring: They only need to show up with a sleeping bag, but if some don't have a sleeping bag I will provide one. Also bathing suit, towel, personals like tooth paste, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses and rain gear in case. Plus some shoes they can wear in the river, which is very shallow and flat bottomed. In addition to the team building activities, there are some kayaks and if they want to bring a fishing rod they could use them during recreation time. For recreation times they can play beach volleyball, box hockey and other games 1
Sample Program: Day 1: Arrival, orientation to facilities, washrooms, game plan for camp, Set up (Lunch if arrive without having lunch) Introduction Possible powerpoint presentation with a clip showing the Flyers doing team building (to emphasize ʻbuy in ) and many key concepts and ideas. Icebreakers and Energizers - Fun, Relationship Building, introduction to some key concepts to be built on through progressions Small group challenges with analogies and metaphors related to efficient teamwork, trust building and communication, problem solving and leadership issues. Some Low Ropes course in late afternoon or evening Recreation Time Out Before or after BBQ supper Camp fire/ corn roast (if corn available) Night hike and solo sit - Pushing Comfort zones = Personal Growth Day 2: Breakfast Morning Energizers and team challenges More team challenges, problem solving, ridding the team of cliques, etc More low ropes and bigger challenges. BBQ Lunch Closure Activities - Team Debrief and presentations if we didnʼt do presentation the night before Closure: Team Debrief - "Lessons Learned" prior to departure. Refer to web site for goals and outcomes and a group in action 2
Why Team Building? Organized effective team building Speeds up the Process, in which players get to know and Count On Each Other, and are better prepared to Meet and Deal with Challenge, Pressure and Frustration, while maintaing their ability to Focus when Distracted. Great teams are built and need maintenance. Goal is to move from Good to Great and create a Real team not a Pseudo Teams Creates Foundation and Game Plans for success in sports, life and business. Creates Perspective and Social and Mental Tools for Challenge, Pressure, Frustration and Distractions as a team, as well as individually The eventual key to success is not only how hard you motivated players work individually, but rather how hard you work at working together - Become a Synergistic Team Major Reason for the Events: Become a truly Cohesive Synergistic Team; Fun and Energizing; Relationship and Connection Building; Problem- Solving; Community Building Skills; Improved Teamwork Skills; Avoid Cliques; Learn How to be Effective as a Team; Improved Trust Building. Build deeper Trusting Relationships in which people can count on each other and openly communicate, debate and voice opinions. This increases levels of Commitment to tasks and goals, Accountability and Attention to Detail. (Patrick Lencioniʼs Five Dysfunctions of Team ) Fit for Finals in four Dimensions Think - Feel - Perform- Mindsets and Awareness have a lot to do with it - ie MSU Manage our minds - we control our channel changers Perspective Pays... donʼt over react (respond vs over react) Gradual Continuous Improvement - At end of Day = Collectively Stronger + Closer Shared experiences make people stronger 3
Team Synergy Puzzle = Arrowheads/trees Great teams are more synergistic and can accomplish more and do more with less, once they get rid of MSU which is blinding or blocking them. Just like life how often is it that people think we donʼt have enough Time, Money, Resources, etc. What is our potential for Possibility and Capability Thinking? Key Concepts and Ideas on Team Building and Leadership Development ʻA Hands-On Approach!ʼ Major Reason for the Events: Become a truly Cohesive Synergistic Team; Fun and Energizing; Relationship and Connection Building; Problem- Solving; Community Building Skills; Improved Teamwork Skills; Avoid Cliques; Learn How to be Effective as a Team; Improved Trust Building. Build deeper Trusting Relationships in which people can count on each other and openly communicate, debate and voice opinions. This increases levels of Commitment to tasks and goals, Accountability and Attention to Detail. (Patrick Lencioniʼs Five Dysfunctions of Team ) Why Team Building? Because today s Innovative Executives are Coach Managers managing their businesses like a head coach. Both play to win and the lessons are the same. The eventual key to success is not only how hard each individual works, but how hard they work at working together. We want to create an organization where people want to be! (Roger Neilson - Order of Canada, NHL Hall of Fame) Shared experiences make people strong! (Lance Armstrong - 7 times Tour de France Champion) It is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit! (John Wooden NCAA BB ) There is incredible power and fun created when everyone works together to overcome a challenge or achieve a goal! (Larryland Adventures) 4
There is a need to create a Winning Environment where Everyone feels Connected and Supported, and Appreciated for their Role and Contribution. Why invest time and resources? Great teams don t happen by accident - they are built! Team assessment and team building are necessary investments because every team needs constant work or maintenance. Teamwork brings competitive advantages. Participating in engaging challenging activities, which occur away from the school, sports venues, office, etc, enhances team chemistry, teamwork skills and performance factors. Ridding your teams of cliques and creating Team Players generates greater individual contribution and sense of community belonging. The Synergy generated by a team all working together toward the same end point generates far more power than the sum of all the individuals on the team. Team Building is a social and emotional process, in which team building activities, with game plans for success in life, speeds up the process of community building by creating trusting, solid relationships and team work. Team members need to know they can count on each other. Strive to bring about cohesiveness within a team culture based on collective effort, rather than individualism, by taking charge of building a positive environment and opportunity to grow. Avoid players playing for themselves. 5
KEY GOALS, CONCEPTS and PROGRESSIONS for Team Building and Leadership Development: 1. Get going and build momentum 2. Set short and long term goals towards the vision of success 3. Utilize skill sets and resources to achieve goals 4. Get everyone on the same page with the same vision 5. Continue to build team identity, team chemistry and sense of belonging and community 6. British Lions rid this team of cliques 7. Build a sense of trust and support for team members since this is the foundation for any team or relationship Individuals within the group need to develop a sense of trust in which they can express their ideas without fearing negative reactions, and trust that they can attempt challenging activities while receiving emotional and physical support. Then they realize they can do more than they thought they were capable of. They recognize that things are never as negative as they may think they are going to be. 8. Prepare to meet and deal with challenges, pressure and frustration 9. Develop ability to focus and avoid distractions Develop game plans and utilize a lot of team work skills to be successful Get maximum individual contribution to the team Hopefully we ll get energized and this will be your start to building your team chemistry. Appreciate that it is important to develop a Big Picture Perspective. Perspective is facing challenges and not over-reacting, and how we look at something affects how we see it. Perspective should be based on the idea that everything is based on Gradual Continuous Improvement. Build a sense of community and belonging where everyone feels connected, supported and appreciated for their roles, skill-sets and contributions. Productivity, engagement and retention improves as a person feels a sense of connection to friends in the workplace. Personal Growth and Development occurs through Pushing Our Comfort Zones. When uncertainty knocks, everyone has different Comfort Zones. We live in a Comfort Zone Bubble and we choose to withdraw into the bubble where we are physically and emotionally safe or we go to the edge of the bubble and face the unknown outcomes. Research says that most of our personal growth and development occurs when we push the edge of our comfort zone bubble. 6
Team Details: Number of vets and rookies Team History - last season, etc Strengths and weaknesses of team Anticipated challenges Any issues or potential issues such as cliques, individualism, discipline, etc Team goals This years schedule - toughest opponents, Is this a rebuilding year of team/organization in transition? Number of players and staff attending Any other details I can use in analogies and metaphors Other Details: Any food allergies or medical conditions? What to Bring: Sleeping bag (let me know if they donʼt have one so I can have one ready) Bathing suit and towel and some river shoes for playing in the shallow rock bottom river if weather permits. Plus there are some kayaks, nets etc. Rain Gear Flashlight Fishing Rod optional for rec time Personals = toothbrush, sunscreen, bug repellant Why is a Hands on Approach the best approach? Tell Me, And I Will Forget; AUDITORY Show Me, And I May Remember; Involve Me, And I Will Understand... A.E.E. VISUAL KINESTHETIC As the bottom gets number, the brain gets dumber! (Dr Marcia Tate) 7