What is Game Theory?
Game Theory is a mathematical concept that was made popular by actor, Russell Crowe, in the hit film “A Beautiful Mind” that was screened in 2002. So what exactly is Game Theory?
Game Theory can be defined as a means of analyzing strategic actions that, more often than not, result from the consideration of the expected behaviour of others.
Continue reading “Using Game Theory in Teams”
Our film industry is not just about masala and dancing around trees, there have been some movies that have been really inspirational and one movie that truly inspired me in many ways is Chak de India.
Its a movie on how an Indian women hockey team, a team that exists more on paper and less in reality, goes on to win a world cup against all odds. These 16 girls initially believed to be “chakla balen chale wale ladkiya” finaly win the world cup thanks to their hardwork and coach Kabir Khan’s mentoring and guidance.
Continue reading “Lessons From Chak De India!”
Team building has been much maligned in the HR community for a multitude of reasons, the main being lack of measurable ROI. So do team building workshops really work or is just good money down the proverbial drain? To answer this, let us start by looking at how team building workshops are normally organized. In a lot of organizations, team building is considered as a “Fun Day”, where you can let your hair down and act like a kid. For many off-sites spread over multiple days, it takes on the role of gap filler more than a developmental activity. If the manner of execution for team building is similar to what is described above, then it is very likely that the team does not move forward an inch in their development. There needs to be a clear distinction between “Fun Day” and Team Building. While a fun day might be a good way to recharge drained batteries with en element of humor and fun, team building should be undertaken for a clear set of definable objectives. For the time being let us assume that we manage to do that part of program design and execution well; your team has done a great team building workshop where they had fun and also touched upon some of the developmental areas which needed to be worked on. What next for the team?
Continue reading “5 Things to do after a team building program!”
What exactly can a team building workshop achieve? In the most ideal of situations – can a group of people who don’t really feel like a team, go back from the program feeling bonded like buddies?
The answer is a categorical NO. The biggest paradigm that you need to understand is that “Team building” is not an “activity”. It is a “process”. Hence depending on where the team currently is in its state of development in the Tuckman model, an ideal team building program can ensure that it moves along further ahead towards becoming a performing team.
Continue reading “10 Steps to get your team building program going”
There is something about sitting around in a close huddle and swapping stories that makes people bond together like nothing else does. This is also one of the best ways I know of to get the hidden area we talked about in our previous post on the Johari window, to be reduced significantly.
Continue reading “The Power of a Huddle”
One of the most effective models that can be used to improve understanding between individuals within a team or between different teams in organisations is the Johari Window.
Developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham (the word “Johari” comes from Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham), there are two key ideas behind the tool:
The four stages of team forming is an evergreen model used by countless facilitators who conduct teambuilding or leadership related workshops. Frequently, though – it is just touched upon in a very superficial way. The model though holds great substance and relevance while conducting experiential team building activities.
Continue reading “Tuckmans Team Development Model”
“Even if you are not busy, you need to show that you are busy”. Does this piece of advise sound familiar to you? Do you rush around every day from meetings to meetings, furiously pecking away at your Blackberry or cell phones? Are you one of those who cannot wait for the plane to land before you put on your cell phone again and start calling back all your missed calls? Do you have an incorrigible need for checking your mails – even late at night and then on weekends too? Welcome to the world of Adrenaline Addiction.
Continue reading “Is Adrenaline Addiction affecting you & your team?”
This is a popular activity used for showcasing situational leadership, communication under pressure, trust etc. In brief, the situational leadership activity is done as below.
Source: shutterstock
Equipment needed: Teams of 3 people each, 50 paper cups per teams, tables/work areas, open space so that teams can work without disturbing each other.
Continue reading “The Blind Man’s Tower : A Game Of Situational Awareness”
Here is a very interesting outdoor team bonding exercise for you to try.
This activity is inspired by the quote: “Commit random kindness and senseless acts of beauty”. The Challenge is – can you do that as a mission?
Continue reading “Amazing Race with a twist”
