A framework for creating team-building training for employees

Contents:

• Practical exercises in negotiation skills
• Methods for achieving mutual understanding through exercises
• Developing coordination through exercises in professional activities
• Training methods for a successful outcome
• Application of the FRAMED model to develop team exercises
• Methods for evaluating the results of physical training
• Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of physical exercises in terms of business metrics

If your team has just formed, there are new faces in it, or the productivity of employees leaves If there is much to be desired, training sessions with team tasks are an excellent solution. According to Jeffrey Strauss, CIO of Docker, such events have a positive impact at various stages of group development, but are especially important at the normalization stage, according to the Tuckman model of group dynamics. To clarify, reaching this stage indicates that participants have already overcome initial conflicts, and now they need to establish their internal norms and rules, improve communication, build trust, and learn to work as a team. Strauss identifies four key areas in which exercises can be conducted to increase team productivity: negotiation, agreement-building, coordination, and goal achievement. In a publication on the Chief Learning Officer platform, the specialist outlined various types of exercises, presented a structure for their creation and integration into training programs with specific scenarios, and also shared methods for evaluating the results of their application. Let's look at the main ideas.

Negotiation Skills Practice

The main idea is that each of us has our own unique desires. Let's try to join forces and co-create something meaningful.

As Strauss notes, negotiation skill is important not only in the context of communicating with clients, but also within the framework of internal team interactions. It is necessary for agreeing on priorities, establishing rules, planning taking into account different points of view, as well as for delegating responsibilities on projects and other aspects of work.

Negotiation practice helps employees develop such important skills as the ability to persuade, master both verbal and non-verbal cues, especially in the context of face-to-face communication. In addition, it helps them learn to reach compromises, formulate their proposals and respond adequately to them. With the help of these exercises, the team can improve its communication, make it more transparent and productive, develop empathy and creative thinking skills. They also learn to effectively resolve conflicts, manage group dynamics, and make decisions under stress and uncertainty.

Read also:

Example: Methodology for training employees in the art of negotiation using online tournaments.

Similar types of tasks These typically involve both individual goals for each participant and a shared goal for the entire team. Participants must discuss their intentions and find a solution that will achieve both shared and personal goals.

Methods for Achieving Mutual Understanding Through Exercises

The main idea is that we need to pay attention to each other's opinions and come to a common solution together.

This type of exercise is largely similar to the previous one, but its main goal is to develop the skill of formulating a common solution to a problem through respectful and balanced discussion.

Agreement-building exercises emphasize equal participation by all participants, the ability to listen carefully to each other, and avoid interrupting and suppressing opinions. They promote a culture of mutual respect, even when disagreements arise. During the work, team members develop critical thinking, learn to clearly formulate their views and adjust them in the light of new information, and analyze problems from different perspectives.

To achieve high effectiveness in the exercises, equal contribution of all team members is necessary, as well as joint decision-making that takes into account the opinions and arguments of each group member.

Developing Coordination through Exercises in Professional Activity

Key Idea: "Each of us has a share in solving the problem, and only by combining our efforts can we achieve success."

Coordination plays a key role in effective teamwork. Improving this aspect implies clearer and more focused interaction, the development of a systematic approach to problem solving, and the ability of participants to harmoniously coordinate their actions. It's important for understanding and trust to reign within the team, and for each member to recognize their responsibility for the overall success. Coordination exercises have a unique characteristic: participants are given different pieces of information or resources that they must combine to solve a given problem. These activities are often compared to puzzles, as no single participant can successfully complete the task alone. If even one team member does not actively participate, it will negatively impact the team's final result.

Read also:

Effective communication management in a project is a key aspect that can prevent its failure. In this guide, we'll cover the key steps and principles that will help you improve collaboration within your team and with stakeholders.

The first step is to determine who exactly will be involved in communications. It is necessary to find out who the key project participants are and define their roles and responsibilities. This will help avoid confusion and misunderstandings.

Next, you should develop a communication strategy. Determine how often and in what ways information will be exchanged. This can range from regular meetings to the use of digital collaboration tools. It is important that all project participants are aware of the current state of affairs and can promptly respond to changes.

Documentation is also worth paying attention to. All important decisions and discussions should be recorded so that they can be referred to at any time. This will create transparency and help avoid misunderstandings.

Creating an open atmosphere for the exchange of opinions is equally important. Team members should feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns. This can significantly increase engagement and productivity.

Regular analysis of communication processes also plays a key role. Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of established communication methods and make adjustments as needed. This will allow you to adapt to changing conditions and maintain a high level of engagement.

Finally, don't forget the importance of feedback. Regularly solicit participants' feedback on how communication is going and use the data to improve processes. This will help create a more harmonious and productive working atmosphere.

By following these recommendations, you can significantly improve communication management in the project and minimize the risks of its failure.

Training Methods for Successful Results

The main idea is that we are able to combine our individual talents and opinions to achieve success.

Jeffrey Strauss considers these exercises one of the most effective ways to build a team, as they simulate real joint work focused on achieving a specific result - the creation of a product, be it a presentation, plan or prototype. If group members cannot establish interaction, then success will be unattainable.

Typically, such practices cover all the stages necessary for effective collaboration on projects: from analysis and decision-making to planning, task implementation and time management. The main goal is that upon completion of the exercise, participants will be able to evaluate both the process itself and its results. They will have the opportunity to analyze how their decisions affected the final product, as well as identify moments when they encountered difficulties or were distracted from the main goal.

Read also:

Project-based learning is a method of the educational process in which students work on a specific project, which allows them to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. This approach promotes the development of critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork skills.

This form of learning is actively used in various educational institutions, including schools and universities, as well as in corporate training and professional development courses. As part of project-based learning, participants can engage in research work, product development, or solving specific problems, which makes the learning process more engaging and relevant.

Application of the FRAMED Model for Designing Team Exercises

In the process of creating the exercises mentioned earlier, Jeffrey Strauss applies a methodology known as FRAMED. This acronym is made up of the first letters of the names of the elements included in this model:

• Formation
• Alignment
• Alignment is an important concept that implies compliance between different elements or aspects. This can concern both personal values ​​and goals and wider systems such as organizations or communities. Alignment plays a key role in achieving effective interaction and harmony, whether in an individual or collective context. It helps ensure that actions and decisions are consistent with established principles and expectations, which in turn promotes better understanding and cooperation.
• Mapping
• Execution
• Debriefing is the process of analyzing and discussing past events or actions. This stage allows participants to evaluate the results, identify lessons learned from the experience, and discuss what can be improved in the future. During the debriefing, it is important to focus on both positive and negative aspects in order to create a complete picture of what happened and ensure more effective work in the future.

As each element is developed, the exercise specialist must address an important question.

What current real-life problem should this exercise reflect? The answer to this question forms the main idea of ​​the scenario and establishes the principles of interaction between the participants.

• Negotiations are based on the self-interest of the parties, which concern the distribution of resources, determination of prices, or differences in priorities. In this process, each participant has the opportunity to both benefit and suffer losses.
• To reach agreement, the team will have to resolve an issue related to an ambiguous situation or a moral dilemma. This may concern, for example, the distribution of limited resources or the formation of fair rules. Participants must discuss these issues together to come to a common opinion and achieve consensus.
• Coordination: The task for participants simulates the process of working on a project in a team with different functional areas or responding to a crisis, where the final result depends on the participation of each group member.
• The result is achieved through simulating project activities: the group must create a specific product, acting under conditions of limited resources and within the established time limit.

The essence of this element is to explore the positions taken by the participants, their goals, as well as the advantages and limitations they face.

• In the negotiation process, each participant is assigned a specific role, which includes a clearly defined goal, individual tools for achieving it, and established constraints. Competition between the roles of the participants will facilitate the search for innovative solutions when concluding agreements.
• Agreement-building implies the presence of different roles among participants, defined by their values, opinions, or expectations regarding the end result. These roles should not be antagonistic, but it is important that the participants hold different points of view that the team must harmonize.
• Coordination implies that each team member possesses a unique element of information, a certain skill, or a specialized tool. For the successful completion of the task, it is important that everyone contributes to the overall process.
• To achieve the set goals, participants assume different roles, each with unique strengths and limitations. Each of these roles can influence the final outcome. The effectiveness of teamwork determines whether it will lead to synergy or, conversely, stagnation.

The key question is: what common goal should the team pursue?

• In the negotiation process, the key is not achieving dominance over opponents, but rather striving to form a fair and lasting agreement. This must be clearly communicated to all participants, emphasizing that failure to reach a common agreement will ultimately harm the entire team.
• Achieving consensus implies a similar goal, but with an emphasis on ensuring that the agreement reached satisfies every member of the group. In this context, it is important for the team not only to formally formalize agreement, but also to explain how the decision taken reflects the opinions and positions of all participants.

• Coordination involves pooling the personal resources of each group member to identify the single correct or best solution to a given problem.
• The result is achieved through the team's collaboration, which develops a product that meets established criteria and then demonstrates it.

The main question is: what narrative line, background, and sequence of events will you use in your scenario?

• During the negotiation process, it is important to clearly define the roles of all parties involved, their desires, and potential risks. It would be a good idea to add a brief backstory to emphasize the conflict between roles and make the motivation of each participant more transparent to everyone.
• To reach agreement, it is necessary to create a situation that is sufficiently complex and ambiguous, since the lack of an obvious solution will allow participants to initially have different opinions. Only a joint effort can lead to the development of a common agreement.
• Coordination: The basis of this scenario is a single goal, to achieve which it is necessary to use the knowledge and resources of all team members.
• To achieve the stated goal, a scenario is needed that is clearly focused on a common task and requires team members to use both a strategic and creative approach to decision-making.

What restrictions can be introduced during the task to make it more engaging and create certain difficulties for the participants?

• In order to make the negotiation process more dynamic and increase the level of tension, a number of techniques can be used. In particular, it is worth setting time limits, which will create an element of haste. You can also increase competition between participants by giving each role special significance. Finally, dividing the game into rounds will help structure the process and add new aspects of interaction.
• To achieve consensus, it is possible to set a ban on voting so that the agreement reached reflects the opinion of all participants, and not just the majority. It is also possible to introduce an unexpected obstacle into the process that participants will have to face while searching for a solution.
• Coordination of the process will be difficult due to restrictions on communication methods, established time frames, and increased risks for the group if one of the participants does not demonstrate adequate engagement in the joint activity.
• To achieve the set goals, it is important to take into account time and resource constraints, as well as adhere to the established format for presenting the project. In addition, it is useful to define the role of the customer, who can provide constructive feedback.

The main question is what lessons the team has learned and what the participants realized about themselves and their colleagues. Jeffrey Strauss highlights this aspect as one of the most significant and urges not to overlook it. At the closing stage, it is important to organize a process of reflection and discussion of the team's experience, asking guiding questions to the participants.

• During the negotiation process, the final outcome was significantly influenced by the participation of various people, their personal biases, and their ability to find compromises. Some participants were able to firmly defend their interests, while others may have given in too early, without waiting for more favorable terms.
• Success in reaching agreement: were all voices taken into account? Did disagreements facilitate the optimal decision-making process or, on the contrary, become an obstacle along the way?
• Coordination: did all team members contribute? Which aspects of interaction were ineffective, and what, on the contrary, produced good results?
• How was the team able to achieve its goals while adhering to existing constraints? Which factors contributed to a successful creative process, and which, on the contrary, negatively impacted it? What aspects would you repeat in the future, and what, in your opinion, should be worked on differently?

Read also:

Reflection in the Educational Process: Why It's Important and How to Implement It Effectively

Reflection plays a key role in learning, allowing students to reflect on their acquired knowledge and experiences. It not only helps deepen understanding of the material but also develops critical thinking, promotes self-awareness, and fosters personal growth. Through reflective practices, students can evaluate their achievements, identify weaknesses, and identify areas for improvement.

To effectively organize the reflection process, it is necessary to create an appropriate environment in which students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. This can be done through group discussions, written assignments, or individual conversations. It is important to ask open-ended questions that encourage reflection and to provide time for reflection and analysis.

Using various techniques, such as journaling, creating a portfolio, or using technology, can significantly enrich the reflective process. The key is to regularly engage in reflection, which helps reinforce self-analysis skills and improve academic performance.

Methods for Assessing the Results of Physical Training

In order to assess the impact of a team exercise and observe changes in team member behavior over time, Jeffrey Strauss recommends conducting assessments both before and after the training. The author identifies the following as useful approaches for this purpose:

• self-assessment - for example, using a Likert scale (where participants indicate the degree of their agreement or disagreement with the proposed statements) or in a free-flow format, in the form of a story about personal experiences at work;
• 360-degree assessment, which is based on a survey of both managers and colleagues working with participants;
• criteria-based assessment provided by the trainer or facilitator who conducted the exercise;
• anonymous survey of group members.

The author suggests adding open-ended questions to questionnaires intended for participants, which will allow for more detailed feedback. Strauss also illustrates this with sample Likert-scale self-assessment statements that address various teamwork skills (see table below).

Examples of statements you can use to rate yourself on a Likert scale.

The assessment should be completed immediately before the training, then immediately after its completion, and also after 6-8 weeks in order to assess the extent to which the changes have been consolidated and how the new skills are applied in professional activities.

Methods for Assessing the Effectiveness of Physical Exercises in Terms of Business Metrics

In order to confirm the usefulness and effectiveness of training and development (L&D) programs, it is necessary to establish a link between employee achievements and key business indicators.

Jeffrey Strauss offers an example of formulating objectives and key results using the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) methodology.

The task is in improving the efficiency of interaction between different functions and optimizing decision-making processes in teams.

Key results:

• Accelerate the execution of cross-functional projects by increasing the speed of implementation from X to Y.
• Reduce the average duration of decision processing at project meetings by X%.
• Achieve a level of X% satisfaction in the results of surveys conducted after meetings in each of the teams.
• Increase the level of psychological safety in teams by X%.

In addition, in order to synchronize employee training with corporate goals, key performance indicators (KPIs) can be used:

Another approach is to associate the skills that employees have developed with specific achievements in their work activities.

Competency: collective decision-making under time constraints (exercise to find common ground).

Changes in communication style: accelerating the approval process during Project meetings.

The result was a reduction in project completion time by two weeks.

In the final section of his article, Jeffrey Strauss emphasizes that the proposed team assignments are not only an interesting pastime but also an important process for mastering core skills that directly impact team effectiveness. By immersing themselves in game scenarios that reflect real-life professional challenges, participants develop communication skills, build trust, and learn to share responsibility. By carefully and strategically implementing these exercises, you can expect significant improvements in results.