Team Squared

The group sits around a table with defined individual work areas and a shared space in the center. Colorful plastic pieces in different shapes are clustered in the center and each participant must use three of the shapes to make a square. They are not allowed to speak or reach into another person’s work area; only the center can be used to take pieces out, put them back or to push pieces toward another person.

Some participants are able to form a square very quickly, but what they don’t realize is that they are using parts that others need. While there are many different ways to put a square together, there is only one way for everyone to put a square together at the same time. This means some participants will have to break up their already completed squares and share their pieces with others. The message is clear: if the group is to succeed, all members must prioritize the group’s goal over their own.

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Team Development

• Use it for cooperating, communicating nonverbally, sharing resources and responsibility

Project Management

Use it for drawing on resources, seeing a challenge through to completion, experiencing the need for individuals to contribute

Systems Thinking

Use it for seeing the whole, sacrificing personal gain to achieve a group goal, looking for patterns

Performance Improvement

Use it for focusing on goals or learning and adapting to make progress

Collaboration

• Use it for coordinating actions, cooperating and sharing responsibility

Icebreaker

Use it for breaking down silos right from the start