Training Topics

PRACTICE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

These workplace scenarios, developed by Trainers Warehouse, address common categories of workplace dissonance. Each includes one or more roleplays that ask participants to consider their strategy in addressing a sticky situation. Each is an opportunity to either build or erode trust, which is key to effective working relationships.

BROAD RANGE OF TOPICS

The 18 scenarios contained in this deck cover a broad range of topics. As players practice, observers and facilitators can help identify successful approaches and outcomes. There are no “right answers.” The goal is simply to practice having difficult conversations in ways that build trust. Find roleplays that explore these four areas:

1. Conflict Resolution: Addressing differences and misunderstandings. Managing conflicts between team members or dealing with disputes within the team can be challenging. Successful outcomes require players to address issues tactfully, mediate disagreements, see things from diverse perspectives, and find solutions that maintain a cooperative work environment.
2. Performance Issues and Giving difficult feedback. Addressing performance issues like poor productivity, missed deadlines, or quality concerns, is a common challenge for managers. Give them an opportunity to practice giving constructive feedback, setting performance expectations, and developing improvement plans. Successful roleplays will consist of delivering difficult messages, providing feedback that’s specific and actionable, improving communication, and preserving relationships.
3. Sharing feedback and facilitating tough conversations within teams. Peer feedback is a valuable tool for professional development and collaboration. Feedback scenarios focus on giving specific, constructive, and supportive input about an individual's or team's growth and development. Productive conversations should foster a culture of collaboration and understanding within the workplace.
4. Leadership: managing change, crises, and growth (multi-person role-plays). Effective leadership can help motivate excellent work, create a positive organizational culture, and inspire action. Practicing multi-person scenarios will help leaders navigate challenges, guide teams, build alignment, and make decisions. Judge your success based on whether constituents feel heard, and everyone understands the way forward, with minimal stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

24-CARD DECK CONTAINS SCENARIOS AND FACILITATION TIPS!

Work-Plays deck (4" x 6") contains these 24 cards:

• 18 scenarios
• 1 Overview/cover card
• 1 Learning Objectives
• 1 Listing of 18 scenarios
• 1 Facilitation Suggestions
• 1 Example scenario
• 1 Debrief Suggestions

The deck comes in a beautifully designed box. The cards are a hefty 330 gsm, so they won't wear out!

NO RIGHT ANSWERS

Remind players that there are no "right answers." Rather these provide an opportunity to practice difficult conversations in a safe space. While you're players may not experience these exact situations in their workplace, they will raise familiar issues. Often, practicing with cases that don't strike too close to home is easier because it allows players to take some chances and try out new techniques to apply to more "real life" situations.

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS

TIPS TO MAKE BEST USE OF SCENARIOS

1. Choose a role play scenario.
2. Select which conversation you’d like to practice.
3. Decide to conduct a one-on-one or multi-player roleplay.
4. Decide if role players will practice privately or in front of a small group.
5. Read the scenario to the group and/or distribute the situation to roleplaying participants.
6. Remind players: “There are no right answers. The exercise is about getting practice and discovering effective techniques.”
7. Select “observers” to help identify effective or problematic approaches.

FRONT-OF-ROOM FACILITATION TIPS

If you choose to demo difficult conversations in front of the room, keep these tips in mind:

• • Explain that participants will take turns having these difficult conversations. Let them know that you plan to stop and start frequently, so the group can discuss techniques that are effective and/or phraseology that inhibits productive dialogue.
  • Let participants who are playing the “difficult person” know they can ham it up as much as they want, but if an argument is compelling, they should respond positively.
  • Change role players frequently. Invite observers to raise a hand if they have an approach they’d like to try. Invite role-players to raise a hand if they’d like a “reliever” to step in.

Energize a Webinar, Remote Learning Session, or Online Meeting with UNZiP-it! Remote. Even if you aren't face to face, make it fun to pick a question and get conversations rolling. Read the poem and pick a question:

Feeling shy about speaking out?
Or, not sure what to talk about?
It's easy now to start the flow,
And have discussions bloom and grow.

Click the button below to pick a topic,
Big and broad, or microscopic,
A prompt that doesn't dig too deep,
Or one that makes you take a leap.

Go ahead, just press to pick it,
Read the prompt and then UNZiP-it!

VERSATILE DIVERSITY-EQUITY & INCLUSION PROMPTS include...

The Diversity prompts tackle a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. Conversations about diversity and bias can be emotionally charged. The goal is to share experiences of feeling different or excluded and identify ways to create a more welcoming, diverse and compassionate community.

• Identity - share aspects of your identity that affect your life
• Experiences - discuss times you felt belonging, targetted, micro-agression, etc.
• Our community - consider organizational initiatives to promote inclusion
• Us vs Them thinking - identify allies who are alike or different from yourself
• Privilege and Power - explore concepts of power dynamics, privilege, and oppression
• DEI Today - discuss current dynamics that influence people's participation in DEI efforts

PRESENTATION FORMAT

The PowerPoint file is saved as a "pptm" file, containing a Macro. Once you enable the content, the UNZiP-it! Button will select a random discussion prompt.

This is a downloadable product. After you've placed your order, you will be given a link where you can download the file or you can log into your account and download the file.

Gain Awareness of Personal Strengths

Based on theories of psychologist William Marston, the HRD Press DISCStyles assessment helps organizations understand how behaviors impact the success of their employees--and their bottom line -- and improve communication and conflict resolution skills.

PRODUCT BENEFITS

• Gain awareness of personal strengths and motivations
• Uncover career development opportunities
• Improve methods for interpersonal communication
• Enhance conflict resolution ability
• Create 360-degree feedback for your leaders
• Build and strengthen teams
• Improve professional relationships internally and externally

SAMPLE TOPICS

• Your Behavioral Style Tendencies, Strengths, and Struggles
• Your Management Strategies and What Motivates You
• Your Communication Preferences
• About the Four Basic DISC styles
• How to Identify Another Person's Style
• How to Use Adaptability for Greater Success

Each assessment includes a score sheet. The scoring can be completed by the test-taker or by a facilitator or HR representative. The booklet describes all the potential style combinations that correlate with the the scores.
Once the assessment has been completed, the test-taker has access to information about their particular profile characteristics in many environments -- at work, socially, under stress, etc. -- and review strategies for increasing personal effectiveness.

The package include 5 paper assessments/scoring bookets.

We've selected six Silver Series Thumballs (with more than 150 discussion topics) to spark conversations around health and wellness. This unique set of discussion starters will enhance physical, emotional, and social well-being.

IMPROVING EMPLOYEE HEALTH & WELLNESS

A common concept often mentioned in the context of health, employee wellness is a multi-faceted, active process culminating in a more successful and fulfilling life. Most organizations have jumped on the bandwagon, understanding that by valuing employee wellness, they'll also see a positive impact on happiness at work, a reduction in turnover, and improvement in their bottom-line results.

Each Silver Series Thumball (6" stuffed vinyl ball) looks like a cool soccer ball but is pre-printed with 32 questions/discussion prompts. With this Wellness Thumball Set, facilitators and managers can help their groups explore and discuss all nine dimensions of wellness:

1. Physical
2. Emotional/Psychological
3. Social
4. Intellectual/Cognitive
5. Spiritual
6. Occupational
7. Environmental
8. Economic
9. Cultural

INSIDE THE WELLNESS SET

These six thematic Thumballs make it easy to talk about Wellness in a fun and casual way. Choose a ball that will help stir up simple conversation or develop deeper understanding about the world around you. The balls are super easy to use! Just toss it to another player and ask the recipient to look under their thumb and respond to the prompt. The Silver Series Thumballs in the Wellness set include:

• Stress Management Thumball provides 32 discussion prompts, to be able to explore the causes of stress and various ways to manage its impact on your team members.
• Get Happy at Work Thumball prompts help create a more positive workplace by allowing colleagues to share goals, discuss challenges, and build relationships.
• Developing Resilience Thumball focuses on resilience - moving beyond current challenges, toward future opportunities.
• Change Management Thumball (formerly "Onward & Upward") allows you to move beyond current challenges, toward future opportunities and is geared toward anyone going through a change in their life.
• Emotional Intelligence Thumball develops your teams’ EQ by facilitating conversations that help participants grow more aware of their motivations, measure their reactions to difficult situations, and hone techniques to manage those emotions.
• Get Movin' Thumball is designed to give groups the energy breaks they need after sitting still for a while. It's perfect to get the blood flowing, re-energize, and re-focus during meetings and training events.

The Trainers Warehouse Wellness Thumball Set is conveniently packaged in a large mesh bag, which allows facilitators to carry them around comfortably and stay organized. It is suited for adults and teens alike!

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

Get players working together effectively as a team. Build trust, alignment, and better understanding of one another. In the Brick Masters Story Game, players choose cards containing types of people, places, props, perspective, and perils. The group's challenge is to develop a story around these cards, and build a LEGO® model to illustrate a scene in the story. After a period of wild creation and development, teams will share their stories with one another. At the end, the debrief/review will give teams an opportunity to refect on their process, their success, leadership, communication styles, etc.

WHY LEGO®?

LEGO® building bricks create ‘lean in’ environments where everyone is involved - not just the loud ones!

WHAT'S IN THE DECK? ENOUGH CARDS FOR UP TO 3 TEAMS!

Introduction cards explain game set-up, faciltiation tips, and review and reflection questions.You'll have enough content cards for up to three teams, including:

• 9 x People
• 9 x Place
• 6 x Props
• 6 x Perspective
• 6 x Peril
• 6 x Plot Twist
• 6 x Wild Cards
• Facilitation Cards - the cards containing facilitation notes are very easy to follow. Anything intended to be read out loud is written in italics.

LEGO® bricks ARE NOT INCLUDED!

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR BRICK MASTERS STORY GAME

To accompany this deck, you'll want lots of varied LEGO® bricks, including ample base-plates and Minifigures®. LEGO ‘Classic’ sets will get you started. The building bricks are not included with the set but are readily available new (at toy stores) and used (Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist). You'll also want paper and pens on hand.

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

The facilitation notes, explain each step in the activity.

PART 1: The Basics

Each team draws cards the following cards from the top of each pile:

• 3 x PEOPLE cards
• 1 x PLACE card
• 2 x PROP cards

Teams then discuss their cards, build a representation of each of these using the LEGO® bricks. Involve every member of your team.

PART 2: Story Development

With the people, place, and props now in place, teams will draw these additional cards and begin developing their story, adding interest and intrigue.

• 1 x PERSPECTIVE card
• 1 x PERIL card

PART 3: Plot Twists and Wild Cards

After another 5-10 inutes, the faciltator will announce that every good story needs a plot twist. Players will draw one card from the PLOT TWIST PILE and weave that into their story.

OPTIONAL WILD CARDS

WILD CARDS can add an extra dynamic to the game. The might limit players use of all their hands, require silence, etc.

WATCH A DEMO!

The Leadership Metaphor Explorer Kit is a dynamic, interactive tool designed to stimulate creative, insightful conversations in and among groups about leadership.

The set, which includes a deck of 83 postcard-size cards illustrated with a rich variety of drawings and captions and a comprehensive facilitator's guide, is designed to help people understand how leadership plays out in their organizations, communities, and across boundaries.

This hands-on game uses metaphorical images and captions to open a dialogue about the three stages of dependent, independent, and interdependent leadership cultures. Individuals choose images that resonate with them and then participate in a group discussion about leadership in organizations.

A typical 30-90 minute session follows a five-step process:

1. Prepare. Define the session's purpose and choose participants.
2. Frame. Use specific questions to set up the conversation that the session is meant to provoke.
3. Browse. Each participant chooses one or more cards in response to the specific framing questions put to the group.
4. Reflect and Converse. The participants discuss their cards - why they chose them, differences and similarities, and so on.
5. Extend. Carry the session results and conversion to other groups across the organization.

Kit includes:
Card deck: 83 cards, 4 in. x 6 in.
Facilitator's guide: 70 pages, paperback

View video below

Includes 1 print assessment. Order one Self Assessment for each individual. Each Self Assessment includes:

Understanding personal style is the first step to developing successful coaching relationships. By responding to the 18-item What's My Coaching Style? inventory and receiving feedback from coachees, participants identify their personal style and build an understanding of the people they coach.

What's My Coaching Style? is coaching assessment for management development that measures personality style and explores how it relates to coaching and interpersonal relationships. Coaches and managers identify and understand personality traits, learn how to capitalize on personal strengths, and minimize potential weaknesses.

Accurate, easy to use, and apply, the coaching assessment measures an individual's preference for one or more basic behavioral styles:

• Direct
• Spirited
• Considerate
• Systematic

With this knowledge, individuals can better understand why they behave the way they do, learn how to adapt their behavior to improve interpersonal relationships, develop rapport, and ultimately, become more effective coaches.

The What's My Coaching Style? assessment starts with an 18-item inventory that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Each of the 18 items is a pair of statements. With a limit of 5 points, assessment-takers distribute points between the two statements in each pair - indicating the degree to which they feel the work describes their behavior. Scoring the assessment reveals a "My Coaching Style Profile" and a dominant preference for one or more four personal styles: Direct, Spirited, Considerate, and Systematic.

In addition to the self-assessment, the What's My Coaching Style Feedback Form allows individuals to gauge how they are perceived by those they coach. It is particularly useful in the early stages of a coaching relationship.

If you are planning to use What's My Coaching Style in a business coach training session, we recommend you allow approximately 1 hour for interpretation of scores, topic discussion, debrief, and action planning.

The Facilitator Guide also offers an easy-to-follow workshop outline that expands What's My Coaching Style into a 1.5-hour program.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Identify personal preference for one of four behavioral styles
• Develop an awareness of personal behavior patterns
• Learn how one is viewed by those he or she coaches
• Create an action plan to immediately apply in the workplace

AUDIENCE

What's My Coaching Style is appropriate for anyone to use for both personal and management development. The assessment can be used as a standalone training assessment, or it can be incorporated into a more comprehensive coaching skills training program.

The What's My Coaching Style? Facilitator Guide includes everything you need to lead a successful training session from comprehensive background information and activities, to reproducible handouts and even a professional PowerPoint presentation.

Facilitator support materials will be available to you as a digital download link in your order confirmation.

Order one Facilitator Set per trainer, and 1 Print Participant Guide (#RBWCHP, purchased separately) for each individual learner. Feedback Forms (#RBWCHO) are also available separately.

The Emotions Card Deck provides a path to emotional intelligence and personal growth.

Emotions are a fundamental part of our human experience, yet understanding and navigating them can sometimes be a challenge and this card deck for educators and facilitators is designed to enhance emotional literacy, develop essential skills for managing emotions, and facilitate meaningful discussions. Each card features a unique emotion or feeling ranging from joy to sadness, excitement to fear. The cards cover a wide range of emotions, empowering individuals to identify and understand their feelings and those of others which promotes self-awareness, effective communication skills, and empathy.

Each of the 57 double-sided cards also features a thought-provoking question related to the emotion depicted. These questions inspire group discussions and encourage sharing of experiences, perspectives, and strategies. Through sharing their emotional experiences, individuals realize that their feelings are not unique and have been experienced by others, fostering a sense of connection and support. The reverse side of each card adds an exciting twist to the learning experience and provides endless opportunities for play-based learning and interactive fun.

CARD DECK INCLUDES

57 double-sided emotion flashcards
4 single-sided color-coded Mood Meter cards
1 double-sided product description card that includes a QR code to Activity Guide with step-by-step instructions for 13 activities
1 single-sided card with list of emotions presented on flashcards

FEATURES

• The color of each card's outline corresponds to the 4-quadrant Mood Meter matrix, which sorts feeling based on intensity (one one axis) and pleasantness (on the other axis).
• Printed on premium quality card stock with a matt finish
• Flashcard size: 8 ½” x 5 ½”
• Durable and easy-to-store box 9" x 6"
• Cards are suitable for all ages from youth to adult

ONE DECK - OODLES OF ACTIVITIES

This deck is incredibly versatile and can be use for by a number of professionals developing EQ skills:

• Educators looking for activities to foster emotional literacy and a stronger classroom culture
• Guidance counselors seeking group or one-on-one activities
• Out-of-school professionals exploring ways to support social and emotional learning
• Facilitators & Adventure Practitioners seeking a tool for team development work with diverse groups across all ages

In this game of communication and collaboration, blindfolded players must figure out which of the shapes that they hold is a duplicate. Success requires clear and concise communication, active listening, and collaboration, as several of the shapes could be easily confused with each other.

The facilitator will instruct players,

“Without looking at your shapes, determine which players have matching shapes.” Optionally, you can let them know that only two players will have matching shapes. Or, you can throw in more matches and NOT tell them how many will be a match (this is much more difficult!)

CONTENTS OF SHAPE-UP

This communication and teambuilding game contains:

• 26 wooden shapes (2 each of 13 different shapes)
• 10 blindfolds

MORE TEAM BUILDING FACILITATION OPTIONS

In addition to the Shape-Up game, facilitation notes include 5 additional game ideas including:

1. PARTNER PAIR-UPS - players use the 13 different shapes to find a partner (one with either a matching or complementary shape)

2. BEHIND-THE-BACK PARTNER PAIR-UPS - without seeing the shape that they hold, players must find the person who has their matching shape.

3. SHAPE-UP ICEBREAKER INTROS - using the shapes a metaphors, players pick a shape that reminds them of a personal experience (or a learning goal; or a characteristic they’re proud of; etc.)

4. METAPHORICAL DISCUSSIONS & DEBRIEFS - players choose a shape that represents an observation, question, or learning point, and share their metaphorical reflections with the whole group.

5. SHAPE-ly DEBRIEF & REFLECTION QUESTIONS - conduct a "S.H.A.P.E.ly" debrief

S – SHAPES - discuss what was difficult about describing the shapes

H – HELPFUL/HURTFUL - identify approaches that were helpful or hurtful to the effort

A – ACTIONS - focus on actions and break-through moments

P - PREPERATION - draw out the impact of preparation as teams approached the challenge

E – END RESULTS - discuss the group's satisfaction with their end-result

©Trainers Warehouse. SHAPE-UP is a collaboration between Teamwork & Teamplay and Trainers Warehouse.

COMPARISON CHART

Not sure which team-building activity is right for your group? Trainers Warehouse offers a variety of experiential learning games that build skills in communication, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and conflict resolution. Use the chart below to compare five of our most popular activities—PuzzleBlind®, Helium Stick®, TeamWRITER®, Shape Up!®, and Team 10®—and choose the one that best fits your training goals, group size, and workshop format.

The Discovering Styles Thumball takes players through an activity that explores their work and management styles. It's a creative way to get to know each other a bit better. Thumballs look like soccer balls but are soft and safe for indoor use at work, school, and home. Catch the ball, look under your thumb, and share your reaction to the prompt.

ADAPTABLE FOR YOUR FAVORITE STYLE ASSESSMENT

With so many personality-type tools out there (DiSC, DISC, Meyers Briggs, Real Colors, True Colors, What’s your Style, etc.), this tool focuses on personality characteristics in general. It can be used with any of these common frameworks, to deepen learning while having some fun. Help players understand different styles, grow familiar with new terminology, practice categorizing qualities and characteristics as personality types, and consider how to draw out the benefits of each.

In fact, the ball was made silver and white so that it can align with ANY COLOR-TYPE FRAMEWORK!

EXPLORE A RANGE OF QUALITIES

You'll find personality qualities that correlate with a variety of "types"

• DECISIVE, COMPETITIVE, PERSISTENT, ASSERTIVE, GOAL-ORIENTED, EXTRAVERTED
• CHARISMATIC, OPTIMISTIC, PURSUASIVE, AFFABLE, INVENTIVE, TALKATIVE
• RELIABLE, STEADY, EMPATHETIC, COOPERATIVE, FRIENDLY, INTROVERTED
• DATA-DRIVEN, ANALYTICAL, FUTURISTIC, ORGANIZED, OBJECTIVE, THOROUGH
• CREATIVE, RESILIENT, SWIFT, VISIONARY, JUGGLER

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS

Download a slide deck from our recent Show and Share event for more facilitation notes

Set up the experience by explaining that “similarity bias” is an unconscious bias that causes us to show preference for people who are like us. However, teams with a broad spectrum of perspectives and characteristics have been shown to outperform more homogeneous groups. By using the Profiles and Styles Thumball, you hope to expand the group’s understanding of different personality characteristics and types. Together you’ll explore how individuals with different qualities can intersect, balance each other, and improve team performance.

GAME 1: FOCUS ON ONE SINGLE QUESTION

Choose one question for players to answer when they catch the ball and look at the quality under their thumb. For instance, you might have them answer:

• How could you use this quality in a positive way?
• How can you support or encourage this quality?
• How can you best work with someone with this quality?
• Why is this quality important to our organization?
• Which of our personality type(s)/styles encompasses this quality?
• In what situations might this quality/characteristic be most effective?
• What happens if this quality is exaggerated…
• How might someone with this quality manage conflict?

GAME 2: ROUND ROBIN

In each round of play, answer a different question regarding the qualities on the Thumball. i.e.

• Round 1: “Catch the ball, look under your thumb, read the prompt aloud and answer: How could this quality be used in a positive way?”
• Round 2: “Catch the ball, look under your thumb, read the prompt aloud and answer: What happens if this quality is exaggerated…”

GAME 3: TEAM PLAY

Line up 2 teams opposite each other. The receiving team will catch the ball, read the QUALITY (the word in all caps) and quiz the other team on any one of these:

• A description or example of what that quality might look like at work.
• With which style “type(s)” might the quality be associated (i.e. “dominant”; “intuitive”; “spirited,” etc.) NOTE: the “type” should correspond with the specific assessment tool the facilitator has introduced.
• A colleague/teammate or famous person who is strong in this style

GAME 4: STYLE PAIRS

Look under both thumbs and consider how those two qualities might interact. Answer:

1. How might those characteristics balance or complement each other?
2. What challenges might arise when these two qualities merge?

FACILITATOR SUGGESTIONS

Our customer, CPTD-certified Kimberly Robinson, shared these facilitation notes:

For the first activity, I gave these instructions: 

• • Person #1 (Person holding the ball): Looks at where their thumb is placed. Shares the quality and description on the ball.
  • Person #2 (to the right): Gives an example of what that quality might look like at work.
  • Person #3 (next person): Identifies with which style type this quality might be associated (Drive, Influence, Support, Clarity).
  • Person #4 (final person): Identifies a colleague/teammate (or famous person) who is strong in this style.
  • Bonus: If someone else is strong in this style, speak up, so others know about another one of your gifts!

For the Style Pairs activity, after each person caught the ball and shared the qualities, the answered both questions: 

• • How might those characteristics balance or complement each other?
  • What challenges might arise when these two qualities merge?

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

This ball is part of our exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

• All about Silver Series Thumballs
• Tips & Suggestion on Facilitating Thumball Experiences
• How Deep to Discuss
• 7 Tips to formulate great questions
• More tools for great conversations
• Discover Your Thumball Style
• How Deep to Discuss Infographic

The Power of Perception Leadership Activities take participants on a journey of walking in others' shoes and seeing the world from new perspectives. As the group works out challenges, wearing different-colored glasses, they quickly understand the reality of others not seeing the world through the same lenses they do... literally.

Using John Riordan's workbook and course, facilitators can help teams, leaders, and managers recognize, understand, and adjust their own perceptions and others'.

FACILITATION KIT INCLUDES…

The game includes all you need for 3 to 18 players.

• 3 Facilitation/Participant workbooks
• 6 Red Glasses
• 6 Blue Glasses
• 6 Yellow Glasses

EXTRA SET OF GLASSES INCLUDES…

• 1 set (3 pairs) of glasses  -- (one of each color: red, blue, yellow)

POWER OF PERCEPTION LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

In the workbook, find a complete course on the power of perceptions, including:

• Introduction – explaining Chris Argyris’ Ladder of Inference, exploring how the information on which we focus becomes the filter through which we lend meaning, make assumptions, and draw conclusions.
• Introductory Activity – in a series of two warm-up exercises, players must add up a series of numbers and agree on the sum of those numbers. Wearing the glasses, they will arrive at different totals, and there the negotiations (and learning) begin.
• People Perceptions Activity – In a second activity, participants are asked to evaluate potential new teammates based on a set of criteria. When asked which candidate they’re drawn to, players will realize that they’ve come to different conclusions depending on the information that’s most apparent to them. Debriefs can focus on self-perceptions, cultural norms, past experience, stereotypes, affinity bias, and more.
• Emotional Intelligence Activity – the third activity asks participants to consider a person’s feelings. Again, perceptions of the situation are colored by the glasses they’re wearing. Beyond building emotion-related vocabularies, debriefs can explore projection bias, attribution bias, cultural context, assumptions, mood congruence, and more.
• Decision-Making Activity – In the fourth and final activity, participants must agree on a sum of numbers so that they can make a joint decision. The activity explores the need to:
  • Begin with dialogue, not debate
  • Strive first for understanding, not the quickest answer
  • Differentiate constructive and destructive language when
  • Negotiating decisions when everyone isn’t in agreement
• Debrief – a series of wrap-up questions, engage the group to discuss:
  • Topics on which team members currently have different opinions or perspectives
  • Ways you can manage different perspectives going forward.

DEMO

FROM THE DEVELOPER, JOHN RIORDAN

Studies have shown that when people are actively involved in the thinking and decision-making process, their sense of ownership inspires results that exceed expectations. Road to THERE is the toolkit to create buy-in, increase creative energy, and inspire ownership in an organization's plan to excel!

WHY ROAD TO THERE VISIONING TOOL?

This simple tool takes the fear out of strategic planning and visioning, which for many people conjures up images of heated arguments, confusion, unresolved disagreements, hours of circular-reasoning disguised as healthy debate, and for some, the embarrassment of not knowing how.

Yet, without a clear and effective plan that lays out a roadmap to the future, and to which team members can buy-in, the organization creates an environment that is prime for chaos.

HOW IT WORKS

The Road to THERE walks individuals and teams through the process of visualizing the future and creating a clear road map that identifies the objectives, the potential obstacles, and the distance between where you currently are and how far you need to go to get THERE. With it are the Hows that everyone involved can participate in creating -- therefore making it real to the individual contributor and inspiring ownership.

INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED (except the meeting platform)

Road to “THERE” Virtual Toolkit was designed to help facilitators walk their teams through a thorough strategic planning process. The goal of the facilitation is to create an action plan with clarity of purpose, accountability, and focused intention. Included in the digitally-delivered toolkit is:

1. The Road to “THERE” PowerPoint Video for Online Teams
2. Concise Facilitator Guide, containing tips, not included in the PPT file
3. Downloadable Planning Worksheet Master files
4. Accountability Matrix Master File

NOTE: You will also need an online Meetings Platform, which allows for small group breakouts, shared whiteboards, and voting (i.e. Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, etc..)

Creator, Linda Callecod, talks about using Road to There during a Live Workshop

Synergy Stack is a deck of "Habit Cards"

The deck contains 48 "Habit cards," that help colleagues build synergy, communication, and understanding through improved Connections, Clarity, Curiosity, and Commitment. Use this thoughtful deck to help teams in their "Getting to Yes" efforts. Build strength in communication and negotiation skills. Develop alignment between individuals, teams, and departments by fortifying this critical set of skills and habits.

4 COLOR-CODED CATEGORIES TO BUILD SYNERGY

• CONNECTION: Get to know one another as human beings. The 12 GREEN cards focus groups on topics such as showing empathy, getting to know peers beyond the workplace, being real, giving credit where it's due.
• CLARITY: Develop a shared understanding of success. The 12 TEAL cards home in one on building shared understanding about goals, expectations, and priorities.
• CURIOSITY: Show genuine interest in other perspectives and possibilities. 12 ORANGE cards seek to explore others interests and perspectives through inquiry, idea sharing, challenging assumptions, openness to new thinking.
• COMMITMENT: Coming to clear commitment. 12 BLUE cards help get teams to the finish line by helping teams stay on track, honor deadlines and confidentiality, accepting accountability, and sparking action.

KEY ELEMENTS OF SYNERGY STACK CARDS

1. Title: The name of the HABIT (12 habits for each of the 4 Cs).
2. Color and icon- associated with one of the 4 Cs.
3. Description of the Habit – definition of the habit explains what the habit looks like when used effectively.
4. Question – example phrase showing how one might further explore or discuss the habit.

SO MANY USES

This thoughtfully curated collection of tools, games, and activities is designed to amplify team collaboration, foster innovation, and spark meaningful conversations among leaders at every level. The Synergy Stack deck is perfect for workshops, team retreats, or leadership development programs, such as:

• Dynamic Team-Building Exercises: Engage participants with activities that build trust, improve communication, and encourage problem-solving in real time.
• Powerful Discussion Prompts: Dive deep into leadership challenges using expertly crafted questions and scenarios.
• Adaptable Frameworks: Tailor activities to any group size or leadership style with flexible resources that meet your training objectives.
• Plus...
  • Team building
  • Strategic planning
  • Problem-solving
  • Project kick-offs
  • Post-project reviews
  • Company offsites
  • Conferences
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Conflict resolution and Negotiation Training
  • Communication training

READY-TO-GO LEARNING EXPERIENCES & GAME IDEAS

SynergyStack includes access to an online hub that's chock full of facilitation and teaching notes, multimedia content, deeper explanations of the 4-Cs approach, and 13 games that you can tailor to the needs of your groups.

• 3 general "icebreaker" exercises that use all the cards in the deck
• 4 exercises that use just the 12 cards of the associated "C"
• 1 Teambuilding exercise
• 3 one-on-one activities (build self-confidence, coach through a conflict, career development)
• 2 personal development activities

LEARN MORE

Read a synopsis here.

Listen to a recording.

FA

FAQs

Q: What is Synergy Stack?
A: Synergy Stack is a deck of 48 “Habit Cards” designed to strengthen team communication, collaboration, and negotiation. The cards help teams build practical habits across four areas: Connection, Clarity, Curiosity, and Commitment.

Q: How do teams use Synergy Stack in training or workshops?
A: Facilitators use the cards as conversation starters, reflection prompts, and activity guides during team-building sessions, leadership development workshops, project kickoffs, and retrospectives. The deck supports both group discussion and one-on-one coaching.

Q: What are the four categories in Synergy Stack?
A: The deck is organized into four color-coded categories:

• Connection (green): building empathy and human connection

• Clarity (teal): aligning on goals, expectations, and priorities

• Curiosity (orange): exploring perspectives and challenging assumptions

• Commitment (blue): accountability, follow-through, and action

Q: What’s included on each Habit Card?
A: Each card includes the habit name, a brief description of what the habit looks like in practice, and a sample question or prompt facilitators can use to spark discussion or reflection.

Q: What kinds of programs is Synergy Stack best for?
A: Synergy Stack works well for team building, leadership development, strategic planning, communication training, negotiation training, conflict resolution, project kickoffs, post-project reviews, offsites, and coaching or mentoring sessions.

Q: Is Synergy Stack suitable for different group sizes?
A: Yes. The cards can be used with small groups, full teams, or in one-on-one coaching. Activities can be adapted for workshops, retreats, classrooms, and conference sessions.

Q: Are ready-to-use activities included?
A: Yes. Synergy Stack includes access to an online hub with facilitation notes, deeper explanations of the 4Cs framework, multimedia resources, and 13 ready-to-run games and exercises that can be tailored to different learning goals.

Q: What skills does Synergy Stack help develop?
A: The cards help build practical habits for communication, collaboration, alignment, curiosity, accountability, problem-solving, and negotiation—skills that support high-performing teams and effective leadership.

Learning activities perfectly suited to your content!

The closer learning is to real work situations, the better the learning transfers to the real world.

Real-world relevance is why LearningSim's 5-Step Simulations strike the perfect balance of complexity, engagement, power, and ease of use.

Pick up one of these mini-simulations or role-play scenarios. Use them "as is"; or tweak them to your content and training needs. This robust collection contains 35 files and templates with more than 50 scenarios on topics such as decision making, ethics, customer service, giving feedback, negotiation, sales skills, leadership, safety, presentation skills, and more. Plus you'll find instructions and templates on the essential steps to prepare, present, facilitate, and debrief the experiences for maximum learning.

Durations: 30-120 mins. Downloadable file includes 300+ pgs. of reproducible content. MS Word files. Single User license.

View Table of Contents

What You Get

• 28 Ready-to-use training simulations in 16 topics, each with facilitator, learner, and partner material
• Editable Microsoft Word files filled with simulation content
• Sample simulation template in Articulate Storyline (.story) file format
• Trainer and designer guides and templates with helpful suggestions on how to blend 5-Step Simulations into existing courses and training programs
• All included in a singlecost-effective license that fits your needs

New in Version 2!

• Articulate Storyline simulation example (with .story file)
• 6 new simulations, now including safety topics
• Templates for writing your own 5-Step Simulations
• The 1-page "Sneaky Training Technique" template

This is a downloadable product. After you make your purchase, you will receive a link where you can download the software.

COLOURBLIND® was developed in 1991 for training Air Traffic Controllers in Great Britain -- where team communication is fundamental to success and where absolutely no margin for error, misunderstanding or ambiguity can be tolerated. Since then, COLOURBLIND has been used worldwide across languages, cultures and business backgrounds, to focus on the fundamental skills of great two-way communication and the achievement of shared meaning. It is also used to explore team problem-solving, team understanding of abstract concepts and to explore team culture. Colourblind is now listed as a 'Preferred Learning Material' by ILM (Institute for Leadership and Management), Europe's foremost leadership and management training provider.

Wearing blindfolds to ensure total dependence upon the quality of their verbal communication, and holding a collection of small, irregular, coloured plastic shapes, a group works together to gather information that will allow them to solve a puzzle. The size of the group (between 4 and 28) demands different types of skill: information and group management, effective listening and questioning, strong chairing skills, the ability to clarify and summarize and the need for feedback to ensure understanding.

Colourblind Plus is a new activity based on the success and inherent challenges within the original Colourblind -- a classic verbal problem-solving activity that has been used for over 20 years to help teams reach a common understanding of meaning, and recognize problems caused with imprecise communication patterns. Colourblind Plus extends the original activity through the introduction of 6 new shapes, so that those already familiar with Colourblind will find this activity to be a similar but more difficult challenge.

3 GREAT ACTIVITIES

Colourblind Plus contains 3 separate activities:

1. A paired communications activity - each participant is paired back to back with another and must use verbal description only to determine which of the three shapes they have is the odd one out. This is a deceptively challenging activity due to the careful design of of the new abstract Colourblind Plus shapes!
2. The second activity can build on the first by bringing 2 pairs together, and using blindfolds to again determine which is the odd shape in the group -- the addition of extra pieces and the blindfolds in this activity challenges the group to determine whether they have new or similar shapes to those they may have previously seen.
3. Finally the third activity mirrors the challenge in the original Colourblind -- this time the new abstract shapes will present a much greater challenge than the original, and will require a far greater detail of accurate description to reach the successful answer to the challenge: 'What is the colour and shape of the two missing pieces?' Individuals draw on their experience and descriptive skills to explain to each other the complexities of abstract shapes that they can hold in their hands, but not see (participants are blindfolded). They use feedback and the skills of clarification to ensure that their understanding is accurate.

SUCCESS REQUIRES COMMUNICATION EXCELLENCE

• Set up and manage an effective communication system that everyone understands and can use efficiently.
• Develop a dialogue which will lead to a common understanding of abstract concepts.
• Deliver a successful solution to the problem they face.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To understand that effective communication is a two-way process requiring a message to be sent and the meaning to be received in the way the sender intended
• To consider how to improve both communication systems and the quality of the messages which those systems support
• To practice effective listening and refine questioning skills
• To develop flexibility in communication, changing and adapting language to meet the needs of the listeners
• To understand how our communication is culturally specific and how to ensure that we are using shared references to achieve common meaning.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Outlined below are the descriptions of the three separate (but related) activities contained within Colourblind Plus

1. Paired Version

Up to 4 pairs (with an optional observer per participant) are seated back to back so that they cannot see what each other is holding. Each participant is handed some shapes, and the objective is to decide which of the them is the odd one out. The pair has 10 minutes to provide a single final answer, and there is an optional set of observer notes that can be used to include an observer to provide individual feedback.

2. Small Group Version

Four participants (plus observers if required), are brought together, seated and blindfolded for this (second stage) activity. As in the previous activity they will again be tasked with identifying the shapes which do not exactly match from the distributed set. If this activity follows the initial paired activity they may recognise the feel of some shapes as they will have seen and handled them before, but some may be new to them. The participants cannot transfer or exchange their pieces with each other and are reliant only upon high quality verbal communication to solve their problem. At the end of the exercise they must identify a single group answer to the problem. Each group has up to 20 minutes to provide a single, final answer to the problem.

3. Large Group version

Each participant (ideally between 6 and 16) is seated, blindfolded and issued with a number of small plastic pieces. The brief suggests that the group has to identify the colour and shape of two pieces that were removed from the complete set of plastic pieces before they were distributed amongst the participants. The participants cannot transfer or exchange their pieces with each other and are reliant only upon high quality verbal communication to solve their problem. At the end of the exercise they must identify a single group answer to the problem.

TIME EXPECTATIONS: A period of between 20 - 45 minutes intense verbal information exchange and problem-solving approaches will typically be required depending on the abilities within the group. Should the group already have progressed through the paired and small group versions described above, then this activity will be much easier than if they begin with this Large Group version, as this is a challenging activity.

VIEW VIDEO DEMO

TIME DURATION

Duration: 20-60 minutes plus review, using 1, 2, or 3 activities in pack

Group Size: Ideal 6-16. Possible 4-28

INCLUDES

• 20 blindfolds
• 6 puzzle pieces in each of 5 colors (30 pieces total)
• Binder with Facilitation notes

Colourblind is designed by RSVP Design Ltd, now validated by ILM.

WATCH THE SHOW & SHARE DEMO AND DISCUSSION

This engaging, interactive Emotional Intelligence exercise is a perfect workplace discussion tool. These 30 EQ conversation prompts will improve mutual understanding and help teams develop stronger emotional intelligence skills. The resource is suitable for use in both virtual and face-to-face training sessions.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING ACTIVITY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Learn about the emotional intelligence in an interactive way
• Help participants’ identify their own EI strengths and weaknessses
• Build a list of the skills and attributes associated with good EI
• Understand ways to improve emotional intelligence
• Reduce stress and make relationships at work (and in life) more rewarding

HOW THE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING ACTIVITY WORKS

Emotional intelligence skills are critical to creating a positive work environment, in which productivity, staff well-being and morale can prosper.

In this engaging activity, you'll show small teams of participants one of the 30 discussion cards (online or printed version). Each card poses an EI-related question that requires a response. Participants are asked to:

1. Individual responses: Participants consider their own response and jot personal notes on a handout or notebook. The individual response allows for self-analysis and through trying to reach a team consensus, the card is shared and discussed.
2. Group Concensus: Teams then discuss their answers within their small group and must agree on a team response. People learn from hearing viewpoints from others and having to give reasons to support their own.

The activity is not in any way a test. Each member of the team has their own forms, so any notes participants make about themselves are strictly for their eyes only.

Facilitators have many options for how they use the cards. The can shuffle the cards and move from question to question. Choose just the few prompts the prefer to discuss. See how many topics they can cover in the allotted time.

30 CARDS - 3 TYPES OF PROMPTS

The 30 cards are broken into 3 categories. Each category has a different question and response format.

1. Response Cards (10 cards) - these prompts pose a specific question for consideration. These cards might ask, for instance, What strong personal values influence your actions and decisions?
2. Yes/No Cards (10 cards) - these ask a yes/no question, then prompt players to consider why they answered as they did. For instance, they might ask if you agree or disagree with a probing statement.
3. Task Cards (10 cards) - these require to participants to consider the action they might take in a certain situation. For example, Consider how you might regulate your own emotions in a given situation.

Together, the cards show how EI is about self-awareness, self-restraint, empathy, self-esteem and good social skills - and about regulating emotions rather than allowing them to take centre stage.

After the debrief, there is a handout for individuals to take away, to use as a memory aid.

PARTICIPANTS

• 3-24 (up to 4 teams of 3-6 per team)

TIMING

• 1 hour + debrief

LEARN MORE

TRAINER/FACILITATOR ROLE

• Introduce the activity in plenary session. When using virtually, arrange the group into teams of 3-6 and install in breakout rooms. In the classroom, teams simply sit at different tables.Issue the set of 30 cards to view on-screen (in a virtual or face-to-face setting) or you can print them (if in a face-to-face setting).
• Teams work through the cards one at a time. If time is limited, you may choose to omit certain cards - or give a time-guide of, for example, two minutes per card.
• Observe teams in action and collect any interesting interactions for the debrief.
• Halt proceedings after the hour and allow teams a few moments to reflect on the session.
• Lead a debrief in plenary to bring out the learning points. The Trainer’s Notes includes a commentary for every card.
• Finally, issue the Handout that summarizes the topic and gives tips for the future.

PACK CONTENTS

• Trainer’s Facilitation Notes (PDF file)
• PowerPoint Presentation (PPT file)
• Set of 30 'Cards' (PPT and PDF files)
• Handout A: Response Form (PDF file)
• Handout B: Tasks Form (PDF file)
• Handout C: Notes on EI (PDF file)

FIVE-YEAR LICENSE

This Northgate Training Activity comes with a five-year license for repeat use with up to 24 participants per training session within the license-holding organisation.

Emotional Intelligence Training Activity is designed by Northgate Training Activitiesand supplied digitally via the Northgate Trainerhub.

MORE FROM TRAINERS WAREHOUSE

TRAINERS WAREHOUSE is your one-stop shop for training tools that make learning more innovative and fun. You'll find loads of team building and emotional intelligence tools, as well as fidget toys, reusable table tents, and signage solutions for classroom management.

This is a downloadable product. You will receive emailed instructions on how to download the software. It may take 1-3 days to receive this email, depending on the day of the week that the order is placed.

NOTE: Allow 3-4 weeks delivery time

Ready-to-go Training Kits!

These extraordinary kits by Training Wheels Inc., experts in team building, are filled with a variety of portable team-building games, which utilize a wide range of props and simulations that can be tailored to challenge, energize and re-focus any team.

The kits are great for indoor or outdoor use. Each comes in a high quality wheeled duffle with all activities stored in their own grab bag, keeping props organized and easy to find.

The Field Guide has concise, easy-to-read instructions for all activities. The Basics Kit has 300 different activities -- name games, icebreakers, consensus tools, energizers, diversity activities, problem solving initiatives, trust activities, debriefing tools, and more.

The Teambuilding Kits are bags full of portable teambuilding initiatives. Each kit includes a wide range of props and simulations for anywhere from 300-450 activities designed to challenge, energize, and re-focus any team. The activities inside can be tailored to the desired learning outcome of any group--from corporate to youth groups. The activities can reinforce a variety of common teambuilding goals such as communication, problem solving, decision making, cooperation, creativity, trust building, conflict resolution, and community building.

Each initiative is stored in its own separate grab bag that keep props organized and easy to find. The kit is equipped with a Field Guide that has concise, easy to read instructions for each activity. Each activity lists the type of activity it is, such as an Energizer, Problem-Solving, Trust Building, etc. It also gives suggestions for basic set up and goes over any safety concerns. Each page of the Field Guide has a picture on it. That same picture is on a tag that is attached to the stuff sack that contains all the props you would need to facilitate that activity. It is very user friendly and helps to keep staff and the kit well organized. It is easy to keep track of inventory as the tag also describes what should be in that stuff sack.

Most of the teambuilding activities are designed for groups of 12-15. However, there are also some big group games included that can be done with groups of 300 or more. You can increase the number of participants by adding more facilitators. For example, if you have a group of 100 people and you have the Ultimate Kit, you can have 10 groups of 10 working out of the same bag, using the same activities at different times.

International customers, please note: We regret that we are unable to ship this item outside of the U.S.

View Contents of Basics Kit

Companion to What's My Coaching Style? Facilitator Set (#RBWCHF)

What's My Coaching Style? is coaching assessment for management development that measures personality style and explores how it relates to coaching and interpersonal relationships. Coaches and managers identify and understand personality traits, learn how to capitalize on personal strengths, and minimize potential weaknesses.

Includes 1 print Self-Assessment. TRAINERS: order one Self Assessment for each individual.

Self Assessment Table of Contents:

• 18-item assessment with pressure-sensitive response form
• Scoring and Understanding Your Coaching Style
• What is Coaching
• What is Style
• Coaching + Style = Coaching Style
• Why is It Important That I Know My Coaching Style
• Scoring What's My Coaching Style?
• Interpreting Your Scores
• Is There a Best Coaching Style?
• Too Much of a Good Thing?
• Action Planning
• References

Understanding personal style is the first step to developing successful coaching relationships. By responding to the 18-item What's My Coaching Style? inventory and receiving feedback from coachees, participants identify their personal style and build an understanding of the people they coach.

What's My Coaching Style? is coaching assessment for management development that measures personality style and explores how it relates to coaching and interpersonal relationships. Coaches and managers identify and understand personality traits, learn how to capitalize on personal strengths, and minimize potential weaknesses.

Accurate, easy to use, and apply, the coaching assessment measures an individual's preference for one or more basic behavioral styles: Direct, Spirited, Considerate, and Systematic. With this knowledge, individuals can better understand why they behave the way they do, learn how to adapt their behavior to improve interpersonal relationships, develop rapport, and ultimately, become more effective coaches.

The What's My Coaching Style? Assessment starts with an 18-item inventory that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Each of the 18 items is a pair of statements. With a limit of 5 points, assessment-takers distribute points between the two statements in each pair - indicating the degree to which they feel the work describes their behavior. Scoring the assessment reveals a "My Coaching Style Profile" and a dominant preference for one or more four personal styles: Direct, Spirited, Considerate, and Systematic.

Plan your training for maximum impact!

Transform the way you teach, train, and facilitate learning with Angela Agresto's Brain Building Blueprints Flip Book—a dynamic, easy-to-use course development tool that simplifies lesson planning while ensuring engagement, interactivity, and retention. Whether you're a corporate trainer, classroom teacher, instructor, facilitator, or coach, this innovative flip book provides a brain-friendly approach to designing impactful learning experiences in just minutes.

Built around the 4Cs Brain-Based Instructional Design Model (inspired by master trainer Sharon Bowman), this flip book gives you instant access to ready-to-use learning activities that work for any subject, skill level, or learning environment—live or virtual.

4Cs BRAIN-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN MODEL

The 4Cs Model is a brain-based approach that enhances learning by following the natural way the brain processes and retains information -- by incorporating movement, talking, images, writing, breaks, and more. This flip book organizes activities according to these four stages, helping you effortlessly design effective training sessions.

C1 – CONNECTIONS

Before introducing new content, help learners connect to each other, to the instructor, and to their prior knowledge on the topic. This step is critical because activating prior knowledge makes learning more meaningful and increases retention.

C2 – CONCEPTS

Introduce new concepts and material through multi-sensory, interactive activities. Be sure to keep instruction short, engaging, and varied, use visuals, storytelling, movement, or hands-on experiences, and make learning fun and memorable. After all, the brain learns best when information is experienced in multiple ways.

C3 – CONCRETE PRACTICE

Reinforce new knowledge by allowing learners to practice using their new skills. Structure activities that allow learners to engage in review activities, teach others what they've learned, and applying the learning to new situations. By using new knowledge, brain connections and retention become stronger.

C4 – CONCLUSIONS

Wrap up learning with reflection and application activities. Include activities through which learners can summarize key takeaways, evaluate and celebrate learning, and develop action plans for real-world application. Each of these will help solidify learning and make it stick in the long-term.

HOW TO USE THE FLIP BOOK

Using Brain Building Blueprints is as simple as flipping through the pages!

• Step 1: Identify which 4Cs stage you need an activity for—Connections, Concepts, Concrete Practice, or Conclusions.
• Step 2: Flip through the corresponding section and choose an activity that fits your learners and setting.
• Step 3: Follow the step-by-step instructions, complete with timing estimates and material lists (if needed).
• Step 4: Implement the activity and watch your learners engage, interact, and retain more effectively!

EASY-TO-FACILITATE BRAIN BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Every activity is designed to align with how the brain learns best. For each activity described in the flip book, you'll find:

The 4Cs Model is brain-based, meaning it enhances retention, engagement, and application of knowledge. Whether you're leading a workshop, running a classroom, or facilitating training, this flip book ensures you deliver memorable and effective learning experiences—with ease!

Take the stress out of lesson planning and create powerful, brain-friendly learning experiences with Brain Building Blueprints!

MORE BRAIN-BUILDING BLUEPRINT TOOLS!

Use the Brain-Building Blueprint Deck to easily access your brain-building activities during your session. (#RDBBBC)

The Brain Building Blueprint Facilitator Kit allows trainers to design and deliver exceptional brain-friendly learning. (#RDBBBF)

WATCH THE DEMO

Kind Cards is a set of 52 cards, including two wild cards, designed to enhance your kindness skills at work. Each card outlines a unique act of kindness, along with its benefits, practical tips, suggested scripts, and thought-provoking questions. On the back of each card, you'll find reflection questions, providing a space for you to record your experiences directly on the card.

Kindness is a skill, and like any skill, it varies among individuals. Needing help with kindness doesn't imply someone is unkind; it presents an opportunity for personal growth at all levels.

For Individual Contributors: Upskilling kindness improves collaboration and goal delivery.
For Managers: Kindness is your top retention tool; upskilling enhances team commitment and performance.
For Executives and Business Owners: Set a kind tone for the business; it results in higher retention, engagement, and overall organizational performance.

COLOR-CODED FOR EASY REFERENCE

The 52-card deck has three categories of cards, plus 2 wild-cards focused on practicing self-kindness.

• Red: Personal Growth and Self-Reflection (18 cards)
• Blue: Communication and Connections (17 cards)
• Yellow: Relationship Building and Support (17 cards)

On each card, find 7 elements:

1. A prompt for a kind act
2. Guidance on how to identify kindness opportunities
3. Examples of how to act on that kindness
4. Numbered cards to help pair that act of kindness with other acts
5. Ways to incorporate the kind act going forward
6. Questions to reflect on the act of kindness, its impact, and how it felt do perform the act
7. Emoji that aligns with the theme of the kind act

FOUR QUESTIONS FOR KIND CARD GROUP ACTIVITIES

INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS & OPPORTUNITIES

If using Kind Cards for group activities, team building, or EQ and kindness training, set out a deck of cards and ask players to select a a card that describes a...

• Kindness skill you're strong in -- and how it benefits your team
• Kindness skill you want to develop -- and how it might benefit your team
• Kindness action that could enhance team effectiveness
• Kindness act you value and hope others will extend to you
• Recent act of kindness you extended or received -- and how it made you both feel

Have participants share the card they selected and discuss why they chose it.

TEAM ASSESSENT

Alternatively, as a team, select 1-2 kindness acts, in which your team is...

• Currently really good at
• Could use some work on
• Might benefit from enhancing

USING KIND CARDS - INDIVIDUAL KINDNESS PRACTICES

Each week, simply choose a card randomly, or in order. Read the suggested act of kindness carefully. Keep the card with you as a reminder and actively look for opportunities to practice the kindness mentioned to a colleague. After performing the kind act, answer the reflection questions on the back of the card to capture the experience. If the opportunity doesn't arise, hold onto the card for the right moment or pick a new one to explore a different act of kindness.

DOZENS OF USES

• Team Building Activities
• Onboarding and Orientation
• Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity Initiatives
• Manager Training
• Internal Communication Campaigns
• Icebreaker Activities
• Conflict Prevention & Resolution Workshops
• Daily Huddles or Check-ins
• Company-wide Kindness Contests
• Company Values
• Critical Conversations
• Virtual Team Engagement
• Leadership Development

KIND CARD DEVELOPER, JAMIE GRACEFFA, PRESENTS...

POWERPOINT DEMO

Try the facilitation techniques described here!

Each Card is 4 1/2" x 5"

Complete Training Library Workshop offers an all-in-one solution of ready-made training workshops—granting your organization online access to over 140 Soft Skills Course Kits and 7 Microsoft Office Specialist Course Kits, including 32 soft skills kits available in Spanish. That’s close to 150 fully customizable, ready-made courses to jumpstart your training programs immediately.

2 VERSIONS TO SUIT ANY DELIVERY MODE

• Workshop Library: Ideal for live, instructor-led sessions—whether in-person or virtual (via Teams, Zoom, GoToTraining). Includes editable Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files. Mac users just need Office for Mac.
• eLearning (LMS) Version: SCORM packages ready for LMS upload, with fully editable Articulate Storyline source files and HTML web versions for internal platforms. It's perfect for self-paced learning. You will receive the SCORM package for each course (ready for immediate upload to your LMS), all the source files can be easily edited using Articulate Storyline, plus HTML web versions ready for use on your intranet or password-protected website.

WHY CHOOSE THIS LIBRARY

• Instant content delivery: Start presenting tomorrow—no course build needed.
• Fully customizable: Adapt content to align with your brand and audience.
• Unlimited reproduction: Print handouts or trainer notes without restriction.
• Unlimited trainer access: Empower your entire team with no extra licensing fees.

COURSE CATEGORIES INCLUDED

147+ COMPLETE COURSES - A COMPLETE TURN-KEY CORPORATE TRAINING CURRICULUM

With this complete, comprehensive library for ready-to-go, ready-to-present professional training workshops, seminars, and courses, you're sure to find the content you need when you need it. Don't worry about reinventing the wheel! These turnkey training activities for facilitators have all you need to start presenting tomorrow! You'll find courses focused on all of the following (see a more complete listing below):

• Administrative Skills (12+ courses)
• Career Development (17+ courses)
• Human Resources (25+ courses)
• Personal Development (24+ courses)
• Sales and Marketing (25+ courses)
• Supervising, Management and Leadership Skills (17+ courses)
• Workplace Essentials (21+ courses)
• Microsoft Office courses! (7+ courses)

FAQS

Q: What’s the difference between the Workshop Library and the eLearning LMS version?
A: The Workshop Library includes editable Word and PowerPoint files for live facilitation. The eLearning version offers SCORM packages, Storyline source files, and HTML versions for seamless integration with your LMS.

Q: Can I edit the content to match my branding?
A: Absolutely. All course materials in these turnkey training activities for facilitators are fully customizable—you can personalize text, imagery, and format to fit your organization.

Q: Is there a Spanish version?
A: Yes, 32 of the soft skills course kits are translated and included in Spanish.

Q: How many trainers can use this?
A: There’s no limit—trainers across your organization can access and deliver the material anytime.

The Complete Training Library is a professional training library that includes online access to over 140 Soft Skills Course Kits and 7 Microsoft Office Specialist Course Kits. There are also 32 Soft Skills Course Kits translated into Spanish. Scroll down to see all of the courses included.

COMPLETE TRAINING LIBRARY FEATURES

An AMAZING value for a complete turnkey training workshop!

• Classroom Ready: Save hundreds of hours
• Completely Customizable: Modify content to increase relevancy to your audience
• Peace of Mind: Professional, classroom tested presentation materials
• Reproducible: Print as many copies as you need, whenever you want
• Unrestricted Use: Unlimited number of trainers within your organization
• Your Logo and Branding: Rebrand using your name and logo. Feel free to add your own logos and messaging! Using any word processor (eg Microsoft Word) you can completely customize and re-brand each training resource as your own. Add company logos and color schemes, insert industry examples, even combine training modules from different courses to create completely new training programs.
• Satisfaction Guarantee: 90-day satisfaction guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied. Just return everything for a full refund.
• Lifetime Access: As the curriculum grows, so will your library

EVERY COURSE HAS ALL YOU NEED AND IS CUSTOMIZABLE!

All of these workshop resources can be easily customized: mix and match training topics between courses, add new content, and even rebrand as your own.

• Training Manual - The training manuals for each course can be easily edited using any word processor, such as Microsoft Word. This allows trainers like yourself to deliver the most up-to-date training possible. Private trainers can also take advantage of branding opportunities to increase future contracts.
• Instructor Guide - Each course also includes an Instructor Guide with detailed lesson plans, timelines, additional resources, and tips and tricks to ensure a professional training experience every time.
• Icebreakers - Icebreakers, energizers, and other workshop activities heighten the effectiveness of training sessions when targeted to the lesson topic and the overall needs of the participants. Icebreakers can be used to introduce or reinforce lesson topics, enhance teamwork, and create an interesting and fun learning environment.
• PowerPoint Slides - PowerPoint slides complement the instructor-led training experience and provide an excellent summary of training concepts in point format. Flip chart notes are also available as an alternative for workshop training.
• Quick Reference Sheets - These powerful Quick Reference sheets are an excellent take-away from any training program or as a stand-alone desktop reference tool. Of course, they are fully customizable and can be re-branded for use as promotional advertising materials.
• Activities and Exercises - Reinforce lessons with fun and appropriate exercises and hands-on learning activities.
• Flip Chart Notes - have ready facilitator notes on flip charts that illustrate points and support learning.
• Quizzes and Testing - Be sure that your teaching has been successful with quizzes and tests that help reinforce learning and enhance long-term retention.
• Certificates -The Certificate of Completion is meant to publicly acknowledge the effort and expense invested by participants in the completion of the training workshop. These will often be displayed in the workplace and provide referrals for future training engagements.

FACE-TO-FACE OR ONLINE!

While the Complete Training Library was developed for "live" instructor-led training, you can use the workshop materials to deliver online training, professional webinars virtually using tools such as GoToTraining, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

WATCH A DEMO!

TIME MANAGEMENT SAMPLE COURSE

See what we mean when we say this Complete Training Library has everything you need! The Time Management Course provides the trainer with a fully customizable 88 page Word Document, and a 174 slide PowerPoint deck. The link below shows "Module Four," including facilitation notes, activity guides, slides, handouts, and more!

• Module One: Getting Started
• Module Two: Discovering Your Productivity Rhythm
• Module Three: Managing Time with Goals
• Module Four: Prioritizing Your Time (Download this sample Time Management course module!)
• Module Five: Tackling Procrastination
• Module Six: Organizing Your Workspace
• Module Seven: Delegating Made Easy
• Module Eight: Setting a Ritual
• Module Nine: Meeting Management
• Module Ten: Dealing with Time Barriers
• Module Eleven: The Benefits of Good Time Management
• Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

VIEW A SAMPLE SELF-PACED eLEARNING COURSE (LMS VERSION ONLY)

FULL CONTENTS OF TRAINING LIBRARY! (but it's continually updated!)

We sell the complete package as a bundle, but if you're only looking for one or two courses, please ask us!

Individual courses cost about $600 each, so this full set is valued at close to a whopping $84,000!

Learn how to overcome and move beyond difficult interpersonal and inter-team relations in the workplace. Communication Derailed is a high-energy simulation game that demonstrates the profound impact of poor communication and teaches the skills needed to communicate effectively.

Three comprehensive, self-contained 2-3 hour modules address:

• Impact of poor communication
• Methods to improve communication skills
• Creation of personal action plans

How it works
The simulation asks participants to imagine they are employees of a toy manufacturing company. As such, teams are charged with building new toy prototypes using fun, colorful parts available in the kit. The challenge is that the hands-on tasks become more difficult when they are faced with obstacles that challenge their communication skills. Through the experience of working together and with the help of the facilitator, participants learn how to overcome these problems to improve their performance through effective communication.

This hands-on activity tackles three typical communication challenges:

• Communication within a team
• Communication among teams
• Communication during organizational stress

Three comprehensive, self-contained modules provide the necessary framework to conduct independent training workshops or a series of sessions. In each module, participants work in groups to design and/or construct a toy: The duration of each module is about 2 hours. Each module follows the same general framework, which consists of 5 parts: (1) poor communication, (2) midpoint debrief, (3) effective communication, (4) final debrief, and (5) action planning.

• Module 1 (Communication within a team): Excellent for general team communication skill-building. Use with new teams to prepare them for challenges they may face, or with existing teams to expose and identify current communication problems.
• Module 2 (Communication among teams): Perfect for organizations that require cross-team or cross-department work.
• Module 3 (Communication during organizational stress): Valuable for organizations dealing with transition. This material is also beneficial for fast-moving organizations that function under continual time pressure.

Trainers love this game because it's easy to facilitate and all parts are reusable. Everything you need to deliver a powerful learning event is included in one kit!

Module 1: up to 3 teams of 4-7 participants; 2 hours minimum
Module 2: 2 or 4 teams of 4-6 participants; 2 hours minimum
Module 3: up to 3 teams of 5-7 participants; 2 hours minimum

The Communication Derailed Complete Game includes a complete Facilitator Guide with step-by-step guidelines on how to administer the game, theoretical background, reproducible participant materials, and presentation masters.

Also included: game parts for 3 teams of 4-8 people

CONTENTS

• Personalized, full-color report
• Results of 20-item assessment
• Understanding Leadership
• Understanding Leadership Style
• Your Leadership Profile
• Your Leadership Style Strength
• Your Leadership Style Trouble Spots
• Flexing Your Leadership Style
• Recognizing Others' Dominant Style
• Applying What You've Learned
• Comparative Data

HRDQ ASSESSMENT CENTER

Gone are the days of mailing pre-work to participants, shuffling paperwork, and tabulating scores in your head. Here is a streamlined solution that will transform the way you prepare for and deliver training with assessments, whether your audience is 20 or 20,000. The online assessment portal gives you complete control over the entire process, from distribution, to administration, scoring, and data management, all with just a few clicks of a mouse.

As a trainer, the Assessment Center enables you to distribute assessments simultaneously to a global audience, manage and track participant progress and completion, access scores immediately and control the release of results, provide full color results to your audience, and print interpretive reports on demand. Participants have 24/7 access to a secure personal account, the ability to complete assessments from any location, at any time, automatic scoring and instant results.

The Conflict Strategies Inventory improves an individual's ability to successfully handle workplace conflict. Based on more than 35 years of research, this training tool explores five different strategies: Integrating, Compromising, Competing, Smoothing, and Avoiding. Most importantly, the Conflict Strategies Inventory accurately identifies one's typical reaction to conflict, examines the potential outcomes associated with each strategy, encourages the use of more effective tactics, and provides skill practice in resolving day-to-day issues.

Participant Self Assessment accompanies the Conflict Strategies Inventory Facilitator Guide (#RBCSIF) by HRDQ.

NOTE: Order 1 per participant.

The Conflict Strategies Inventory is based upon the well-known Blake and Mouton Styles Grid as well as the works of many other respected researchers in the field of conflict management. Packed with extensive interpretive information, hands-on activities, skill development, and action planning, this is a great way to equip individuals with the knowledge and insight they need to address conflict in any situation.

Use the self-assessment to

• Pinpoint one's preferred strategy for managing conflict
• Discover the five different ways people respond to conflict
• Understand how and when to utilize the Integrating strategy
• Learn and practice when to use alternative strategies
• Create a development plan to put the learning into action

The self-assessment takes approximately 25 minutes to complete, and it is recommended to allow up to an hour for the interpretation of results, debrief, and action planning. Participants are presented with ten common workplace situations, individuals identify a preference for one of five basic conflict strategies: Integrating, Avoiding, Smoothing, Competing, and Compromising. Scores reveal a personal Conflict Strategies Profile.