RollBall! -DIGITAL

Description

RollaBall! is so much more than a team building activity. This multi-faceted inter-team development exercise emphasizes the need for multiple departments to work together toward a common goal. This challenge is SO fun! Each team is challenged to create one-third of a runway that will carry a ping-pong ball from the starting point to the end of the line. Each section of the runway will look different and require a different set of resources.

At first, teams won't know whether they should compete or collaborate--most assume it's a competition. At the outset, they're asked a set of multiple choice questions, which get them started in assembling the resources they'll need to build a ball slide. Over time and through a series of coordinated meetings, teams find that all they need each other in order to succeed. The dynamics of the exercise make it an excellent negotiation game, but it can also be used for communication skills training, project planning, and more.

This activity is for face-to-face classroom use. Digital files are supplied via the Northgate Trainerhub. You will receive an email within 48 hours of purchase with instructions on how to activate via the Northgate TrainerHub. You will need to supply your own hard copy contents (most of which you'll have in a work closet) and detailed below.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Practice working effectively within a team

Uncover assumptions about competition

Explore the advantages of collaboration with other teams

Negotiate for limited resources

Develop trust by sharing resources and information

Communicate effectively

Listening well to others

The Activity

Each team has to build one third of a runway to carry a ball from one end to the other. The three parts are:

A tower and starting block plus the first section of the runway

A longer piece of runway to include two curves

An uphill section with a basket for the finish

Teams answer a set of multiple choice question to get the resources they need. Teams could share the answers with other teams but usually fail to do so. Nonetheless, each team will need to borrow resources from other groups or the complete structure will not be built. So why not share answers?

Once they have their resources, teams can begin building their runway parts - there is a meeting area where teams can discuss how the separate sections can fit together. The activity stresses the point that different departments need to work harmoniously together for success. What this means is sharing information readily and establishing good communications. Different parts of an organization are not rivals, they need to collaborate for success.

PARTICIPANTS

9-21 (three teams of 3-7 per team)

TIMING

1 hour + debrief

LEARN MORE

Trainer's Role

Introduce the activity.

Divide the group into three teams.

Set up a neutral area for inter-team meetings.

Issue Briefing Sheets and construction materials when teams answer multiple choice questions correctly.

Observe the teams in action, noting behaviours. Often teams begin by trying to compete and by withholding information, whereas the whole point is to share information freely and work as one big team.