When I first started as an experiential educator, one of the most powerful ways to learn was to emulate the program delivery models of some of my favourite heroes and heroines. Why invent the wheel, I thought?

For example, I would watch trainers such as Karl Rohnke and marvel at how easy he made it look to engage his groups and achieve outstanding team-building outcomes. I wanted the same results, so I often started my planning guided by the sequence of activities that Karl delivered.

More than 30 years later, I am regularly asked for a list of these types of activity sequences. Today, I want to share a brief 60-minute team-building program that was successfully presented a few years back.

60-Minute Team-Building for 30 People

There is a danger in being too prescriptive that you may follow the sequence I share without paying too much attention to the unique needs and abilities of the group you serve.

So, with this in mind, take a look at the following sequence of activities and adjust accordingly.

Props: 1 x hula-hoop, stop watch, 3 x coloured-objects (red, yellow & green)

1. Alphabet Equations – A wonderful unofficial start, this is a simple, fun & passive exercise to engage your group as your group arrives.
2. Elevator Air – Although somewhat structured, this exercise will quickly & powerfully focus your group’s attention on what is important and the impact their choices & behaviours can have on the group’s outcomes.
3. ESP – A very fun and active partner exercise that you can segue into a conversation about behavioural norms and the critical nature of effective communication.
4. Mute Line-Up – A familiar introductory-level group initiative that will prepare your group to tackle a bigger problem in the next exercise. Help your group focus on the effectiveness of their communication.
5. Through The Wringer – Substantive problem for your group to solve. With a group of 30 people, you may wish to split into two equal groups to enhance the quality of group interactions and decision-making, especially if your team encounters issues with a ‘use v them’ attitude.
6. Traffic Light Debrief – There are many reflective exercises you could use, but this one will provide a handy structure for your group to reflect on the good, the bad and the so-so elements of their performance – all governed from the perspective of a simple traffic light analogy.

My strongest recommendation is to start with this basic framework and then swap one or more activities with those you discover in playmeo’s activity database that you believe would be more appropriate for your group or program needs.

This template is drawn from my book Serious Fun, in which I include 40 x free program templates, all with simple step-by-step instructions. Click the link below to purchase today.

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Stay tuned for more. A new program template will be published every month.

Contributor Mark