Building a Cohesive Team





Don't Spill the Beans

Whether preparing an athletic team, starting a new Project Based Learning unit in your classroom or bringing together a new Professional Learning Community, it is essential to take some time at the beginning to establish a cohesive team.  We can not expect that teamwork will just happen.  Educational leaders must be purposeful in the development of collaborative skills that will promote and support communication, creativity and critical thinking within a leadership initiative.  I feel as if there are few major activities that support the building a cohesive team:

1. Team Building Exercises
When you hear the words "Ice Breakers," what comes to mind?  I have always been intrigued as to how adults and young adults respond to these tricky initiatives.  I can anticipate some eye rolls and fist pumps out there in cyber land.  I for one have always enjoyed and incorporated these challenge by choice components when establishing a team.  I feel as if one of the main ingredients to pull off team building activity is that the leader of the initiative must fully buy in and share with everyone the purpose of the games.  Believe me, do not underestimate the power of Team Building Initiatives as they establish shared experiences and simulated trials which ultimately build a foundation of trust.  The Leadership Council at BWMS started with a "Don't Spill The Beans" initiative as shown by the picture above.  During this activity, you should divide into teams and share the task is to carry the can of beans on a bandana without touching the can while they move to touch objects.  Participants are not allowed to touch the cup directly or through the bandana and the bandana must remain flat at all times.  You may have to make changes to the initiative as the game progresses to increase difficulty if things are too easy or vice versa.  Processing after the game should center on how well did the group work together in this activity and why was it important to have everyone on the same page?  These questions will become very important as you start to establish your shared Norms.
 2. What is our Goal?
At the first meeting it is essential to cast the vision for the purpose of your leadership council. The team will naturally ask - Why am I here and What do I need to do?  Very early in the process we shared that with our students the mission of the Big Walnut Middle School Leadership Council is to inspire and guide the social influence of the student body at BWMS.  Within this mission we identified two main events in which the students will take full responsibility for contributing to our school in a positive way... 1. Anti-Bullying Day and 2. Service Day.  These landmark events helped clarify the roles and responsibilities of the leadership council while giving a purpose to each meeting.  While planning these events, BWMS will increase student voice and choice through student leadership.

3. Shared Team Norms
Establishing team norms is another very important concept that is often overlooked when first establishing a team.  Frequently, team protocols begin with establishing norms but far too many people do not see the importance of taking the time to do so.  I feel people, even adults, think they are better at being a team player than they may actually be and therefore underestimate their conflict resolution capabilities.  For the BWMS Leadership Council, we started by having all of our team members Think, Pair, Share ideas and perspectives that should guide our meetings and procedures.  After some feedback from the group, we ended with the following list to guide our work this year:

• Be Respectful to Others
• Be Open to Other Ideas
• Be Present & Attentive
• Be the Representatives of BWMS
• Synergize & Have Fun

4. Constantly Revisiting Our Mission and Methods
One last point of emphasis when establishing a Cohesive Leadership Team is to constantly revisit your mission and methods set out to help achieve your team goals.  As we continue our meetings throughout the school year in preparation for the Anti-Bullying and Service Days at BWMS, we frequently revisit our Norms.  In addition, as your team gets deep into the details of planning, take time out to throw in some new team building initiates to keep everyone fresh and having fun.  The mission and methods are the cornerstones of keeping your team unified so Together Everyone Achieves More.