Haven’t you ever been in a situation when tensions in the groups ended up changing the course of an exercise? It is important to define the team activity scope and objective, therefore establishing your type of facilitation during the course of the exercise. After determining the purpose and outcome of the training activity you may use the following tactics to lead the exercise in the desired direction:

1. 12 tactics to control team
exercises during a training
course – part 1

2. Haven’t you ever been in a situation
when tensions in the groups ended
up changing the course of an
exercise? It is important to define the
team activity scope and objective,
therefore establishing your type of
facilitation during the course of the
exercise. After determining the
purpose and outcome of the training
activity you may use the following
tactics to lead the exercise in the
desired direction:

3. 1. In order to have a strong structure
Begin by explaining the rules of the exercise in detail. Put
accent on the fact that it is imperative to follow the rules of
the activity. Provide each participant with a printed copy of
the rules. During the course of the exercise remind the
participants frequently of the rules.

4. 2. In order to have a looser
structure
Acknowledge the fact that
confusion may appear during the
activity. Explain that the rules
may be seen as merely
guidelines and they do not
necessarily have to stick to them.
Do not present all the rules at
once. Introduce the rules only
and when they are necessary.

5. 3. In order to have a faster
pace
Start the exercise promptly and
keep it moving fast. Set and
implement time limits during the
course of the activity.

6. 4. In order to have a slower pace
Set and implement as fewer time limits as possible. If a team
or person finishes the activity before the rest of the
audience, insist that they revise their work. You may present
a quality-check rule that reprimands participants and teams
for superficial and sloppy work.

7. 5. In order to increase
competition
Establish a scoring system in
order to recognize and
reward efficiency and
performance. During the
exercise present the result of
certain teams or persons.
Appraise and reward the
winning group with a
significant prize.

8. 6. In order to increase
cooperation
Try reducing conflict among
participants and teams by
increasing tension and conflict
between teams and external factors
(for example: time limits). Create
and implement a multiple criteria
winner selection. You may appraise
and reward teams for quality,
speed, creativity and many more
factors.

9. For more training and
team-building exercises
and advice
visit:
http://trainersadvice.com/res

10. For more training and
team-building exercises
and advice
visit:
http://trainersadvice.com/res