This activity is a great opportunity for demonstrating the importance of taking time to reconnect as a team. You will need a space large enough for the team as a group to be able to mingle about for about 5 to 15 minutes. Have refreshments available.
At a set time each day (“tea time” at QPC Inc. is at three in the afternoon), suggest that the team stop what they are doing and gather around for “tea time.” If there aren’t any tea drinkers on the team, suggest they grab a soda, water or other drink as the team chitchats about the day’s activities.
Spend ten to fifteen minutes informally sharing what’s up. Just knowing that there is time to “connect” on a personal level makes the team more productive. Ask team members to save their stories and socializing for tea time. They can use that time to let each other know what’s going on or what to expect from the future.
Inspired by our Extraordinary Team, Neicy Woody and Donna Lantz
If you like this activity, check out my book, Team Energizers, for 49 other team activities!
Kristin Arnold is a professional meeting facilitator and international speaker who is passionate about helping leaders and their teams think things through, make better decisions and achieve sustainable results. The Extraordinary Team’s approach to building high performance teams combines consulting, coaching, training and process facilitation within the context of working real issues.
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