Team Problem Solving Activities
In business, you and your staff will come up against problems and challenges on a regular basis. The thing that separates your company from the competition is how you deal with those challenges. By studying team problem-solving activities, you and your employees can become adept at facing issues head-on and coming up with viable solutions.
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Brainstorming
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Brainstorming is a way for people on your team to say what is on their minds, linking together ideas that can become a solution. Gather your team together in a conference room where you cannot be interrupted. Designate someone as the note-taker for the meeting and then open up the floor to any idea at all. There are only two rules to a corporate team brainstorming session. The first rule is to allow the person speaking to finish her thought before someone else starts speaking. Several people shouting out ideas at the same time is not productive. The other rule is that no idea gets shot down. Allow someone to express their complete thought and have the note-taker write it down in its entirety -- you can debate its value after the brainstorming session is over.
Personal Time
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A team that is comfortable working together is better equipped to solve company problems. Designate an hour each week for team personal time. You can buy lunch for the team and just have everyone eat together in a conference room, or you can all meet at a favorite after-work spot to just talk and bond. This strengthens the relationships between teammates and encourages respect for each other. It also helps teammates to better understand how each approaches a problem under any circumstance.
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Games
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Problem-solving games can help your team become more adept at addressing and solving problems. A good game to play from time to time is one called "Minefield." The entire team, minus one person, takes some time to set up chairs, tables and office trash cans in a conference room in random spots. The person left outside the conference room is then blindfolded and brought into the room. The rest of the team must verbally guide that person to the other end of the conference room without the blindfolded person touching any of the obstacles.
Another problem solving game is "Dressing in the Dark." A pile of clothes is placed on the floor next to one member of the team. Three other members of the team are blindfolded, and the rest of the team must verbally guide the blindfolded team members to properly put the clothing on the standing team member. These sorts of games will help the team look at issues and learn to find ways to solve them.
Cross-Training
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In order for your team to be efficient at solving problems, it helps for every team member to have an understanding of the responsibilities of their co-workers. Have the team train each other on how to do the jobs the other members of the team are responsible for. Due to a difference in education and experience, not every employee will be able to be proficient at all tasks. However, developing an understanding and respect for each others' jobs will make your team better equipped to solve problems.
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References
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