Communication Activity Exploring ideas of teamwork, communication and creative problem solving.

Rules We need teams of 4. Team members should be numbered 1-4. You can only use the materials provided. The “viewer” cannot construct, only instruct. You will be allowed 5 minutes per stage. At the end of the activity, you will be required to elect a spokesperson to present to the main group.

What key elements were required for accurate reproduction of the crane? Did you work well as a group? Was instruction clear or imprecise? Were messages interpreted well or badly? Did you feel like you were part of the group? Did you feel like you contributed to the group? Did everyone participate in some way? Was there one particular person who kept the ball rolling? Were there individuals who were particularly quiet? How was their quietness interpreted: agreement or disagreement?

Reflection What you were thinking during the activity? Did you consider what others might be thinking? How did communication or lack of it affect the work of the group? What characteristics of team work became evident during this exercise? What have you learned from this exercise? How would you change your approach next time? How can you use this experience for benefit in your workplace?

Effective Communication It is invaluable to understand the importance of: Observation, instruction, listening, thinking, cooperation, inclusion, appreciation. What is said and meant is not always heard and understood in the way it was intended.