Video 11.1 – Teamwork

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, students will be able to…

  1. Summarize Bruce Tuckman’s four stages of group development.
  2. Identify the pitfalls and challenges of each of the four stages.
  3. Play the human knot game and use teamwork to solve an increasingly hard task.
  4. Write a paragraph on how they can make a positive contribution to the groups in their lives.

1. Watch Video

VIDEO RUN TIME: 3 mins, 33 seconds

SUPPLIES NEEDED: None

2. Discussion Questions

What were Bruce Tuckman’s four stages of group development?

How would you describe the first stage, forming?

Why do so many groups fall apart in the storming stage?

Why do you think so many groups get stuck in the norming stage?

What can you do to help your team become a high performing group?

3. Group Activities

A.  Play the human knot game. Break into groups of approximately 8 – 10 people.

B.  Say this: We’re going to play the human knot game. The goal is to untie the knot as quickly as possible while showing good teamwork. So raise your left hand and reach across the circle to grab hands with someone. Next, raise your right hand and connect it to a different person across the circle. Now try to untie the knot and form a normal circle without ever letting go of hands.

C.  If time allows, repeat the game but require several of the most vocal players to remain silent.

D.  If time allows, play the game in complete silence.

E.  As a large group discuss how teamwork helped them solve the challenge

4. Individual Assignment

Write a paragraph and identify five groups you are regularly involved in (your class, your team, your friends, your family, etc). For each group you listed, write out a realistic idea for how you can make a positive contribution.

Video 11.2 – Teamwork

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, students will be able to…

  1. Identify the Four Levels of Leadership and what skills are needed to move to higher levels.
  2. Create a skit that compares and contrasts the right and wrong way to handle a problem.

1. Watch Video

VIDEO RUN TIME: 3 mins, 2 seconds

SUPPLIES NEEDED: None

2. Discussion Questions

What did Tom say were the Four Levels of Leadership?

Why do you think “Leadership By Rights” is the lowest level?

Why might a leader get hung up on the Relationship level?

What could happen if a leader focusses too much on Results?

Which two levels do you combine to create “Leadership by Respect?”

3. Group Activities

A.  Explain that it’s “Skit Day” and divide the group into smaller teams of six to eight students each.

B.  Give each team five minutes to create a Two-Act Skit. In the first act, they need to identify a problem to solve and then demonstrate one wrong way to handle the problem (such as a loud leader, bad attitudes amongst teammates, arguments, sarcasm, etc). The meeting falls apart and the first act ends (each act should be no longer than 1 or 2 minutes long). In the second act, they should demonstrate the right way to discuss the problem (with respect, kindness, listening, etc), and if possible they should even come to a workable plan of action.

C.  Explain that you will be judging each skit to see which group creates the most realistic skit and to see if they can develop a plan of action in the second act.

D.  When the skits are done, declare a winning team and tell why their skit worked for you.

E.  If time allows, discuss how teamwork was used to create the skits. (The real point of this exercise.

4. Individual Assignment

Write a paragraph describing the two components needed to create Leadership By Respect (ie: Relationships + Results = Respect). How can you use this knowledge in your teams?