Activity Overview

This activity will be especially helpful for new teams in team building, as each team draws or creates a team emblem.

Objectives

• To develop teamwork.
• To allow participants to reveal their uniqueness.
• To help instill and encourage leadership.

Large enough to divide into teams of 5 participants each

Training Methods

• Discussion
• Reflection
• Hands-on art project

Equipment Needed

• Tables 
• Chairs
• Large pieces of paper
• Pencils
• Colored markers or crayons
• Tape

Room Setup

Put tables together, if necessary, to provide enough space for the team symbol.

This activity is befitting for team-building, particularly if you have a newly formed team. This activity works very well due to the fact that it allows participants to symbolically reveal a cherished value or belief. You might face resistance to the art part, but teams are generally pleased with their results. One variation is to instruct participants to take a walk to find an object that symbolizes who they are or what they believe.  Objects that are heavy or impossible to hang may be placed on a spare table.

Step By Step Instructions

1. Introduce the activity by asking participants to tell of a time when they were on a team that worked extremely well. Ask why they believe it was a high-performance team. Explain that high-performance teams take time because relationships must first be developed. Indicate that this activity will demonstrate exactly that.
2. Participants will now create a team symbol. Distribute a sheet of paper and a pencil to each person. Ask participants to think of an emblem that depicts who they are as individuals—something they place in high regard or something that symbolizes an achievement, a special interest, a hobby, or a possession. Allow time for each person to privately sketch his/her symbol on paper.
3. Split participants into groups of 5. Ask each person to share his/her drawing and explain the meaning of the symbol to the group. Each small group is to develop one large team symbol. All of the group members’ symbols should be consolidated into the new one. They will have to think about what the individuals have in common or develop a theme that applies to everyone. Ask the teams to label their team emblem with a title or motto and have each member sign the final drawing.
4. Reassemble into the large group and have each team explain its symbol. Hang the symbols on the wall next to each team’s table. Deliberate about the creative ways people expressed their individuality.
5. Ask participants to identify the benefits of doing such an activity with their own staff or team.
6. Ask for suggestions on other team-building activities (perhaps what people have had experience with), and wrap up.

Activity Review

Reflect on how the event went, how engaged the participants were and what questions were raised. Make notes that include how much time you actually spent on the activity.