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• Lycra tube final sequence-focusing on creating a proper sequence of risk from trust circles to body movement to coordination and team-work.

One part of my work is facilitating Train-the-Trainer workshops. These workshops vary from corporate audiences, classroom teachers, non-profit organizations and colleges + universities. Here are some images and notes from a Train-the-Trainer Experiential Education for Physical Education Teachers at The College at Brockport, New York.

Exploring Critical Thinking & the L>E>A>R>N model. Teaching these soon to be teachers low risk interactive ways to create community and critical thinking skills within their classroom. We began with some noodle innovation.

Physical education is about motion and learning to better understand how your movements coordinate with others. Above is an example of a great partner activity that creates – shared movement, connections and negotiation skills.

HOOPDOM – is a always a favorite – a non-competitive version where the students must work together to solve a challenge. In our processing after this activity we spoke about applications to the classroom and how HOOPDOM can be used in Physical Education.

Using metaphor cards to teach reflection skills. For teachers and students the ability to reflect and connect the activities to school and lives is necessary. The teachers really enjoyed exploring and learning many, many, many variations of using metaphor cards.

With one team we used the Cycle Time Puzzle – VERY TOUGH. For Physical Education we were able to discuss how to handle challenging situations within the classroom and how to decide whether to modify or stop the activity all together.

Using I2U2ME2WE as a closing and learning activity brings the students back together in small learning teams. Additionally we were able to use this time as a reflection and connection time.

At one point I took out the “Putting It All Together” kits and one of the students said, “We have already done that!” That gave me a great opportunity to talk about how do you handle that in a classroom? The solution is variations!

A nice closing discussion of Experiential Education and it application in a Physical Education Classroom – using the lycra tube.

Thank you The College at Brockport Physical Education Department and I will see you again soon!

To enroll your class, team, yourself in a train-the-trainer workshop;

Contact Me I travel to you and can develop a program to make your team and you better.

michael cardus is create-learning

• to see more photos of the High Ropes Course click here…

High Ropes-Courses, I have a continual struggle with using them for Team-Building.

I was really against it then Christine (my wife) went away for a Leadership Training with her work. She called me and shared the wonderful experience she had on a High Ropes Course…and that shook my thinking.

High Ropes Courses are most effective for individual vs. element issues (i.e., identifying what’s holding you back from moving forward, getting over fears, and moving forward); it helps leaders create new pathways for thinking and behavior. Ropes Courses are also beneficial for creating a strong bond within a group. When properly sequenced they help teammates better trust one another.

Create-Learning Ropes Course Outcomes:

• Enhanced trust, support and encouragement between team members.
• Appreciation for the unique strengths and contributions that each person has.
• Confidence and courage to try new processes and ideas.
• Enhanced feeling of culture and team connection.
• Amazing shared memories that will last.

I know the above statements to be true…

Please share your ideas on the value of High Ropes Courses for Corporate Development; Youth Development; and other applications that you are familiar with. I am curious to hear what you think?

michael cardus is create-learning

I have been slacking a bit on the photo inquiry Friday posts (BTW they are my favorite posts to write.)

So this week I felt the need to share something that I know is a challenge and we as professionals need to continually focus and strive towards mastery on. The use of clear and distinct language that is understood by those you are talking with, your peer group, and you…

The above video is from a Train-The-Trainer I lead with an Adventure Camp Staff. These staff members are in charge of the High Ropes Course, Low Ropes Course (Challenge Course) plus lead many TeamBuilding & Leadership programs throughout the summer.

In this video is an example of when we are challenged and scared (eyes closed, with your hand hovering over a loaded mouse trap) that clear and distinct language is needed. Language;

• that has the right tone
• with the right message
• sent in the right manner
• at the right time
• from the right person
• etc…

This applies to anyone in a leadership position…the words you use and how you use them are powerful and can pull people towards the goals and commitments of the organization OR repel them and confuse people…Here is the inquiry;

• When you are at your most comfortable with a person or situation how do you know that they are comprehending what you are saying?
• What is an example of when you knew clear & distinctly what was expected and how you would be evaluated? What caused that to happen?
• Within your team…what feedback loops for comprehension of goals + task exist?
• How can use you this video; in your professional life?
• Metaphorically; have you ever had you hand snapped by the trap because the person who was explaining the goal/task gave unclear directions & expectations?
• In what ways might you ensure that the language you are using is understood by the listener and you?

Lets hear about good + bad examples of how language inspires you to do more…or ends up catching your fingers in the trap.

michael cardus is create-learning

This has been a week of Success Spirals and Inward Spiraling Doom Loops; ever have those weeks?

Last week I attended the ASQ World Conference on Quality & Improvement, I was there representing ASQ Buffalo NY (which I serve on the board of as the Community Liaison) and Create-Learning. The conference took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to truly walk the talk of “challenge of choice.”

While at the conference I spent with Bruce Waltuck-Complexified and he introduced me to the ASQ Human Development & Leadership board chair Adil Dalal. Adil and I spoke and he mentioned that the Human Development & Leadership group is looking for people to join their board – so I expressed my interest.

Less than 7 days later I am the Education Chair of the ASQ Human Development & Leadership Group.

So this weeks inquiry; Opportunities tend to find those who are looking for them, and when an opportunity comes and you think that you will be able to grab it…then it goes away – how you are able to move on and stay positive is a challenge. Here are some things to think about;

• Who are you measuring yourself too? Is that a realistic metric?
• What opportunities have you had success with in the last week? month? quarter? 6 months? year? etc…
• When in the past you missed an opportunity or it just did not work out-what was effective at making you feel better? How long did that take?
• With the opportunity you feel was missed-can you find some small gain that was captured? (you can there are ALWAYS exceptions & variations)
• In the past what worked for you to take the most advantage of opportunities?
• How did you manage to capture those opportunities?
• Once you started what did you do to continue momentum?
• What opportunities are you seeing today?
• Choose 1…what can you do to make it happen?
• Once the opportunity is here; what will you be doing more of?

Please share your good news and opportunities grabbed this week in the comments section.

michael cardus is create-learning

image by cameronparkins

This blog focuses on my dualistic interests Team Building which includes; theory, application, simulations, training, activities, team development, high performance teams, effectiveness, experiential design, facilitation & processing and a bunch of other stuff.

The other interest is Leadership which includes; theory, application, coaching, development, succession planning, evaluation, role definition, managerial leadership within hierarchies, individual development, training, intelligence and a bunch of other stuff.

This is a team building post;

Processing the Experience Using Mousetraps;

Materials

• A whole bunch of mouse traps. I prefer the “Victor Metal Pedal”. I am finding it harder to find the Metal Pedal ones because they seem to be transitioning to a plastic pedal.
• Sufficient space and location for the group.

Objective

I am a fan using mouse traps for a variety of team building and training initiatives. Where the value of team building becomes evident is in the processing and internalizing of what was learned. Utilizing an active reviewing method (as opposed to a passive method which is question & answer) aids people in creating brain based connection from the team building activity to their work, lives, community, etc…

Preparation

This is meant to be used as a processing after action method. So you would have already guided the people through “High Stakes Communication” or “Traps to Break Worry” or “Trust trap sequence” or “Trap-u-facturing” or “Snap Pop!” or “Blind Trap Walk” or “Success Traps” or “Traps of Inquiry” or something to do with using the mouse traps in an activity. For more information of using mouse traps in a team building activity contact me and I will be happy to create a customized initiative for a fee.

Meaning that the people are already familiar and comfortable with the mouse traps, and you have covered all the safety, challenge by choice, and risk factors (please do all that if not you are an idiot, should fire yourself and refund the clients money).

Instructions & Facilitator Script

Following an activity using the mouse traps as the central material (covered in the preparation section) ask people to un-snap the traps and listen to you. Generally I say something like this;

“Wow! each of you really gained some valuable insights from that last activity. You were able to communicate, listen, plan and handle risk excellently. By this point all of you have a comfort level that did not exist prior to beginning our time together. Take a moment and reflect upon the action and what happened to increase your comfort with each other and the mouse traps.”

Allow the group about 1-2 minutes of silence and reflection;

“Alright now we are going to experience and determine how this can apply and enhance your organization, team and you when you leave here today. In a moment you are going to be involved in a active transference using your mouse trap. Here is the logistics;

• We are going to build a Tower Of Power! using the mouse traps.
• Each person will load their trap.
• Then we will take turns sharing what was gained and how we may use the lessons back in the office.

Here is how this will be done;

• There is no defined order you may go whenever and as often as you like.
• Each person must add one trap physically to the tower.
• The traps will lie on their side with the metal parts (guts) facing in.
• Two traps will be facing each other parallel.
• Then two more traps will be stacked perpendicular to the two below, like stacking cards or jenga.
• As each person adds their lesson and its application back to the office, they will place their trap into the stack.
• We will continue stacking traps and lessons learned until everyone has had a chance to share.
• Following that we will review what was gained and determine how to best instill the lessons learned from our time.
• If the tower falls, that is alright we will being again.
• Questions?

Once you have explained all that let the building begin!

Facilitator Notes

It is not the activity that creates meaning and transference to the organization, team and person – It is YOU! and your skills in facilitation. If you want to enhance your skill as a facilitator, I can coach and train you to do that contact me. 

It is easy to stop the processing and lessons learned and just let the group build – DON’T DO THAT – this is a processing activity and having them share and talk about lessons and application is your work; DO IT

As the people are building the tower take concurrent processing times and review what is happening, what is working and how this is enhancing the team and communication. Continually looking for moments of “A-Ha” and breakthroughs, point those out to the group and frame contextual questions around them.

Currently (with the groups I have lead) 36 levels which is 72 traps is the tallest any group has built. If you facilitate a team that builds and processes higher please send me a photo. 

Potential Processing Questions

While this activity is in and of itself a processing activity, take some time when you are done to capture lessons learned and then facilitate the team to create action based goals for implementation, follow up, and success. 

Idea From

Sam Sikes

michael cardus is create-learning

Contact Mike for a custom Experiential activity. He is available to understand your team’s culture, language, objectives and successes and create an activity, or series of activities, that will reflect your passion and dedication to improving your team and achieving your company’s goals.

People show up and learn from experience. They will be involved in team building activities, reflection, and task-focused simulations. Before, During, and after each of these activities the experiential learning cycle will be examined and each person and the group will determine what was learned and how to apply it.

michael cardus is create-learning