Amazing Race
Amazing Race
15. Count to 20
16. This one’s super simple and great if you want to take a couple of minutes to
bond.
17. Have everyone sit in a circle. Anyone can start the count off or say a
number at any time, the goal being to count from one to 20. However, if
two people jump in at the same time to say a number, the count starts over.
This game requires team members not only to be cognizant of the group
dynamic, but to work together—with limited communication—to get to the
end.
Helium Stick
Bringing teams together with problem solving activities that also ecnourages
play can perform multiple functions. Not only do you encourage teamwork
and the building of various team skills but you can have fun and promote
laughter too.
Helium Stick is an example of a simple team building game that does double
duty by encouraging fun, physical activity while introducing and exploring
some core team building concepts. Ask the group to lower a long pole to the
ground while keeping all of their fingers in contact with the pole at all times –
more difficult than it first appears!
4 Autocratic (Authoritarian)
Manager retains power (classical approach)Manager is decision-making authorityManager does not
consult employees for inputSubordinates expected to obey orders without explanationsMotivation
provided through structured rewards and punishmentsAutocratic Leadership is often considered the
“classical approach,” but this leadership style has been greatly criticized during the past 30 years.
Often referred to as the Authoritative Style, or Directive Style, it relies heavily on old ideas and
beliefs. Put simply, the style communications….”the leaders is the boss.”Often, people tend to think
of this style as a vehicle for yelling, using demeaning language, and leading by threats and abuse of
power. Those ideas are not the authoritative style, but the structure and limited follower participation
leaves one not to be surprised by those accusations. The main ideas that circulate around Autocratic
Leadership are:It uses the classical approach where the manager retains as much power and
decision-making authority as possible.The manager does not consult employees, nor are they
allowed to give any input. There is a one-way flow of communication.Subordinates are generally
expected to obey orders without any explanations.The motivational environment is produced by
creating a structured set of rewards and punishments.Notice that the description of Autocratic
Leaders use the term, managers. Autocratic Leadership fits nicely in to the ideas of management
where it is expected that subordinate obedience results from orders and expectations set by the
leader. On the flip-side, the term subordinate is used—showing that the relationship between leaders
and followers is strictly business.Some studies say that organizations with many autocratic leaders
have higher turnover and absenteeism than other organizations. Certainly Gen X employees have
proven to be highly resistant to this management style.These studies say that autocratic leaders:--
Rely on threats and punishment to influence employees--Do not trust employees--Do not allow for
employee inputYet, autocratic leadership is not all bad. Sometimes it is the most effective style to
use.
14 The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.
Woodrow Wilson
23 Transformational cont.
Instils feelings of confidence, admiration and commitmentStimulates followers intellectually, arousing
them to develop new ways to think about problems.Uses contingent rewards to positively reinforce
desirable performancesFlexible and innovative.While it is important to have leaders with the
appropriate orientation defining tasks and managing interrelationships, it is even more important to
have leaders who can bring organizations into futures they have not yet imagined. Transformational
leadership is the essence of creating and sustaining competitive advantage.
24 When to use Transformational
When leaders want members to be an active part of the organization and have ownership to itWhen
leaders are building a sense of purposeWhen the organization has a long term planWhen people
need to be motivatedToday, the phrase, “the only constant is change,” seems truer and truer.
Change is inevitable, therefore, we should seek leadership and use leadership styles that embrace
change.Changing organizations to be motivational when members are resistant, to be purposeful
when members are not directed, and to be visionary for long term goals. Transformational leadership
can be one of the best resources for organizational change.Because it lends itself to successful
change, the latest paradigm shift has directed scholars toward focusing on transformational
leadership more than they ever have.