Maneuver The Minefield: Trust

2.
Maneuver the Minefield

First, blindfold one person in the group. Then, set up an obstacle course or minefield
around them. Next, establish a limited set of words that can be said to help direct the
blindfolded person through the minefield. For example, just four words: left, right,
forward, back.
The object of this leadership game is to guide the blindfolded person through the
minefield without incident. You can do this in the office or outside, but either way
you’re going to develop your communications skills and one of the more elusive
leadership bonds — trust.
3. Stand Up
Here’s a simple one that requires no props. You need only two people, who are sitting
on the floor. They face one another, with the soles of their feet together and holding
hands. The object of this game is to have both players stand up at the same time. It’s a
great way to develop teamwork and trust, while working on problem solving and
collaboration.
4. Improv Night
Improvisation is a good way to get a team to bond, which is one of the responsibilities of a
leader. Improv helps with communication, self-awareness, self-confidence and creativity. Plus, it
helps you pay attention and listen better.
Set up an audience and a group to perform. In the classic improve set up, have the audience
shout out a location, a profession and a situation (like coffeehouse, cop and buying a donut).
Whatever you choose, it’ll be silly, educational and sure to get the creative juices flowing.
6. Shape Shifting
You’ll need a rope, one that has been tied at both ends into a loop. It should be large enough for
everyone to hold with both hands while they stand together in a circle. Now, tell the group to
make a shape, such as a circle, square, triangle, etc. The group then tries to put the rope on the
floor in that shape.
Repeat this and add complexity, asking them to make more difficult shapes, such as a horse,
chicken, etc. Only the catch is, now they must communicate non-verbally, only with hand
gestures. As you continue, remove even the hand gestures for communication. When done,
discuss the experience and explain the importance of communication.
7. Leadership Crest
Some people might not have a family crest, but everyone knows what they are: a visual
representation of that clan’s strengths. It’s something that explains the family. Apply that
same idea to leadership, and have everyone make a crest that represents the values,
beliefs and ideas of a great leader.
Have them break the crest or coat of arms into four categories, leadership skills, values
that help influence others, recent accomplishments and what you like most about your
current work. Which section was easiest? Does anything there reveal something about
you that others might not know? Are the company’s values reflected on the crest?
8. You’re a Poet, and You Didn’t Know It

Writing a poem is a great way to stretch one’s creativity and explore leadership concepts. You
can write the poem yourself or break into small groups, each with the task to think about
leadership in nonlinear ways to discover new perspectives.
Related: 30 Team Building Activities
To offer a bit of direction, require that the poem relate to the five senses, have action words and
discuss abstractions. But when choosing words, make sure they’re specific, meaningful to you
and, of course, poetic (musical and pleasing). Afterwards, have a group discussion and see what
surprising ideas were revealed.
Communication Activities for Teams
1. Negotiate
Activity: Divide you group into teams of three and give each group two one-dollar coins. Now have them decide who gets to keep the
money.
Objective: Finding creative answers to problems.
2. Trading Triangles
Activity: Divide groups into smaller teams, each of which gets an envelope of cards quartered into triangles. They have three minutes
to strategize before trading for eight minutes. Then see who got the most cards.
Objective: See other’s perspective in other to help influence their position.
Related: 20 Icebreakers to Make Your Next Meeting Fun
3. Listen
Activity: Pair up participants, and give them prepared index cards. One person reads the prompt on the card and speaks about the
topic for three minutes. Then the partner, who had remained silent, recaps their talk in one minute. Reverse roles.
Objective: Develop listening skills.
4. Storytelling
Activity: Pair up people. Have one person talk about whatever they like for three minutes without stopping, but without using the word
“I.” The listener remains silent. Reverse roles.
Objective: Show how much talk is self-centered.
members and see how the results differ.
Objective: The importance of clear communications for building strong teams.
6. Sharing Values
Activity: Everyone takes two minutes to write down what they think are the most
important values to the organization. Now divide them into small groups that then have
to share what they wrote and collect those values in posters with pictures, words and
symbols that illustrate those shared values.
Objective: Getting the group to agree on what’s important to all of them.
Related: Teamwork Quotes: The 25 Best Quotes About Working Together
7. Marketing Washers
Activity: Make groups of three to six. Each team has to market thousands of used
washing machines they’ve come to own. Prepare a 30-second sales pitch delivered to
the other teams. Vote on the one most likely to succeed.
Objective: Thinking up creative solutions.
9. Gossip
Activity: One person is the target, who everyone else writes one thing about. Collect the
statements and read one aloud. The target guesses who wrote it. If they guess wrong another
statement is read. This is repeated until the target guesses correctly. That person is the next
target.
Objective: Learn more about who you work with.
14. Reorganize
Activity: Divide the group into two lines facing one another. Pick a category, such as first names,
and have both teams reorganize themselves alphabetically, as fast as they can. Then announce
another category and repeat, and so on.
Objective: Learning about your team to build social connections.
e: 1 - 2 minutes
Number of Participants: Any
Tools Needed: None
Rules: This one is for those of you looking for a great indoor team building game that won't
take up much time. Before a meeting, have each individual walk around and share what they
hope to contribute to the meeting with as many people as possible. If you want, offer a prize
for the person who shares with the most people, and another for the person who successfully
contributes what they shared.
Objective: Improves meeting productivity and makes attendees think about how they're going
to contribute, rather than just what they hope to get out of the meeting.

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Maneuver the Minefield

8. You’re a Poet, and You Didn’t Know It

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