Creative teams: an experiential activity.

BACKGROUND

Staff development educators in a Department of Education & Development were seeking a creative activity to reinforce the qualities of effective teams.

METHOD

Staff development educators developed an experiential activity that provides an opportunity to observe team behaviors by introducing several glitches into a goal-oriented team project. Later, observed team behaviors were explored with the group.

RESULTS

The activity allowed participants to practice collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills while functioning as a team.

CONCLUSION

This activity, which is easily adaptable to any audience, creatively integrates the principles of adult learning to provide participants with an opportunity to discuss and practice behaviors necessary for teamwork in the current health care settings.