How It WorksFollowing the introduction of the survival scenario, participants are challenged to rank 15 salvaged items - first as individuals and then a second time as a team. Participants compare their team scores to their best individual score and expert rationale to determine if synergy was achieved.
The two-hour workshop explores the concept of synergy and helps teams to develop vital group-process skills such as decision making and problem solving. The exercise also includes an introduction to three elements of synergy, a five-step problem-solving technique, four critical group maintenance skills, and the importance of consensus decision making.
Uses and Applications
Vacation in the Keys can be used as a standalone training instrument or incorporated into a more comprehensive program on team building. It's also effective as a component for problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills training programs. Use the survival simulation to:
- Illustrate the concept of team synergy.
- "Break the ice" among new or conflicted teams.
- Give teams a nonthreatening opportunity to work together.
- Help teams practice consensus decision making.
- Improve active listening, probing, and confronting behaviors in a realistic setting.
- Train team leaders in team facilitation skills.
- Open or close a learning session.
- Introduce an organizational change.
- Interject a fun activity into an otherwise serious agenda.
- Supplement outdoor experiential learning.
Learning Outcomes
- Hone group problem-solving skills using a five-step process
- Understand the critical interpersonal skills
- Learn how groups make decisions
- Discover the advantages of consensus decision making
- Learn the three elements of synergy
Vacation in the Keys is an excellent training tool for any team, and it's particularly effective as an energizer or ice breaker at the beginning of a training program.