Activity to Discover What Team Members Need from You in Team Building
Our moods and needs can change. Sometimes they swing wildly and other times they shift gradually. What we need one moment in the day, might be vastly different than what we need later.
The dynamic nature of people is what makes relationship building and team interactions complex. We naturally look for patterns in how others work and begin to tell ourselves stories about what they need. Sometimes we get it right, but other times we don’t.
It is powerful information when a team member tells you what they need. If you choose to honor that need, it will build trust and strengthen the relationship.
This team activity, which can also be done in a one-to-one conversation, provides valuable information about what each person needs are so there is no guessing involved.
You simplify ask everyone to complete the following sentence:
- “Today, I need… from you, please.”
It is Ok for the speaker to switch the words up, but be sure they all say “I need…”
Here are some examples for this team building activity:
- Today, I need grace from you, please.
- Related to my performance, I need you to be candid with me.
- This week, I need patience from you.
- I need you to listen to me before you respond.
Once a need is shared, it’s OK to ask questions to clarify what they need. In fact, this statement can be a door opener to a deeper understanding of others.
What do YOU need today?
Summary
This team-building activity helps you discover what team members need from you. It’s important to discover what the individual needs of your team are in order to improve your relationships and build trust.
About the Author: Leigh Ann Rodgers, Founder of Better Teams and the Forward, community, is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator with 20 years of experience in the human development field. Leigh Ann is a skilled meeting facilitator, trainer, and coach working across the globe to help leaders cultivate teams that are happy and high-performing.
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