Ask Michelle & Chris About Team Building

Just prior to this episode, Michelle had the opportunity to lead an activity training for 18 participants - teaching them how to lead some of the activities in her Table Top Team kit. As a way to contribute some data about programming while safely distancing, she shares with us what she thought about prior to leading the training, some of the activities she led and some of the procedures she follo...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris share five activities teachers (and team builders) can do to start building strong community connections in classrooms, and online, while safely distancing. Creating a safe environment to learn and grow is important. " Without relatedness, no work can get done ." " The more we know about each other, the less likely we are to hurt one another. &quo...

As a follow-up to the last episode, where Michelle shared her writing process, Chris shares his writing path, the folder method and productive writing tips. He never intended to be a 'writer' - his adventures simply started with providing handouts and resources for workshop participants 'back in the day' (the, go-to-the-print-shop-and-make-the-books-yourself-pubishing method)....

In this episode of the 'Ask' podcast, Michelle shares her writing process. She has written both non-fiction ( A Teachable Moment and more...) and fiction (her novel, The Reel Sisters ). In both genres Michelle tells us how she goes from the idea to a book in hand following a similar path. Michelle talks about the power of collaborating with other authors and going solo. (Spoiler - she lo...

Michelle & Chris talk with Dr. Amy Climer about how to create meaningful experiences online. Amy has been delivering online experiences long before the rest of us were 'forced' into the virtual space. After receiving a flood of requests for help in the online space, Amy created a course, ' Leading Engaging Virtual Meetings ' (including Trainings and Webinars) to help with t...

In Part 2 of this three-part series about What's Working for Team Builders Online, Michelle specifically shares Five Tips for Delivering Virtual Keynotes or Playnotes and a few of her go-to activities. Chris also shares some of his successes online and his favorite activity that can be led with any size group at the same time - no breakout rooms required. Virtual team building programs work....

We've had several questions lately asking us about what's working online for team builders. In Part 1 of a three part series to address this question, we invited our good friend John Losey to help us with some answers. John has been a vital part of our online team building learning experiences and has helped dozens of other online team builders learn and grow. John tells us about startin...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris discuss their past and current experiences with using blindfolds. When using blindfolds (within a common mental model), we can awaken other senses, we learn to rely on and trust others to take care of us and we share common experiences. Not using blindfolds (e.g., during 'trust-building' activities) gives us instant choice and holds us accountable for...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris discuss their experiences with physically distancing during a team building activity training with local (Colorado) team builders. " It wasn't as easy as we thought it would be! "  was the overall consensus. Michelle and Chris share their preparations for the training, some activities that can be set up before participants arrive and a variety of...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris share another processing model (a follow-up from last weeks episode) that is easy to learn and leads to effective transfer of learning. Chris, specifically shares how he uses it to build empathy for behaviors that surface during group work. This model also encourages the use of 'closed-ended' questions and 'why' questions as a way of leading-...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris share some thoughts about using the, What? So What? Now What? processing model. Find out about:  Where the model originated (a Historical overview) How they were first introduced to the model Some tools that work well with the model, and  One way the model has evolved We hope you join us! Find the Show Notes with all the resource links HERE Submit a comment or t...

Pairing up participants is one of the primary skills of a team builder. In this episode, Michelle and Chris share some of their favorite pairing practices: Handshakes (check out THESE VIDEOS ) Back-to-Back Using Playing Cards & Distributing the Cards Using ' Rhyming Words ' Puzzle Hog Call Cards , the FUN Stretch Compound Words (& Building Trust) Dominos (& Onimod) Find the S...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris give advice on how to enhance your facilitation skills with additional professional development.   Learn About:  Finding a Mentor or Coach 'Play Days' with other Facilitators Conferences that are more specialized in facilitation Books to help grow your skills Blogs that focus on facilitation CEU's and higher education degrees Online courses Find t...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris explain how to lead five different community connection activities that can take less than five-minutes to play. Perfect for helping your team know each other a little better and a great way to get the brains warmed up for the meeting ahead.  Learn About:  The Ice Breaker Question Exchange Name Letter Opener   Spot It & Ubuntu Cards  Image Card Stories Conve...

In this episode, Michelle and Chris initially share their thoughts about how they name that important time in a program when groups talk about their experience together. Common names are: Processing (Processing the Experience), Debriefing, Reflection, and Reviewing. Then, they go into "kinds" of processing and some of the tools and techniques they use to, "have conversations with pe...

In this episode, we're learning from Michelle about her recent experiences creating, training and leading team building activities virtually. She admits her slow adoption (i.e., resistance) to team building online and then shares how she eventually embraced the challenge and "...now, dare I say, I'm energized by it and actually enjoying it." Her journey (over less than two mont...

Michelle and Chris spend a lot of time with team builders - both face-to-face and virtually (via emails, social media and online programs). Over the last 25+ years they have both fielded a lot of questions during these interactions. As a way to answer even more questions through a different medium and reach team builders all over the world, they decided to produce this weekly podcast. In this Intr...