Leadership

GET THE IDEA?
Form IDEA Teams

Overview of Activity
Small groups that can process the large concepts presented in the Leadership Training area are a valuable way for participants to practice through exercises. “IDEA” stands for Innovation, Development, Enthusiasm, and Application—all ways that the participants can build their teams.


Objective
To introduce the IDEA team concept and explain how it will be used during the workshop.

Setting Up the Activity
GROUP SIZE
Up to 20 participants
ESTIMATED TIME
30 minutes to 1 hour
TRAINING METHODS
 Discussion
 Art project
MATERIALS
A large sign that reads “IDEA”
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
These will vary, depending on which team building activity you select.
ROOM SET-UP
Any seating arrangement is acceptable.
Comments

      If your leadership program extends over several days or is conducted in two or more sessions, create small groups of 5 to 7 people who will meet periodically throughout the program’s duration to work on a problem or case study, debrief the module, and generally lend support to one another. The small groups can remain together and form a Professional Resource Group, as suggested in Activity 14.

Trainer’s Notes for Activity 2

ADVANCE PREPARATION

     Decide how you will form the IDEA teams. Either set up heterogeneous groups in advance, or let the participants decide when you start the activity who will be in which group. If the participants know one another well, and it is important for people to work with those from the same department, then it would be best to let them choose their own group. If the participants don’t know one another, it would be helpful for the trainers to make up the groupings in advance.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE

   Step 1: Provide an overview of the purpose and use of IDEA teams in your program.

       ⬌ The IDEA groups will give participants an opportunity to discuss issues, complete assignments, and share program experiences in smaller groups.
       ⬌ The IDEA teams will act as support groups for participants throughout the program.

  Step 2: Explain how the name IDEA was derived, using the large sign. Discuss what each letter means as you talk about the importance of the following four words and how they relate to your workshop:
         I = Innovation
Leaders recognize the need for change and continuous improvement so they can lead others in creating innovations. In this workshop, you will experience some innovative and creative learning methods.
         D = Development
Leaders encourage and provide resources for their followers’ development and their own. In this workshop, you are experiencing professional development first hand.
         E = Enthusiasm
Leaders need to display enthusiasm and a positive attitude, even during challenging times. In this workshop, we will create a positive environment to enhance your interpersonal relationships and accelerate your learning.
         A = Application
Learning is incomplete without the opportunity to apply what has been learned. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to apply what is presented.

   Step 3: Organize participants into teams and immediately assign a team-building exercise or a task. Have participants meet in their IDEA teams once each day to complete tasks within selected modules.

Step 4: The IDEA groups you have just joined will give you an opportunity to discuss issues, complete assignments together, and share program experiences periodically. Your IDEA teams will also provide any additional support throughout the program. Additionally, use these groups to discuss workplace issues that may arise.

POST-ACTIVITY REVIEW

Take time shortly after conducting this activity to reflect on how it went, how engaged the participants were, and what questions they raised. Then, make notes that include how much time you actually spent on the activity