1. Understanding how others work
Carly Hanson (Sector Development Officer)
Friday 20 October 2017

2. This session Objective: Activities:
To understand team dynamics and how others work
Activities:
Core qualities quadrant exercise
Reflection: think of a time you’ve had difficulty managing a staff member
Marshmallow challenge
TED talk video
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3. Core qualities quadrant exercise
A. Core strength / quality
B. Pitfall (too much of A)
D. Allergy (too much of C)
C. Challenge (opposite of B)
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4. Core qualities quadrant exercise – Example #1
A. Core strength / quality
Determination
B. Pitfall (too much of A)
Pushiness
D. Allergy (too much of C)
Passivity
C. Challenge (opposite of B)
Patience
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5. Core qualities quadrant exercise – Example #2
A. Core strength / quality
Considerate
B. Pitfall (too much of A)
Pushover
D. Allergy (too much of C)
Forceful
C. Challenge (opposite of B)
Assertive
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6. Core qualities quadrant exercise – Reflection
A. Core strength / quality
What others appreciate with me
What I take for granted with myself
What I expect of others
B. Pitfall (too much of A)
What is disturbing to others
What I accept with other people
What I justify
D. Allergy (too much of C)
What I dislike in others
What I least want to be myself
C. Challenge (opposite of B)
What I lack in myself
What I need to work on
What I wish I had
What I admire in other people
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7. Core qualities quadrant exercise – What does it mean for a team?
When you meet someone who shares your core quality (A):
You’ll respect each other
But under stress, you might turn to nagging
When you meet your opposite (D: allergy):
Often results in contempt
Which makes you vulnerable to your pitfall (B)
People are usually allergic to the exaggerated version of what they need the most (their challenge)
Identifying the person’s core quality behind their pitfall (your allergy) may create a basis of cooperation
Find the balance between core strength (A) and challenge (C):
You’ll become more efficient / effective in your communication and cooperation
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8. What does it mean for a team? Example #1
Determination is your core strength / quality
Patience (C) is your challenge, so it’s difficult to be more like that
The reason is that you dislike passive (D) people, and you’re afraid of becoming like them
Remember, your pitfall, pushiness (B) is someone else’s allergy, passivity (D)
Finding the balance: patiently determined or determined with patience?
That’s why working in a team can be challenging!
Question:
How do you think this exercise might be used as a tool to promote better team work?
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9. Marshmallow challenge!
PRIZE GIVEN FOR THE TALLEST TOWER!
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10. Marshmallow challenge – Rules
Build the tallest freestanding structure: 
Measured from the table top surface to the top of the marshmallow
The structure cannot be suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, ceiling or light
The entire marshmallow must be on top: 
Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team
Use as much or as little of the kit: 
Use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks, as much or as little of the string or tape
Break up the spaghetti, string or tape: 
Teams are free to break the spaghetti, cut up the tape and string to create new structures
The challenge lasts 18 minutes: 
Teams cannot hold on to the structure when the time runs out
Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified
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11. Marshmallow challenge – Debrief
How did your team go about building the tower?
What worked well in the team?
What didn’t work well in the team?
How did your core quadrant qualities play out in action?
What did you learn about this challenge?
TED Talk: Tom Wujec: ‘Build a Tower, Build a Team’
More information:
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12. Core quadrant activity reflection
Reflect on a time when you were in a team situation
In your workplace, working with others in the sector, at university, or elsewhere
How can the core quadrant activity help you reflect on what worked / what didn’t?
Will this knowledge change the way you work in a team in the future?
Share your reflections with the person next to you
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13. Presentation Title and Footer Information (change on Master page) | 13