A card based logic puzzle designed to show the need for both task orientation and group maintenance behaviours.

The exercise tests the ability of leaders and team members to remain aware of the motivational state of their colleagues and to ensure the experience is rewarding for all participants.  The exercise is designed for groups of 8-12 members and comes complete with enough cards for two groups.

This is a flexible exercise which can run for between 45 and 90 minutes depending on the group dynamics and outcome required.

Objective

To illustrate how neglect of the group maintenance function can damage the effectiveness of a group.

It will:

• increase participants sensitivity to the needs of their fellow team members;
• improve participants team management skills;
• increase participants understanding of group dynamics.

How it works

The tutor introduces the exercise and hands the group a set of twenty six cards each of which contains a different piece of information. The cards define the geographical area of five houses and five owners of different nationalities. Each garden has a different tree and each owner drives a different make of car and prefers a different drink. The group's objective, using deduction and logic testing, is to discover who owns the fig tree and who drives the Porsche.

The group experience is likely to involve a cycle of enthusiasm; action; disappointment; reorientation; and renewed enthusiasm. Levels of motivation are always changing, and initiatives come from different group members. Keeping the team together as an effective problem solving unit is a real challenge. Once the task has been completed, or abandoned, the review session can explore the factors that affected the motivation of team members and increased/decreased their determination to solve the problem.

What participants will be doing

Attempting to solve a complex logic puzzle communicated to them on twenty six separate cards.

For what levels is it appropriate?
All teams and team leaders, students of group dynamics.

Included

Tutor manual; Problem cards; Post exercise discussion questionnaire and all supporting documentation.