METALOG training tools

The Project. This group challenge was specifically designed for leadership training and team workshops. In the real world, managers are often faced with making decisions based on precious little information. Despite this lack of information, they need to set up and coordinate teams whose task it is to successfully complete the job. Complexity helps you visualize this process, making it literally tangible for your seminar delegates. It allows you to demonstrate the effects of different leadership styles on group efficiency as well as the forces of self-organization in teamwork. Providing surprising insights into interdependencies in teams, this is an exciting task for any group.

How It’s Done. Divide your group into a smaller group of ‘managers’ and a larger work group. You may also want to name 2 or 3 observers who will not take part in the action but can provide valuable input during debriefing.
Management goes to a separate room from where they cannot see the action that will follow. After you have verbally introduced the task, their job is to give the work group a briefing on what to do - without seeing the actual site of activity. The work group gets a number of attempts to accomplish their task. In between rounds, they report back to management and give him/her an update on their progress. This leads to a steady exchange of information. Management is under pressure to provide the group with the best possible leadership in less than optimal conditions.