~ John Quincy Adams
(I saw this tagline on my friend Yolanda's email, and I had to share it with you!)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Am I a Leader?
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
(I saw this tagline on my friend Yolanda's email, and I had to share it with you!)
(I saw this tagline on my friend Yolanda's email, and I had to share it with you!)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Preview of Our Next Book - Building Character from the Start
Here's the cover art for our next book - I thought you might enjoy a sneak peek. :)You can also see a teaser of the content here.
We just finished editing the text, so we're getting closer to the finished product. Next steps will be finishing the graphic work, page layout, print, marketing, and the release date in August.Whoo-hoo!!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT
An excerpt from Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting, Zero-Prep Team Builders for All Ages by Susan Ragsdale and Ann Saylor. © 2007 Search Institute
STAGE 1: STARTING OFF RIGHT
Every group has a beginning. How they begin is important. Starting a group off right can save you from having to go back later to do damage control or try to re-establish connections that didn’t take the first time.
STAGE 2: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Relationship building is on-going. Natural changes within group dynamics can impact group bonding. This calls for attention and care to be given to intentionally engaging, energizing and strengthening group identity on an on-going basis.
STAGE 3: BECOMING A TEAM
With time, groups evolve from many individuals into a cohesive unit. This happens as friendships develop and trust takes root. Groups need to discover and develop their team identity through team builders that require trust, cooperation, communication and working together.
STAGE 4: DEEPENING TRUST
Deepening trust is vital to the health and cultivation of successful teams. Thriving teams must stretch beyond their comfort zones and dare positive risks, both emotionally and physically. The rewards are self-discovery, confidence, group cohesiveness, confidence in voicing opinions and achieving goals.
STAGE 5: CHALLENGING THE TEAM
With established trust comes the ability to tackle new risks, further develop leadership skills, practice critical thinking and decision-making skills and resolve conflicts. Teams are put to the test through challenging, stress-induced activities that call for various leadership strengths and styles.
STAGE 6: AFFIRMING GROWTH & CELEBRATING SUCCESSES
Transitions offer opportunities to reinforce established bonds, recall important moments, group experiences, learning and growth. They also provide a time to celebrate talents, time together, successes and positive group identity. Marking these moments lets the group experience real affirmation and accomplishment.
Within Great Group Games, we have given instructions and reflection questions for 175 games that correlate with these 6 stages. The games will help usher your team or group through all 6 stages of group development.
STAGE 1: STARTING OFF RIGHT
Every group has a beginning. How they begin is important. Starting a group off right can save you from having to go back later to do damage control or try to re-establish connections that didn’t take the first time.
STAGE 2: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Relationship building is on-going. Natural changes within group dynamics can impact group bonding. This calls for attention and care to be given to intentionally engaging, energizing and strengthening group identity on an on-going basis.
STAGE 3: BECOMING A TEAM
With time, groups evolve from many individuals into a cohesive unit. This happens as friendships develop and trust takes root. Groups need to discover and develop their team identity through team builders that require trust, cooperation, communication and working together.
STAGE 4: DEEPENING TRUST
Deepening trust is vital to the health and cultivation of successful teams. Thriving teams must stretch beyond their comfort zones and dare positive risks, both emotionally and physically. The rewards are self-discovery, confidence, group cohesiveness, confidence in voicing opinions and achieving goals.
STAGE 5: CHALLENGING THE TEAM
With established trust comes the ability to tackle new risks, further develop leadership skills, practice critical thinking and decision-making skills and resolve conflicts. Teams are put to the test through challenging, stress-induced activities that call for various leadership strengths and styles.
STAGE 6: AFFIRMING GROWTH & CELEBRATING SUCCESSES
Transitions offer opportunities to reinforce established bonds, recall important moments, group experiences, learning and growth. They also provide a time to celebrate talents, time together, successes and positive group identity. Marking these moments lets the group experience real affirmation and accomplishment.
Within Great Group Games, we have given instructions and reflection questions for 175 games that correlate with these 6 stages. The games will help usher your team or group through all 6 stages of group development.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sneak Peek into the "Great Group Games" book
Get a free sneak peek into our "Great Group Games" book. This is a really cool website that lets you preview books. Click here to see 21 pages of our book.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Free shipping on Great Group Games and other Search Institute products
FREE Shipping on any searchinstitutestore.org order through Wednesday 3/4/09
That means you can get Great Group Games and your other favorite Search Institute products without paying shipping fees!
That means you can get Great Group Games and your other favorite Search Institute products without paying shipping fees!
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