Over the past year, WNY People Development’s most requested workshop has been “Leading Across Generations”. Everyone seems to be trying to figure out how to work together amidst this perception that, due to our ranges in age, we are too different, have too little in common to “get” each other, or if you don’t do it my way you’re “wrong”; holding on to these beliefs can make teamwork really difficult, impossible even, but with five generations in the workplace, we need to be proactive and try to figure it out.
I’ve got news for you…it’s not that complicated, it just takes time, active listening, an open mind, and sometimes leaders need to step in.
To overcome the variety of bias we carry, we need to get to know each other, find commonalities, and learn how we can best support each other in the work we do. However, we are creatures of habit, and tend to stay in our comfort zones, which can prevent growth and innovation.
If you lead a team, and relationship building isn’t your strong suite, this blog is for you! Today I am sharing a simple, inexpensive strategy you can implement at your next team meeting to facilitate new connections and understanding.
Think about your conference room. I am going to assume that members of your team sit in the same seat every time, right? If we are sitting in the same spot, we are talking to the same people, and chances are, those we choose to sit beside are already part of our work “squad”. This configuration doesn’t allow for mingling, learning, or building, and outside of that conference room, can contribute to miscommunication, conflict, and even retention issues.
So I have a suggestion…we’re about to play a little game of cards—literally!
Cards are the unsung heroes of team-building activities. They’re versatile, and definitely more interesting than another round of “trust falls” (no offense to trust falls, but they’re so 2009).
We’re going to use a standard deck of playing cards to create connection on your team. Picture it… you’re in a room filled with brilliant minds, and you want to mix things up. Instead of letting everyone sit with their usual buddies (you know, the people they’ve been sharing coffee breaks with since the dawn of time), we’re going to shuffle things around!
1. Prepare the Deck: Grab a deck of cards—yes, the same ones you occasionally use to impress your friends with your poker face. You can pick them up at a dollar store, online casino resale warehouse, or raid your grandparent’s side table.
2. Deal the Cards: As each member of the team walks through the door, hand them a card. Make sure to mix it up! No one should know who else has what card. Bonus points if you make a joke about how you’re not giving anyone an “ace” up their sleeve—because let’s be real, we’re all here to win at the game of teamwork, not poker!
3. Group Formation: Call out the ranks and suits one by one. For example, “All the hearts sit on this side of the table, all the spades over there!” Watch team members shuffle together into diverse groups. Suddenly, the quiet accountant is chatting away with the bold marketer, and the IT guru is bonding over snacks with the HR whiz. Magic, right?
4. Encourage Conversations: Give each group a prompt to discuss. Maybe it’s “How do you relax?” or “If given the opportunity to go to outer space, would you take it? Why or why not”, or “What was your first job, and what did you learn from it that you still apply in your role today?” This isn’t just about building relationships; it’s about bringing out unique perspectives each person brings to the table (or card game).
By mixing up teams, you’re not only fostering relationships but also creating a rich tapestry of ideas. Imagine the innovation that could spring from a conversation between the person who knows how to code and the person who knows how to sell! It’s like a recipe for success, and we all know that diversity of ideas is the secret sauce, but sometimes we need a little nudge to start the conversation.
Repeat the process, and switch up the room again, partnering like numbers or colors (Sidenote, depending on the size of your team, you’ll need to be intentional about cards utilized for this activity so no one is left without a pair. My personal preference is to use A, 1, 2, and 3 of all suits for teaming and pairing purposes).
Remember, the goal of this activity is to start conversations that help team members build relationships that ultimately will make your workplace thrive. So go ahead, deal your way to a more inclusive and open environment.
Happy shuffling!
#whynotyou #peopledevelopmentwithpurpose #thursdaythoughts #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #shuffle #playingcards
Stefanie Adams is a leadership training facilitator, keynote speaker, adjunct professor, former elected official, wife, and mother based in Wilmington, NC. She earned her M.Ed. in Multicultural Education in 2008, and has over 20 years experience leading and training in corporate, non-profit, and government settings. Her passion is developing emerging leaders, building collaborative teams, and creating positive workspaces as Chief Empowerment Officer of WNY People Development. On 11/12/2024, her book “CheerLEADERship: Strategies to Build and Support Human-Centric Workplaces for the Future” will be released through Amplify Publishing.
Launched in February 2020, WNY People Development provides virtual and in person training, coaching, and keynote speaking topics for leaders at all levels, and organizations of all sizes. WNY People Development partners with clients to develop relevant, impactful, and skill building training options for employees, particularly front line and first time leaders, Millennial and Gen Z workforce; we create programming that drives improved culture and morale, builds competencies, engages teams, and propels growth through interactive, relevant, and fun sessions. A La Carte courses, and service agreement options available depending on client need. Learn more at www.wnypeopledevelopment.com
