LESSONS LEARNED

In this post, I share the lessons learned at a thriving teams thriving leaders board retreat.

It was a true team effort!  

With the team-building and leadership exercises equally led by the student leaders and myself.

Please join in and explore the reflection questions, interactive activities, and workshop videos with the teams in your life.

Together Everyone Achieves More!

WHAT HELPS TEAMS FLOURISH & THRIVE?

1. Compassion and Empathy

“It takes both sides to build a bridge.”

Perspective taking exercise.

Discussion Questions:
1. Identify a problem you have faced as a student leader.
2. Determine what’s “below the surface” that could potentially be the source of the problem.
3. Explore the problem from the perspective of the student.
4. Describe the problem and potential solution using both the leader’s and the student’s perspectives.
5. Summarize the lessons and potential opportunities of the original problem. Eg. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about the student?

“Together We Rise.”

2. Conscious Goal Setting

“Goals with Soul.”

Personal and Team goal setting exercise.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are your goals as student leader for the school year?
2. What are your goals as team member for the school year?
3. What are your greatest assets for the team?
4. What areas do you need assistance from the team?

“Teamwork makes the dream work.”

3. Shared Vision

“Your life is your message to the world.”

“What’s Your North Star?” team building exercise.

Discussion Questions:
1. What’s Your Purpose?
2. What Lights Your Way?
3. What Bonds and Unites Your Team?

“What’s Your Why?”

Everyday Leadership

• I encourage you to try our Thriving Teams Thriving Leaders Exercises in your own life.
• Whether it be your family team, your friendship team, your neighbourhood team, your church team, or your sports team.
•  Teams are everywhere!

Assistance from UWSA Team

The videos in this post were filmed with the generous help of student leaders during my THRIVING TEAMS presentation at the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance (UWSA) Summer Board Retreat.

What an incredible group of leaders they are!

Helpful Resources

1. TEDx Talk: Thriving Under Pressure
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czXG8odb7pY
2.  University of Windsor Students’ Alliance (UWSA) website
   http://www.uwsa.ca

“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.”