An easy and amazing team building exercise that only takes 10 minutes to complete

Flipchart sheets and markers (be sure to have markers so that the writing is bright and visible). At the meeting you simply say, “We're going to have a poncho exercise, come to the flip chart and pick up a sheet.” Don't immediately explain what you're going to do - the intrigue adds interest. Then - everything is simple: fold the sheet in half, then again in half, cut a hole for the head - and the poncho is ready! Everyone puts on their ponchos and starts walking freely around the room. Now the most important thing is to take markers and ask everyone to write something on the poncho that they are grateful to each of their coworkers for. If someone doesn't know someone very well, you can simply write “Thank you for your kind smile” or “Thank you for always being supportive.” If you know them better - the thank you can be more specific.

Participants walk around, laugh, write nice words to each other - sometimes a real “train” of people leaving notes on each other's backs forms. The atmosphere becomes warm and positive. When everyone is finished, ask everyone to sit down without taking off their ponchos and quietly read what they have written. No one reads aloud - this is a private moment. After a couple minutes, everyone simultaneously takes off their ponchos and shares their impressions. This is often accompanied by smiles and sometimes tears - so moving is the experience.

This exercise is simple and universal - it's suitable for any team, even if it seems like someone won't want to participate. After all, it's important for everyone to feel recognized and supported.

Team building is cool, but it's important to be able to run meetings in a way that really gets results.