Team Building and Cooperation

For any organization, department, or team to perform well, there are foundational skills and capabilities that each individual should be equipped with. The attitude, mindset, and perspective that each person brings also matters. Getting people with different experiences, backgrounds, mindsets, and personalities to work together as a team towards a common goal is a challenge and one that almost every type of organization struggles with. Giving employees tools and skills that help them work with others is a critical part of their personal development and one that can make or break the organization. Many organizations offer workshops to employees that teach and empower them with these necessary skills. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services had an opportunity to deliver a workshop of this nature at a recent event. 

A teambuilding and cooperation workshop was conducted at University Hills Elementary School for the New Mexico School Nutrition Association regional training meeting. The session consisted of four different hands-on activities that each brought different principles to life that foster a sense of team, cooperation, mutual respect, compassion, self-awareness, and communication. Instructions were provided to the group for each activity, the activity was completed, and a de-brief/discussion session was conducted after each of the activities. Participants worked individually, in small groups, and as one large team during the workshop. The lessons from each activity were then applied into real-life work scenarios through discussion. Some of the activities were a challenge and pushed participants to think or communicate in new ways. Participants enjoyed the interactions and had fun in the process.

If you have an organization or meeting that would be interested in a session such as this, please contact your local county extension office.