203 - How to Build Team Performance with Games with Viren Thakrar
Feb 7, 2023
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Viren Thakrar, founder of In The Game, specializes in using games to enhance team development and collaboration. He discusses how play can revitalize learning and foster genuine connections in the workplace. Viren explains the mechanics behind engaging games and how they can facilitate deeper team dynamics, avoiding 'forced fun.' He also emphasizes the importance of understanding individual personalities and aligning team goals for success. His approach proves that joy and purposeful fun can coexist, creating a thriving team culture.
Serious games promote team development by creating safe environments for honest communication, leading to stronger relationships and improved performance.
The distinction between team building and team development emphasizes the importance of ongoing processes that cultivate a positive team culture over time.
Inclusivity in team initiatives is crucial, as intentionally designed social structures help bridge gaps and foster connection among diverse team members.
Deep dives
The Importance of Serious Games in Team Development
Serious games play a crucial role in enhancing team development by promoting collaboration and improving team performance. Unlike traditional team-building activities, serious games engage participants through enjoyable mechanics that foster meaningful conversations. For example, games can create a safe environment where team members are encouraged to share insights and feedback that may otherwise be difficult to express. This dynamic allows teams to address deeper issues while maintaining a sense of fun, ultimately leading to stronger relationships and improved team outcomes.
Distinguishing Team Building from Team Development
Team building and team development, while often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings that can influence how teams work together. Team building typically refers to initial activities designed to form new teams, whereas team development focuses on ongoing processes aimed at enhancing team effectiveness over time. The latter emphasizes cultivating a magnetic team culture that attracts talent and promotes retention. By reframing the conversation around team development, organizations can avoid the negative connotations often associated with team-building exercises and foster a healthier team environment.
Creating Inclusive Team Environments
Inclusivity is a key factor in fostering effective teamwork, and traditional social gatherings, such as Friday drinks, may inadvertently create divisions within teams. The importance of deliberate design in social initiatives cannot be overstated; when these gatherings lack intentionality, they can lead to feelings of exclusion among team members who may not fit the expected mold. To counter these issues, team leaders are encouraged to establish structures that prioritize inclusivity and ongoing interpersonal connections, ensuring that every member feels valued and engaged. This proactive approach can help bridge gaps that often arise in diverse teams.
Understanding Team Dynamics Through Interpersonal Relationships
Developing strong interpersonal relationships is key to improving team dynamics and overall performance. By focusing on interpersonal connections, team leaders can build trust and understanding among team members, which impacts collaboration positively. Understanding individual personality types and working styles can enhance this process, as it helps teammates appreciate diverse perspectives. Ultimately, fostering meaningful connections allows teams to navigate differences, resolve conflicts, and leverage cognitive diversity for improved outcomes.
Facilitation Techniques for Meaningful Conversations
Effective facilitation is essential for guiding teams through challenging conversations, particularly during serious games that encourage openness and vulnerability. Skilled facilitators help teams navigate emotionally charged topics by creating a framework for discussion that focuses on collaboration rather than conflict. By promoting an environment of psychological safety, facilitators enable participants to express their thoughts honestly while ensuring discussions remain constructive. The role of the facilitator is to balance tension and engagement, allowing teams to uncover valuable insights and reach more meaningful conclusions.
The Role of Rhythms and Rituals in Team Development
Establishing rhythms and rituals is fundamental to sustaining team development over time. These regular practices create a predictable framework for teams to engage in meaningful discussions, set goals, and reflect on progress. By implementing structured check-ins and collaborative exercises, teams can consistently reinforce their commitment to ongoing improvement. The emphasis on regular interaction enables teams to maintain momentum and accountability while adapting to evolving dynamics and challenges.
Nothing happens between childhood and adulthood that means we can no longer learn and grow through play, but for some reason we stop using this powerful tool once we get serious and put on blazers and heels.
Viren Thakrar is leading the charge to change this for good, bringing games and fun into team development settings to help participants connect, collaborate, and have some good old fashioned fun.
He’s had more than a little success with his approach and is kind enough to share some of the most impactful learnings so far in this episode. It’s unmissable for anyone interested in new ways of learning, positive motivation, and self-directed growth.
Find out about:
Getting granular about what makes a game a game
Understanding and using gameplay loops to make stickier activities
Why games are the ultimate sandbox for behavioural change
How to avoid the death knell of being labelled as ‘forced fun’
Why games are so effective at getting us into a flow state
Why Viren recommends facilitators come from within an organisation
How to strike a balance between purposeful fun and distraction
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