Vacation in the Keys Facilitator Set

£158.50 excl VAT

Category: Simulations
Code: 234G

Includes facilitator guide, workshop instructions, sample participant materials, and PowerPoint presentation

Learning Outcomes

• Learn how to manage and resolve group conflict

• Hone group problem-solving skills

• Improve communication

• Discover the advantages of consensus decision making

Theory

Actual boating experiences, along with input from Navy Seals and other experts, contributed to the development of Vacation in the Keys, a survival simulation that demonstrates “team synergy” — the belief that decisions made by groups are better than decisions made by individuals acting alone (Michaelson, Watson, & Black, 1989). Groups bring a greater sum total of knowledge and information to the discussion of a problem, as well as a greater number of approaches and perspectives. The simulation can also demonstrate “process loss.” This phenomenon occurs when a knowledgeable group member outperforms the group, indicating that the member’s knowledge was lost sometime during the group discussion. In order for group decision-making to work, unique information must be shared and absorbed by the group (Stasser, 1992).

How It Works

This powerful round-table simulation challenges teams to rank 15 salvaged items — first as individuals, and then as a team. As the facilitator, you’ll begin the exercise by introducing the adventure scenario. Participants will then rank the salvaged items on their own, using pressure-sensitive scoring forms. Next, each team conducts the same ranking process as a unit. Finally, you’ll lead the participants into a group action planning discussion, providing the team with the opportunity to apply the learning to the workplace.

Uses for Vacation in the Keys

• Illustrate the concept of team synergy

• 'Break the ice' among new or conflicted teams

• Give teams a non-threatening opportunity to work together

• Help teams practice consensus decision making

• Improve active listening, probing, and confronting behaviours in a realistic setting

• Train team leaders in team facilitation skills

• Open or close a learning session

• Introduce an organisational change, such as the transition to self-managing teams

• Interject a fun activity into an otherwise serious agenda

• Assess group member competence

• Supplement outdoor experiential learning

Product Contents

Order one Facilitator Guideper trainer and one Participant Guide per team member.

Note: Vacation in the Keys works best when participants are divided into teams of seven or fewer per table.

Facilitator Guide includes:

• Administrative guidelines

• 2-hour workshop design NEW!

• Expert rationale

• Experiential learning/training methodology

• Training design options NEW!

• CD-ROM containing Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation, reproducible masters, and color slides of scenario location NEW!

• Updated page layout NEW!

• Sample copy of Participant Guide NEW!

• 2-hour workshop design with detailed preparation checklist and step-by-step facilitator instructions

• Convenient binder format NEW!

Attribute name Attribute value
FORMAT Simulation
OBJECTIVE Build the skills for teams to achieve synergy
AUDIENCE All teams
TIME REQUIRED 2 Hours
AUTHOR HRDQ Research & Development Team