CHAPTER 1

Virtual Team-Building Games for the Forming Stage

None of us is as smart as all of us.

—Japanese Proverb

The Forming Stage

This is the polite, get acquainted, and "get to know each other" stage. This iswhere team members begin to figure out who's who, and where everyone fits intothe picture. Typically, this takes place at the opening meeting or even anorientation session. For a virtual team, get a head start on this stage byproviding the team with each team member's qualifications and backgroundinformation so everyone has an understanding of why the individuals were chosenfor the team.

For traditional teams, the forming stage includes both the actual time spent inmeetings and the informal gatherings and discussions in and around the initialmeetings. For virtual teams, these informal connections have to be planned forand strategically incorporated early on into team conference calls. The goal isto create an environment that is safe and secure. Because the team also looksfor guidance and direction in this stage, the leader must ensure that the team'spurpose is clearly communicated and understood by all team members. At thisbeginning stage, it's essential to get buy-in from all the team members andcandidly and honestly identify the pros and cons of teamwork and team building.This stage is where the team builds their foundation, so time well spent in thisstage will pay off later.

A Map of Our Team

OBJECTIVES

• To build a stronger sense of team identity

• To gain a better understanding of the members of the team

Team Size

Any

Materials

Landmark Suggestion List provided and available for download atvirtualteambuildinggames.com

Time

20 minutes or more

Technology

Google Maps, Bing Maps, MapQuest, or other location-or map-based service.Everyone on the team will need an account to use any of these services.

Procedure

Online collaborative tools give virtual work teams a whole new set of resourcesfor working together and building relationships among members. This activityuses an online location- or map-based service to create an interactive,customized (and private) map that's all about your team and its members.

Shared maps are a great way for team members to visualize where everyone livesand works, and provide opportunities for participants to learn more about theirvirtual teammates.

We suggest following these steps prior to the team meeting:

1. Assign a unique colored marker or pushpin to each team member.

2. Team members can place their pushpins anywhere on the map to identifylandmarks that are related to them.

3. Team members can include as much or as little detail as they would like.

4. Once completed, people can click on the pushpins of their teammates to learnmore about them, including fun facts, professionally relevant facts, informationthat's location-specific, and personal insights.

Landmarks should be as specific as possible and include work- or project-relatedplaces. Using the maximum zoom will ensure your pushpin locations are exact.Ideas for landmarks include:

• The place you currently work

• The location of your corporate headquarters

• The location(s) of key vendors, customers, or clients

Ideally, this game should focus on more personal aspects of team members' lives.In order for teammates to really get to know each other, make sure to includesome nonwork categories for team members to mark on your shared map. Here are afew suggestions:

• Your hometown/where you grew up

• The college you attended

• A place you would like to live

• A place that intrigues you

• Sites of the three most significant experiences in your life

• A place you have visited several times

• The farthest place to which you have ever traveled

• The location of your favorite restaurant

• Where your child was born

• A favorite vacation spot

• All the places you have worked

• The location of your first job

Tips

An easy way to get started: navigate to maps.google.com.

• Click on "My places"

• Click on "Create new map"

Discussion Questions

1. How does sharing more personal information build a stronger virtual team?

2. Is self-disclosure necessary for a virtual work team? If so, what isthe appropriate level of self-disclosure?

3. What are some other things we would like to learn about the membersof our team?

4. How does geography play a role in a person's work style?

All About Me

OBJECTIVES

• To improve camaraderie and connections

• To understand more about the members of the team on a personal level

• To build a deeper level of trust on the team

Team Size

Any

Materials

All About Me Guidelines (provided here, and available for download fromvirtualteambuildinggames.com)

Time

10 to 20 minutes

Technology

Email, word-processing document

Procedure

While this activity is good for any type of virtual team, team members that areworking from different time zones can gain a better sense of team byparticipating in this game. Request that each member of your team create an "AllAbout Me" page (using the guidelines provided; add any other topics that may beof interest or unique to your team). Let them know the purpose of the task is togain a better understanding of the people who make up the team. After receivingall the individual pages, combine them into one document and email it to all theteam members to print out as a reminder of who the people are on theirteam.

Variations

After providing your team with the idea, ask them to submit topics of interestto be included in everyone's "All About Me" documents.

Discussion Questions

No discussion questions are necessary.

GET IT ONLINE!

All About Me Guidelines

Please create a document to help us to get to know you better. Start with yourname and a current picture of yourself. Beneath your picture, complete thesesentences.

• I was born in _________.

• I live in __________ and have lived here for...