Playing cards sorting exercise - leadership, team-

building, problem-solving, communications

This simple team exercise requires two decks of cards with different distinctive coloured
backs for each team. Remove the three of spades from one of the decks of each team and
store them in an envelope ahead of the exercise. Shuffle the two decks for each team in
advance of the activity and place them face up on a different table for each team. (Ensure
the teams do not see that the backs are different styles.) Split group into teams of between
four and seven people in each team. Do not allow teams to go near the tables at this point.
Ask one member from each team to step out of the room. The facilitator then explains to
these individuals that their responsibility is to pass on the instructions for the exercise to
their teams. Do not mention leadership or that they are leaders in any way.

Instructions: The purpose of the task is as follows. Your team has two separate decks of
cards which I want you to sort into suits and display 'ace-high', ie., aces facing up on the
top of the piles followed by king, queen, etc., down to the two, which should be at the
bottom of each pile. You should have eight piles at the end of the activity. You need to
tell me that the task is correct and complete when you are finished. Are there any
questions? Return to the room and inform groups not to talk until told.

Allow the individuals to re-join their teams. Look at your watch, pause and say 'start
now'. Wander between the groups and keep looking at the watch which should be in your
hand rather than on the wrist.

Observations guide for facilitator - points to review after the activity:

• Use of physical resources - Were the teams able to gather around the table and if
not did they reposition it?
• Human resources - How well were team members involved in the task? Did each
have a role to play, and if not why not?
• Time - There was no time limit given. Did they feel there was one? Was this due
to body language? Did anyone ask about time?
• Competition - Did the teams feel it was a competition between teams and if so
why? What about collaboration? If the teams did not know that the exercise was a
competition then why did the first team to finish not help the remaining teams to
complete the activity? Was the missing card identified? Was the information
shared with all members of the team? Did teams inform you at the end of the
exercise?
• Cards - Were the decks separated first by turning them over so the backs were
visible or were the decks mixed up? If so why?
• Passing on of information and seeking clarification - Did the initially selected
representatives assume the role of leaders? Did an expert leader emerge because
for example they play cards or did leadership rotate.
• Type of leadership - What type of leadership was exhibited? Facilitative,
autocratic, democratic, etc., encourage the teams to discuss this.
You will see other aspects to review, depending on your situation and what happens
during the activity. While this team exercise is quick to play, the discussion and review
can take longer. There are very many aspects of team-working, collaboration,
assumptions, communications, leadership, etc., to explore. You can also encourage the
teams to discuss their experiences in their teams and relate what happened to what
happens in the workplace when working in teams.

Round tables (for delegation, leadership, team building)

Split the group into three teams of five. Around the room (or building) put five tables and
on each table put three sets of materials and instructions for a task - use things like
newspaper bridge building, newspaper towers, playing card sorting, anything that's
complex enough to create a delegation challenge for a team of four plus leader (lots of
ideas for the tasks appear below).

The game is a contest (or time-based race, depending on the scoring system you prefer to
use) between the three teams to complete all five table tasks in turn, only moving from
one to the next when each task is completed, or when time is elapsed.

Every team member takes it in turn to lead their own team and delegate the task activities
as the team moves from table to table. While leading, the leaders are not permitted to take
part in the task other than speak to their team members.

To prepare, you need three sets of five task materials/instructions. Each exercise should
have a time limit (up to you), and there needs to be a clearly understood scoring system
for each task (easiest would be simply 3pts for winner, 2pts for 2nd and 1pt for 3rd).

As the judge, you reserve the right to deduct penalty points for transgressions (eg leaders
participating, or tasks being incomplete or running over time). There needs to be a clear
way to measure the performance of each team for each task, so there can be a clear result
at the end. The extent to which relative performance is visible to all teams at the time of
doing the tasks is up to you - it's a variable factor that changes the nature of the activity
(the less visible the performance the more test for the leader as to what's required to win)
- some tasks could be clearly visible (eg., tower height), others might only be revealed at
the end of the whole activity (eg playing card sorting). Tasks don't all need to be physical
construction. Tasks can be varied, including mental (eg puzzles) or creative (finding
things out), and they don't necessarily need to be done at the table (teams might be
required to go off in search of things in the building - information, or obscure items, like
a mini-treasure hunt). The tables need only be the base points for each task, where the
leader gets the task instructions.
Prior to the activity you should brainstorm with the whole group the relevant
skills/aspects that will be useful in the whole activity, eg: establishing who's good at
what, timing, resource planning, clear instructions, etc. Use these points as a basis for
review afterwards.

After the activity review with participants how they felt when being delegated to do
things - motivation, consultation, participation, encouragement, clarity of instructions,
style of leadership, etc.

Also review experience of the leaders - what was difficult, what could be improved, why
some things are more difficult to delegate than others.

Refer to the notes on delegation and issue these guidelines before or after exercise.

The Leadership Race

This is a very simple leadership activity that can be conducted in schools, colleges and
even workplaces. Make a handout that contains qualities and general statements that
convey the qualities of a true leader. For example " I always take responsibility for my
failures and try and learn from every failure". Distribute these handouts to the
participants and make them stand at a common start line. Now, read out the first sentence
aloud and ask all the participants to judge for themselves whether that sentence holds true
for them, and if it does they can move one step ahead. While taking that step ask
participants to narrate or illustrate a short example to support their assertion. Continue the
activity until you have a winner.

Qualities you should be looking for in a winner of this task: Confidence to accept one’s
positive and negative points and honesty.