Miniguide: Team Kick-off
X-15 pilots clown around - NASA
We form new teams and new projects all the time. Leading a small team kick-off can have a huge impact on the early stages of building a cohesive, high-performing team.
In my usual longer courses on these topics, we dive deep, but I often get questions about the basics—so in this series of mini-guides, I’m keeping things light, simple, and packed with just the essentials for maximum impact! Like an espresso for the brain. Here we go:
Icebreaker: Start with a fun activity to get everyone laughing and relaxed. A little humor goes a long way in setting a positive tone. My own favourites would be:
Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament: Have everyone partner up for a quick series of Rock, Paper, Scissors matches. The winners continue to face off until there’s one champion left. It’s fast, easy, and gets people laughing.
Check-in Round: “If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?” Or “What’s something you’ve done recently that made you feel proud?”
Mission, Vision & Goals: Clearly state the team’s mission, what you hope to achieve, and the concrete goals. Encourage team members to build on these, ask questions, and share their thoughts.
Roles and Responsibilities: Ask each team member to describe how they see their role. Encourage open dialogue—let people ask questions and clarify roles together.
Individual Strengths & Learning Goals: Have everyone reflect on their strengths in teamwork and what they want to improve. Ask them to share how they’d like others to support their growth.
Guidelines for Communication & Collaboration: Reflect on past team experiences—what worked well? Ask the group to write 5-10 concrete guidelines for better communication and collaboration. Challenge them to be as specific as possible.
This will set a strong foundation for a cohesive, motivated, and productive team!