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.