Quest for Team Synergy is a collaborative exercise designed to bring team members together to explore their collective purpose, define individual and group roles, and establish actionable goals. This activity leverages a unique visual framework where each section represents a key element of team alignment—from clarifying values to tackling obstacles—enabling teams to set a roadmap for success.
When to Use This Facilitation Game Play
This facilitation game is ideal for team kick-offs, quarterly planning sessions, or any situation where a group needs to align on goals, roles, and values. It’s a dynamic exercise that fosters open discussion, encourages shared vision, and develops practical action plans.
Game Setup
Prepare a visual chart with the following labeled sections:
Introduce each section of the chart to the participants, explaining the metaphor behind each area and how it contributes to the overall journey.
Give each participant Post-its and markers, setting the expectation that they will contribute insights and ideas to each zone.
Optionally, use a die to randomly assign zones to participants to make this first round more interactive.
Time: 10 minutes
Phase 2: Exploration – “Navigating Team Synergy”
Instructions:
Ask participants to take turns selecting a section on the chart to contribute to, sharing insights specific to that area:
Treasure Box (Purpose): Participants write down what they believe the team’s core purpose is.
People & Roles: Team members define their own roles and how they see others contributing.
Sun (Values): Team members share values they feel are central to their collective work.
Obstacles: List any potential risks, weaknesses, or areas for development the team might encounter.
Use a timer to keep each participant’s turn focused (1-2 minutes per person per section).
Time: 20-30 minutes
Phase 3: Reflection & Voting – “Charting a Course with Consensus”
Instructions:
After participants share ideas across the zones, distribute dot stickers.
Invite participants to place their dots on Post-its that resonate the most with them across each zone.
The most-voted items within sections like Purpose, Values, and Team Goals reflect the team’s aligned priorities. These areas of high agreement become the foundation for building a unified action plan.
Time: 10 minutes
Phase 4: Action Planning – “Setting the Sails for Success”
Instructions:
Move to the Rules & Action Plans section. Each participant identifies one action they can commit to that aligns with the team’s purpose, goals, and values.
As participants share their actions, use tokens or markers to symbolize each commitment, visually tracking the team’s progress toward the “treasure.”
Consider using a timer for this round to keep discussions brisk, ensuring each participant has time to contribute.
Phase 5: Wrap-Up & Reflection – “Anchoring Team Commitments”
Instructions:
Conclude with a quick reflection, where each participant shares one takeaway from the exercise and one action they’re committed to following.
Optionally, capture the final chart or any top-voted elements in a photo, so the team can refer back to it as a visual reminder of their commitment.
Time: 5-10 minutes
Tips for Success
Consider adding a “wildcard” option on the dice that lets participants choose any section they wish.
Encourage creativity by using different colored Post-its for different zones to visually distinguish each area’s insights.
For teams interested in advancing their facilitation skills, check out our certification course for in-depth training.
By guiding teams through this structured exploration, Quest for Team Synergy enables teams to gain clarity on their shared purpose, align individual and group goals, and identify concrete actions for overcoming obstacles. This hands-on approach to facilitation encourages participation and fosters a strong sense of collective accountability and motivation.
Piyuesh is the founder of Visual Thinking School, Netherlands. He is passionate about empowering organizations and classrooms with Visual Thinking Skills. He conducts trainings onBusiness Sketchnotes™ , Classroom Sketchnotes™, Visual Business Storytelling™, Graphic Facilitation™
In his free time, piyuesh likes practicing Aerial Yoga, Acro yoga, Krav Maga and Pole workouts.
