The Team Compass Challenge is designed to help teams explore and align on essential elements of collaboration, such as roles, shared goals, personal aspirations, strengths, and action plans. The game leverages metaphorical imagery and interactive elements to allow participants to visually and practically understand each team member’s purpose and potential contributions, fostering a cohesive and high-functioning team environment.
When to Use This Facilitation Game Play
This facilitation game is ideal for new project kickoffs, team-building sessions, or any time a team is forming or re-aligning. It’s also perfect for teams revisiting their shared goals, values, and action plans in a reflective and interactive way.
Game Setup
To bring The Team Compass Challenge to life, use your chart with various labeled sections, representing essential team-building elements like roles, goals, values, strengths, and weaknesses. Each section will represent a different “zone” for the game, guiding participants on a journey through their team dynamics.
You’ll need:
A large printed or digital version of the chart
Post-it notes and markers
Dice (to determine tasks for different sections)
Dot stickers (for voting)
A timer
Optional: Small tokens or icons representing different roles or values
To purchase facilitation charts similar to this one, visit this link and explore other tools and resources.
Facilitation Game Phases
Phase 1: Setting the Stage – “The Team Map”
Instructions:
Start by gathering everyone around the chart and explain the game’s objective. Each zone of the chart represents a key area to be discussed and explored, helping the team create a cohesive understanding of each area.
Hand each participant a set of Post-its and a marker.
Explain that each person will have a chance to “roll the dice” to select a zone (e.g., Roles, Goals, Value) where they’ll contribute their insights first.
When a participant rolls the dice, the result will correspond to one of the chart’s sections (1 for Roles, 2 for Goals, etc.).
For the selected zone, each participant will use their Post-its to write down a contribution.
For example, in the Roles section, they could write their primary role or any cross-functional roles they envision themselves supporting.
After placing their Post-it in the selected zone, they’ll share a brief description with the group.
Optional: Add a timer set to 1-2 minutes for each explanation, encouraging concise, focused input.
Time: 20-30 minutes
Phase 3: Prioritize & Align – “Dot Vote for Direction”
Instructions:
Once everyone has shared in each section, distribute dot stickers for a voting round.
Participants will place their dot stickers on the Post-its they feel are most aligned with the team’s priorities or that resonate most with the team’s goals.
The most voted items in each section represent the team’s aligned focus, values, and objectives.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Phase 4: Action & Accountability – “Building the Path Forward”
Instructions:
Move to the Action Plan zone on the chart. Ask each participant to suggest one action they can personally take or an area of focus they can help drive forward.
Use the timer to keep this phase brisk. Each participant has one minute to share their action commitment.
Optionally, use tokens to track these commitments, creating a visual pathway of ownership on the chart.
For a deeper dive into facilitating these kinds of exercises, consider exploring our certification course designed to enhance your visual facilitation skills.
Time: 10 minutes
Wrap-Up & Reflection
Instructions:
Finish with a reflection round. Invite participants to share one takeaway from the session and one area they feel has gained more clarity.
Take a group photo (if appropriate) of the completed chart as a reference for future sessions.
Time: 5-10 minutes
Tips for Success
Consider adding a “wildcard” option on the dice, where participants can choose any zone they wish to contribute to.
Use metaphorical images or tokens related to each zone’s theme (e.g., a ship for the “Roles” zone to represent sailing together toward common goals).
For more on facilitation methods, this visual guide provides additional strategies and insights (no follow link).
This activity encourages teams to explore their dynamics openly and prioritize actions collectively, ensuring everyone’s strengths, goals, and values are visible and aligned.
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.
