The LähiTapiola Group serves its customer-owners in matters of insurance, investment and savings. Our core mission is to help our owner-customers secure their lives and businesses through comprehensive and proactive safety, health and financial services.
Several SmoothTeam simulations have been played at LähiTapiola with different teams. I myself have participated in the simulations several times and played the role of both player and game manager. The simulation has always been a positive experience and has left me with the feeling that it could be used more.
Building trust helps to get results from team development
Building trust is the foundation for developing teamwork. This is very much the case in SmoothTeam.
In a simulation, the story and the context create a positive and appreciative atmosphere from the start. Simulations make players equal, as everyone has equal strengths in self-assessment. It has also been nice to see that everyone gets to name names in situations and have the opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them.
It is essential for the development of cooperation that we dare to disagree. This requires knowing and trusting your teammate within the team. The best way to learn is to work together and think things through. That's when development happens.
Also work for the legal team
The first simulation was for one of our legal team and I must admit I was a bit nervous beforehand. How would a group of lawyers react to a simulation? It is typical that the attitude towards team development and related activities is one of "oh well, here we go again, I wonder what HR has come up with now..." but the simulation was a great success and the first person was also very happy with the event.
Good technology helps the facilitator
The technical side of SmoothTeam is wonderfully simple. As a game leader, you can really focus on listening and facilitating the conversation. In addition, the additional questions in the instructions help to deepen the discussion. It can sometimes be a challenge to keep track of time and progress if the team is stuck in one place for too long.
Immediate print reports are also an absolute advantage. It saves a lot of working time not having to do it manually and it also serves as a good memory for the players.
The team's sceptic also liked
This autumn, we played another simulation with my new team. It was one of the highlights of our team's kick-off day, and this time I played the role of a player. I was especially happy that the sceptic in our team liked it too!
The simulation helped us to get to know each other better, which was especially important for me as a new chaperone. It also fitted in well with the mood of the day.
Everyone learns new things from each other, even those who have been on the team for longer. This will certainly support our future cooperation and is also useful for building trust.
SmoothTeam stands out
I can recommend SmoothTeam quite widely. It stands out from many other methods of team development. I also believe that in the aftermath of Corona, the pressure for meaningful and structured participatory work has increased and more is expected of the time teams spend together.
SmoothTeam simulation is fun and impressive to do! The simulation is suitable for new teams as well as expert teams and is a great starting point for developing collaboration.
Kirsi Leskelä-Kelkka
Business Director, LähiTapiola
