Simulations improve team chemistry, build cohesion and create an understanding of colleagues' strengths. These will benefit the team, but what can I get as a first person from a simulation? In our experience, a lot!
Simulation makes team dynamics visible
The simulation discussions allow you to see your team from a different perspective than before. The simulation allows you to shake up your own perceptions of your team. Your colleague may not be what you thought, but may be more talkative or quieter than you imagined, or have a funny sense of humour.
The simulation also taught me, as a chaperone, to see what things to keep in mind when leading this group. In a simulation, you quickly get to know people's natural styles. The simulation also helps in managing individuals. For example, it gives you an understanding of what kind of tasks you can assign to whom and what people are passionate about.
The way a team interacts freely without the need for a facilitator is also a good place to observe internal dynamics. Do team members speak their minds unprompted, dare to challenge or ask questions of other team members for clarification? How much of a voice does each team member have?
These are things that tell an observant supervisor a lot about the team and its atmosphere
The most important thing was that I got to know others better. Another very interesting aspect is that I learned to understand how others see me - this information is often not available through any other means and does not come naturally in a conversation.
I remember several simulations where the manager has anticipated that there might be a little friction between certain people. However, the simulation has shown that, in fact, the concern was unnecessary and that these people have great chemistry with each other.
What to pay attention to
The stories in the simulations are engaging and people are often more open to discussion when the conversation is not directly about work. The simulation's story and situations provide structure to the discussion, which also makes for efficient use of time and prevents people from getting bogged down. One simulation lasts a couple of hours, whereas without the simulation it could take a whole day to discuss the same issues.
In the simulation, I learned that although we know each other quite well, we each think of ourselves differently from our colleagues. SmoothTeam revealed hidden and previously unrecognised qualities and values in each of us.
It was also valuable to hear everyone comment on what they needed. These don't come up very well in regular team meetings, although our employees are usually quite open. The simulation sparked a new kind of openness.
The most attentive pre-people also pay attention to how things are said and also to what is not said in the simulation. In many organisations, it is common practice to have various development discussions and team meetings. Reflecting on these experiences, the simulation allows you to see your team members in a different situation, a bit like being a fly on the wall.
It is also important for people to be noticed and known. The simulation gives everyone a chance to talk about themselves and justify their choices.
The front person can also pay attention to things such as what is brought up repeatedly in conversation, whether arguments arise in certain situations and, of course, what positive things are said about colleagues. It is also a good opportunity for the frontline worker to get feedback on their own performance and to ask in-depth questions in a safe environment.
Combined reports for more comprehensive development projects
Each participant receives a report at the end of the simulation. The report serves as a summary and a record of the discussions during the simulation. The report is compiled automatically by the system.
If simulations are run for several teams in the same organisation, reports between teams can also be compared and combined reports can be produced for different teams. Combined reports are a new feature of the simulation platform and will better support larger development projects.
The simulation discussions and reports can be used to highlight areas for development, such as potential skills and recruitment needs and practices related to multi-site working. The report will also clearly highlight the strengths of the team and where each person gets motivated to work.
The simulation helped me to understand that the changes we have made have taken us in the right direction, as I could see how different personalities interact and are part of the work community. As a frontline worker, I want to support employees to grow into their potential, discover their own expertise and use it boldly.
Lasse Silvan, City of Aka
If you are interested in simulations and wonder if they would be suitable for you, send us a message and let's see together! You can also take a look at this few minute video introduction to the topic.
Reetta Koivuniemi
044 035 5855
reetta@smoothteam.net
