These questions can be used for front-loading – setting up the thoughts before beginning a team-building activity. These questions can also be used to reflect on the team and where they are going.

Open-Ended Questions for Team Building

• What was the first clue that the situation was not going well?
• How did the chaos stop?
• What had to happen before you could start working towards a solution?
• What type of solution were you, as small teams, striving for?
• What are some real examples from your work lives that mirror this activity?
• As a team initiative, which elements of high-performing teams were evident, and which elements needed more emphasis?
• Clarity of purpose and clarity of roles are essential for team performance. How did these two factors influence performance?
• What similarities do you see between this and the workplace?
• Is there anything we want to focus our attention on in future initiatives?
• How did you use your planning time?
• Was everyone incorporated into the planning? If not, why?
• Those of you who did not feel part of the team stopped you from pushing your way in?
• Was a common language created?
• How is this like work?
• How can we implement our learning into the team?
• What strategies did the group develop to implement an effective solution?
• What was the consequence of change during the activity?
• What strategies did the group develop to adjust to change?
• What recommendations does the group have for managing change at work based on the experience?
• How did this activity build trust?
• What changes have you noticed since you finished the stages?
• How did you overcome any anxieties?
• How well did you coach your partner?

Using an open-ended question can raise ideas and create solutions that teams never thought possible. In your next meeting, try some of these questions; they will bring out the power of teams – and the power of facilitation.