Purpose: To develop communication skills among teams
Size: Teams must be at least 5 people
Requirements: A facilitator, teams, prioritization worksheet for each person
Click here to download documents
Process:
1. Read the beginning and explanation.
2. Distribute worksheets and allow time for the individuals to prioritize on their own in column #1 of the worksheet.
3. Join the individuals with their teams and allow time for them to complete column #2 of the worksheet.
4. Read the expert’s analysis to everyone and have them fill in column #3 as you read.
5. Give them time to calculate columns #4 and #5
6. Give the teams time to discuss the questions to consider in teams or as one large group.
SURVIVAL |
You and your companions have just survived the crash of a small plane. Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. It is mid-January , and you are in Northern Canada. The daily temperature is 25 below zero, and the night time temperature is 40 below zero. There is snow on the ground, and the countryside is wooded with with several creeks criss-crossing the area. The nearest town is 20 miles away. You are all dressed in city clothes appropriate for a business meeting. Your group of survivors managed to salvage the following items: A ball of steel wool Your task as a group is to list the above 12 items in order of importance for your survival. List the uses for each. You MUST come to agreement as a group. |
EXPLANATION Mid-January is the coldest time of year in Northern Canada. The first problem the survivors face is the preservation of body heat and the protection against its loss. This problem can be solved by building a fire, minimizing movement and exertion, using as much insulation as possible, and The participants have just crash-landed. Many individuals tend to overlook the enormous shock reaction this has on the human body, and the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot increases the shock. Decision-making under such circumstances is extremely difficult. Such a situation requires a strong Before taking off, a pilot has to file a flight plan which contains vital information such as the course, speed, estimated time of arrival, type of aircraft, and number of passengers. Search-and-rescue operations begin shortly after the failure of a plane to appear at its destination at the estimated time of arrival. The 20 miles to the nearest town is a long walk under even ideal conditions, particularly if one is not used to walking such distances. In this situation, the walk is even more difficult due to shock, snow, dress, and water barriers. It would mean almost certain death from freezing and exhaustion. At temperatures of minus 25 to minus 40, the loss of body heat through exertion is a very serious matter. Once the survivors have found ways to keep warm, their next task is to attract the attention of search planes. Thus, all the items the group has salvaged must be assessed for their value in signaling the group’s whereabouts. The ranking of the survivors items was made by Mark Wanvig, a former instructor in survival training for the Reconnaissance School of the 101st Division of the U.S. Army. Mr. Wanvig currently conducts wilderness survival training programs in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. This survival simulation game is used in military training classrooms. |
RANKINGS 1. Cigarette lighter (without fluid) 2. Ball of steel wool 3. Extra shirt and pants for each survivor 4. Can of Crisco shortening 5. 20 x 20 foot piece of canvas 6. Small ax 7. Family size chocolate bars (one per person) 8. Newspapers (one per person) 9. Loaded .45-caliber pistol 10. Quart of 100 proof whiskey 11. Compass 12. Sectional air map made of plastic How to score |
Questions to consider:
- Who took the lead?
- Was everyone equally involved?
- Did the people with the lowest individual scores speak up? If not, why not?
- Did you come to a consensus by filling them out in order or did you start with 1-4 and then go to 15-11?
- What does this say about your communication skills?
- Did the people who were wrong talk the most?
- Why didn’t you speak up?
- Does anyone have a difference of 8 or more? What item? Who got that item right in your group?