Team-building Activities for the Digital Age


Book Description

Team-Building Activities for the Digital Age will help you promote interpersonal communication and encourage young people to express their individuality and build face-to-face relationships. The activities use the technology that today's young adults thrive on (including cell phones, social networking sites, MP3 players, blogs, and digital cameras) as an opportunity for education and enlightenment.




Lessons from Mars


Book Description

Lessons from Mars challenges the prevailing orthodoxy of corporate team building and offers an alternative framework along with a set of tools and techniques. Based on the author's 20-plus years of experience working with teams and six years of research specifically on Mars teams, the book offers a unique view into this closely-held private company and how it has unlocked the power of collaboration.




Moose on the Table


Book Description

Failed communications are crippling workplaces across the globe - sapping energy from staff and weakening entire organizations. In this "edutaining" organizational fable, you'll get realistic scenarios and solutions, showing how individuals and organizations should address issues that cost organizations millions or even billions of dollars in wasted effort every year. "...most will recognize the real frustrations and challenges of a corporation, and a life, trying to pull itself back from disaster. I found myself thinking about my actions, or lack thereof, in similar situations from my past and wondering if I, too, could overcome my fear of moose on the table and lead change. Easy and fun to read, Moose on the Table might be just the tale for those about to embark on a quest for change in their own lives or organizations." Laurie Blake, Editor Workplace magazine "I just finished reading your book, Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to Communications @ Work. I honestly couldn't put it down! I loved the book and the storyline. The characters are so true to life. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who can seriously identify with one or more of these characters and situations. You hit the nail on the head (or should I say Moose head) and drove the message home. After reading the book, it has encouraged me to find my moose, work more effectively and have more courageous conversations with not only my own team but top management team members as well. No more going along to get along...that's not the kind of life I want to lead!" Belinda Pianezza, Product Manager HR.com




The Fear of Singing Breakthrough Program


Book Description

A complete how-to guide for "non-singers" or beginning singers who wish they could sing, or fearful singers who long to bring singingback into their lives. Includes Audio Tracks and Videos on Companion Website! Singing is a skill that can be learned, just like any other skill. However, because singing is so primal and meaningful to us as human beings, when we are discouraged, we are discouraged to the core. Our confidence and self-esteem are affected. Most would-be singers stop singing completely, no questions asked. But many who "can't sing," on some level wish they could.... Singing is your birthright. It's never too late to get started! With the Fear of Singing Breakthrough Program You'll: Discover the power of the body-voice connection Learn simple ways to use your breath to support your voice Harness a variety of singing techniques that work with your learning style Demystify basic music theory for singing Start learning how to sing in tune and understand rhythm Learn how to blend in so you can sing with friends and in groups You'll Find: Powerful fear-busting exercises Ice-breakers to get you singing right away Exercises for learning to listen better and match pitch Step-by-step lessons on how to approach any song Real-world suggestions for starting to sing with other people Inspirational ideas about art, courage and self-expression Even if your goals are modest (you're not planning to perform on Broadway or become a professional), feeling comfortable about singing the Happy Birthday Song, or singing around the campfire or at church can make all the difference in the world. In this fun, supportive program you will be guided through techniques to get past your fear, and be taught the foundations of learning how to sing. Tap into the transformative power of singing to experience more confidence, self-expression and joy. Don't let the outdated idea that you are a "non-singer" stop you from joining in one of the healthiest, most expressive and rewarding activities life has to offer. Visit www.FearOfSinging.com What People Are Saying... "For those just beginning to step bravely into the world of singing this book provides a clear, comprehensive and supportive guide toward getting over internal doubt and fear and making the journey into the transformative possibilities of the human voice." - Mary Knysh, Founder of Rhythmic Connections Teacher/Trainer for Music for People "With kindness, playfulness, and heart, Nancy will help you explore your voice and reclaim the joy and courage we all had singing as children." - Shendl Diamond, LikeMinds Press "Salwen's writing is from the heart, and her knowledge is experiential; her range of teaching and singing experience shines through in this approachable and interactive book. Those who love to read a book from cover to cover will find lots of useful information, and those who prefer to jump right in and try things will find handy lists, exercises and tips. Salwen breaks down the skills of singing and helps readers recognize the skills they already have." - Dr. Irene M. Feher, D.Mus. Professor of Voice, Concordia University




Weslandia


Book Description

"This fantastical picture book, like its hero, is bursting at the seams with creativity. . . . a vigorous shot in the arm to nonconformists everywhere" — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Enter the witty, intriguing world of Weslandia! Now that school is over, Wesley needs a summer project. He’s learned that each civilization needs a staple food crop, so he decides to sow a garden and start his own — civilization, that is. He turns over a plot of earth, and plants begin to grow. They soon tower above him and bear a curious-looking fruit. As Wesley experiments, he finds that the plant will provide food, clothing, shelter, and even recreation. It isn’t long before his neighbors and classmates develop more than an idle curiosity about Wesley — and exactly how he is spending his summer vacation.




Monster Hunter International


Book Description

Welcome to Monster Hunter International. Five days after Owen Zastava Pitt pushed his insufferable boss out of a fourteenth story window, he woke up in the hospital with a scarred face, an unbelievable memory, and a job offer. It turns out that monsters are real. All the things from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there, waiting in the shadows. Officially secret, some of them are evil, and some are just hungry. On the other side are the people who kill monsters for a living. Monster Hunter International is the premier eradication company in the business. And now Owen is their newest recruit. It's actually a pretty sweet gig, except for one little problem. An ancient entity known as the Cursed One has returned to settle a centuries old vendetta. Should the Cursed One succeed, it means the end of the world, and MHI is the only thing standing in his way. With the clock ticking towards Armageddon, Owen finds himself trapped between legions of undead minions, belligerent federal agents, a cryptic ghost who has taken up residence inside his head, and the cursed family of the woman he loves. Business is good . . . At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). Lexile Score: 710




X-Teams


Book Description

Why do good teams fail? Very often, argue Deborah Ancona and Henrik Bresman, it is because they are looking inward instead of outward. Based on years of research examining teams across many industries, Ancona and Bresman show that traditional team models are falling short, and that what’s needed--and what works--is a new brand of team that emphasizes external outreach to stakeholders, extensive ties, expandable tiers, and flexible membership. The authors highlight that X-teams not only are able to adapt in ways that traditional teams aren’t, but that they actually improve an organization’s ability to produce creative ideas and execute them—increasing the entrepreneurial and innovative capacity within the firm. What’s more, the new environment demands what the authors call “distributed leadership,” and the book highlights how X-teams powerfully embody this idea.




Enhancing the Effectiveness of Team Science


Book Description

The past half-century has witnessed a dramatic increase in the scale and complexity of scientific research. The growing scale of science has been accompanied by a shift toward collaborative research, referred to as "team science." Scientific research is increasingly conducted by small teams and larger groups rather than individual investigators, but the challenges of collaboration can slow these teams' progress in achieving their scientific goals. How does a team-based approach work, and how can universities and research institutions support teams? Enhancing the Effectiveness of Team Science synthesizes and integrates the available research to provide guidance on assembling the science team; leadership, education and professional development for science teams and groups. It also examines institutional and organizational structures and policies to support science teams and identifies areas where further research is needed to help science teams and groups achieve their scientific and translational goals. This report offers major public policy recommendations for science research agencies and policymakers, as well as recommendations for individual scientists, disciplinary associations, and research universities. Enhancing the Effectiveness of Team Science will be of interest to university research administrators, team science leaders, science faculty, and graduate and postdoctoral students.




Knowledge Solutions


Book Description

This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO license. This book comprehensively covers topics in knowledge management and competence in strategy development, management techniques, collaboration mechanisms, knowledge sharing and learning, as well as knowledge capture and storage. Presented in accessible “chunks,” it includes more than 120 topics that are essential to high-performance organizations. The extensive use of quotes by respected experts juxtaposed with relevant research to counterpoint or lend weight to key concepts; “cheat sheets” that simplify access and reference to individual articles; as well as the grouping of many of these topics under recurrent themes make this book unique. In addition, it provides scalable tried-and-tested tools, method and approaches for improved organizational effectiveness. The research included is particularly useful to knowledge workers engaged in executive leadership; research, analysis and advice; and corporate management and administration. It is a valuable resource for those working in the public, private and third sectors, both in industrialized and developing countries.




Developing and Enhancing Teamwork in Organizations


Book Description

Developing and Enhancing Teamwork in Organizations Today’s team-based organizations face an unprecedented range of challenges. Many teams reflect the diversity of its members which vary in experience, education, and training. To add to the complexity, teams often include people who are not in the same room together, are geographically dispersed, and are connected only by electronic media. Developing and Enhancing Teamwork in Organizations is a volume in the SIOP Professional Practice Series that brings together leading edge practitioners and academics who share their knowledge about effective teamwork. The book contains evidence-based guidelines designed to offer practitioners advice, recommendations, and strategies for developing and sustaining teams that consistently function at peak performance. With contributions from leading experts in the field, this important resource covers team-based performance approaches from a wide range of activities and industries. For example, the volume explores team work in the NASA organization supporting astronauts, superior performance in football, and also in the military and industry. In addition, the contributors include information concerning healthcare organizations and their delivery of vital services. Each illustrative example reviews the lessons learned and the principles and the findings that were most influential when composing and managing a particular work team. International in scope, the volume clearly shows what it takes for team-based organizations to excel in the 21st Century. A division of the American Psychological Association and established in 1945, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) is the premier association for professionals charged with enhancing human well-being and performance in organizational and work settings. SIOP has more than 7,000 members.