Training Tip Tuesday: Team Building Practice

Are you a leader responsible for organizing team-building activities? Are you looking for something that is both unique AND useful? We suggest you introduce a concept that will be new to you and your employees:

Heralding

No, no, not exactly heralding like that!

Let us explain first. Watch this short video to learn about a skill to effectively introduce professional connections.

As you just saw, Heralding is not just a professional introduction, it also develops credibility and builds rapport. The three components of a Herald include:

Credibility - You want to share something about the person that gives them credibility. It could be their education or certifications, their work experience, or project successes.
Common Ground - You want to link the two parties together. Children, activities, charitable organizations, churches, sports teams -- what do the two parties share in common? What could they talk about once you leave them alone?
Connection - You clearly state the reason you are bringing the two parties together. For example, are you introducing them to each other because they may be able to do business together or to learn from each other?

Now you may be wondering how your team can benefit from this new knowledge. If you are searching for a loud, energetic activity to create a buzz in the room, this one’s for you. (And if you need an activity for Zoom or Teams, breakout rooms can be used too.)

First, dress in your medieval-era uniform and grab your horn. If you don’t think your team will respond well to that, skip the outfit and prop, and gather your colleagues. You will demo the activity to the team, without them realizing what you are doing. Prior to this meeting though, interview one of the team members who will be present and collect the information you need: Credibility, Common Ground, and Connection. Then in the meeting, time to wow the group with an effective herald: herald that person to your team. Your team should be able to identify how your herald was different from a standard introduction, but if not, be sure to clearly indicate what constitutes a herald.

Now it’s time for partners. Either designate partners based on your company’s organization and interests or direct them to choose someone they don’t know well in order to expand connections within the team. Partners will interview each other, and once all interviews have concluded, each team member will herald their partner.

This activity can be used as an icebreaker or with a team that has worked together for years. Learning how to herald a business partner is an invaluable skill and each member of your organization will see its impact, especially when it becomes a habit.