The Power of Personal: How "My Treasure" Revealed the Key to High-Performing Teams
As a co-coach for a young team of HR professionals, I witnessed firsthand the profound influence of trust on building a high-performing unit. Our mission was to establish a solid foundation for their success.
We started the session with a simple activity called "My Treasure", which revealed the power of human connection in encouraging trust and openness.
Each team member was invited to bring a physical item with significant personal meaning. This seemingly simple request unlocked a treasure trove of emotions and stories.
A gentleman shared a collection of worn postcards and letters, each a testament to the enduring bond with his younger sister. I can imagine how heartwarming it must have been for him to receive those handwritten messages, spanning over two decades while studying abroad. Those messages must have bridged the physical distance and brought him closer to his loved ones. It's beautiful to see the unwavering thread of love and support that connected them even when they were miles apart.
Close-up photo of a stack of slightly yellowed and worn postcards.
The team leader's story impacted me the most. He presented a well-worn Timezone Powercard, a gift card for a popular game arcade. He then began to explain the demanding nature of his job, often requiring him to sacrifice family time. But amidst the busy schedules, he fiercely protected his weekends, transforming Timezone into a cherished space for quality time with his four-year-old daughter. Regardless of the duration, the Powercard represented the moments of genuine connection he built with his daughter, holding immense value beyond its monetary worth. I can only imagine how much those moments of genuine connection meant to him, especially given the demands of his job.
An Asian father in his mid 40s, smiling warmly, is guiding his four-year-old daughter's hand as she plays a video game at a brightly lit arcade.
The personal stories shared amongst the team profoundly sparked a newfound sense of empathy and understanding. They no longer saw their colleagues as coworkers but as human beings with unique stories, values, and vulnerabilities. This reality highlighted the importance of building trust through open communication and genuine connections. They discovered that cultivating these connections was essential to effective teamwork, leading to a more collaborative and ultimately higher-performing team.
The impact of "My Treasure" extended far beyond the activity itself. It served as a catalyst for building trust and facilitating a sense of camaraderie within the team. As they embraced their vulnerabilities and connected on a deeper human level, they laid the groundwork for a collaborative and supportive environment, creating the foundation for their future success as a team.
You can use "My Treasure" to better get to know your team. Here's how:
Get everyone to bring a physical item with significant personal meaning
Everyone takes turns sharing the item's story and why it is important to them. Give each person 3 to 5 minutes to share.
At the end of the sharing, ask the following questions:
What have you learned about your teammate that you didn't know before?
How does it change how you relate to each other as teammates?
Building trust within a team can seem like a daunting task, but what if the key was as simple as sharing a personal treasure? Read the heartwarming story of how a unique team-building activity, "My Treasure," helped a young group of HR professionals discover the profound impact of human connection on trust, collaboration, and, ultimately, their success as a team.