Every workplace has their unique blend of different personalities, perspectives and needs. These differences can contribute to a creative and productive working environment, but they can also be an obstacle to productivity if they lead to tension and conflict. Having the skills to manage the tension and uncertainty that emerges out of such differences is a growing need in international organizations.
The training that Mellem Education offers draws out the natural dynamics of a team, including issues of power and hierarchy, as well as personality clashes. The group goes through various tasks and exercises that include reflecting on the process of how the group works together. By reflecting on process, the group can become more aware of their own dynamics and have an opportunity to examine and express their needs, thereby transforming their habitual practices and creating an inspiring new way to work together.
This type of intervention gives employees the skills to benefit from a diversity of perspectives, by using tension and possible discomfort as opportunities for reflection. This in turn promotes a more enjoyable and productive working environment, where a working team does not have to be blocked by differences but can grow and learn through them.
Where Team Building meets Diversity Training
Organizations often have to choose between the more fun team building trainings and the obligatory diversity training. The team building may be fun but superficial, not really addressing pressing needs that require a serious and focused reflection. The diversity training may in its own way be superficial, in that it does not look at the current diverse needs and interests of the team but on an ideal version of how a team should look and behave. Both of these extremes mean that the group may learn something about each other but may not get the opportunity to delve into their own dynamics, as well as each individual’s contribution to this dynamic, a learning opportunity that we see as crucial for the well-being of any team.
Mellem combines team building and diversity training into one training that leverages the natural diversity that comes out of any working group and allows the group to reflect on their own dynamics. This is both fun and serious, playful and reflective, and gives the group a chance to transform their habits and routines, a rare opportunity not usually taken in the hustle and bustle of working life.
Structure
Mellem Education’s staff offers this training as a consecutive two-day seminar, with a follow-up meeting two months after the training. Another option is the one-day seminar, followed by another one-day seminar two months later. The structure can be adapted according to the needs of the company. Mellem also offers half day workshops.
Testimonials
“Our management team had an exciting and educational day together with Tali. With her quiet and listening presence, she created a focused space where all the participants felt seen and heard. She showed a very special ability to draw reactions, arguments, questions and conclusions from the participants by setting up a very special framework. It embodied in some exercises and processes that we all were able to reflect on and learn from afterwards. In certain situations, we experienced ourselves far away from our daily comfort zone – and in the pattern that emerged we could recognize ourselves, mirror ourselves, wonder and reflect on how it could be translated into our common culture, habits and daily cooperation in the organization. I highly recommend Tali’s workshop to all organizations that cultivate cooperation across multiple departments and operate with large cross-disciplinary development projects.” – Michael Demsitz, CEO, Boligkontoret Danmark
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“The workshop prompted us to look at ourselves in a new way. It was educational. You can get tired of smart consultants with PowerPoint presentations to train executives. Tali’s approach is present and involves everyone in a new and inspiring way with focus on the participants.” – Katja Adelhøj Lindblad, Boligkontoret Danmark
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“I have attended hundreds of presentations and conferences during my 36 years as a healthcare provider, but I’ve never sat through such an innovative approach towards resolving or just discussing both individual and collective conflicts, often the underlying reason our emotional and physical health declines… I can see where your program can be used within the business community to assist with specific administrative conflict resolution, as well as enhance employee/managerial productivity.” – Joel E. Margolies, DC