Building Teams - Building Homes

Objectives:

In this innovative program, Impact Leadership Development Group and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) invite organizations to develop high-performing teams while making a significant contribution to their community.  For those whose core values include leadership/team development as well as corporate social responsibility, Teambuilding through Homebuilding is a unique development opportunity, with measurable benefits in both arenas.

Many clients who find value in experiential learning have expressed the desire to leave something behind, to give back something of value to the community.  Similarly, HFHI donor organizations, which report spontaneous learning when intact teams volunteer to build a home, have requested professional facilitation to optimize that learning. Teambuilding through Homebuilding is a response to both needs.

Using Impact’s proven methodologies and the Team Leadership Model™, a team’s functioning is assessed on several dimensions, and a custom program is designed to meet specific needs.  Programs provide theoretical and psychometric foundations in classroom sessions, alternating with extended periods of construction.  Conceptual and action learning are synergistic: ideas are implemented on the worksite, and work experiences are debriefed to capture key learnings.  Through building together, the team gains a refined understanding of its strengths and developmental challenges.  The training concludes with the creation of a Team Development Plan, with assignments for each member.  Follow-up services include individual and team coaching, and assessment of program impact.

Critical Business Issues Addressed:

• What steps/processes are required to create a high performance team?

• How can teams diagnose problems and implement effective interventions?

• What is the role of a team leader in a high performance team?

• How do teams interact with other organizational teams/agencies most effectively?

• How do teams assess weaknesses and correct these while continuing to perform?

• How do norms and rules of engagement interact to assist with high performance teamwork?

• What is the role of an effective leader and teamwork?

Number of Participants:

• Typically 8-15

Site Requirements:

• Work with local HFHI affiliates to determine location for build

Time Required:

• Programs are generally three to five days in duration, and are done in cooperation with one of HFHI’s 1600 U.S. affiliates, or with an affiliate in one of the more than eighty countries where HFHI builds homes around the world.  The organization may choose to integrate its program into an existing project, or to fully sponsor a Habitat house.  With full house sponsorship, increased public relations benefits accrue.

**We offer a similar program using other construction projects such as 1) Elementary school playgrounds, 2) Junior High low ropes course events, or 3) community park playgrounds/gazebos etc.  These programs often require donation of materials and equipment by the organization engaging in the program, but tend to be much less time intensive and expensive than a typical Habitat build.