Here’s a team building game that puts your old keyboard to use.  Use the keyboard that you were thinking about throwing away anyway. Here’s a way to creatively recycle it and use it to develop your “key” leaders. This is a great activity for developing confidence, presentation and public speaking skills.

First remove all the keys off of your key board.  This is usually a pretty easy task…but,make sure that it is really a keyboard that is not going to be used …you won’t be able to put the keys back.  You’ll end up with about 60 pieces.

Next, have everyone randomly select a keyboard key as they enter the room. Don’t give any prior instruction.  When the time is right and you are ready to begin the activity say something like this:

“I pulled all of these keys off of one keyboard.  If one of the keys was malfunctioning or missing (before I dismantled the keyboard) then it would not be possible to operate the computer at its full potential.  Each key brings a unique attribute to the keyboard (the team/community).  What does the key you’ve selected say about an attribute  you bring to a team (you bring to this/our team)?  Get in groups of three and share your thoughts and insights.”Give the groups of three enough time to talk and then ask everyone to re-focus their energy on the large group.  Ask if there are any insights or new understandings that people would like to share with the large group.

Other variations:

1. The key you’re holding represents a certain skill that you bring to the group…describe your skill….

2. The key you’re holding represents something you’re thankful for…describe….

3. The key you’re holding is actually a vitamin…what does this vitamin do?