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Purpose
Provide an opportunity for team members to get to know each other.
Identify the participants' expectations for the session.
Establish a list of norms or ground rules for the session.

Group Size
A minimum of 16 people is needed but it works best with larger groups up to 48 people.

Physical Setting
Space large enough for the group to easily move around the room and form sub-groups of two to eight people.

Materials
No handouts are needed but it is helpful to display the directions on a screen.

Explain the purpose of the session.

Ask each person to write down one expectation (or outcome) for the session (for example, "establish a team charter"), one norm or ground rule (for example, "return from breaks on time"), and his or her hobby or personal interest outside of work. Allow one minute.

Form duos by asking each person to team up with a person they do not know or do not know well. Each person introduces him or herself, and then shares their hobby, expectation and norm. The goal of the duo is to come to a consensus on one norm and one expectation. Note: they may not combine items but they come up with a third item that draws on their two separate items.

Form quartets by asking each duo to team up with another duo composed of people they do not know or do not know well. Each person introduces him or herself, and then shares their hobby, expectation and norm. The goal of the quartet is to come to a consensus on one norm and one expectation. Note: they may not combine items but they come up with a third item that draws on their two separate items.

Form octets by asking each quartet to team up with another quartet composed of people they do not know or do not know well. Each person introduces him or herself, and then shares their hobby, expectation and norm. The goal of the quartet is to come to a consensus on one norm and one expectation. Note: they may not combine items but they come up with a third item that draws on their two separate items.

Using two flip charts, create two lists, (1) Expectations and (2) Ground Rules, by asking each octet to report their one expectation and one ground rule.

The facilitator comments on the expectations indicating to what extent and how each expectation will be met. The facilitator should also review the list of ground rules and, if necessary, clarify the items.

As an option, the facilitator may present his or her list of norms for the session as an addition to the group's list. Additionally, it may be necessary to discuss the use of norms as behavioral expectations for the group.

At the conclusion of the day and/or the program, the facilitator may refer to the expectations to indicate how they were addressed. In the same vein, you may refer to the norms to indicate how they were followed and how they helped.