Team Hat

Purpose
1. To close a team building session on a positive note.
2. To provide members of an intact team with positive, playful feedback.

Team Size
Works best with a team of less than 10. However, it can be used with a large group or training class that has been working together in a series of teams for at least one day.

Required Resources
1. A white painter’s hat or similar white cotton hat for each person.
2. Lots of felt-tip markers in a variety of colors.
3. A bag or a box.

Time
30 minutes.

Room Set-up
Chairs around a round or rectangular table.

Process
1. Before the session, write the names of each person on a small piece of paper. Fold the paper so that the name cannot be seen. Put the pieces of paper in the bag or box.

2. Place a large number of different colored markers in the center of the table.

3. Distribute a hat to each person.

4. Pass the bag or box around and ask each person to select a piece of paper. If a person selects his or her own name, he or she should return it and pick another piece of paper.

5. Explain that each person should decorate the hat with words, drawings, sayings, and/or logos that she or he feels represent the person selected. Emphasize that the decorations should be positive. The person’s name should be clearly printed on the hat.

6. When everyone has finished, the hats should be exchanged so that each person has the hat that has prepared for him or her.

7. Ask each person to show the hat to the group and describe his or her reactions to it.

• Do you understand the decorations?
• How do you feel about the decorations?
• Do you agree with them?
• What other items should have been added to your hat?
• How do you feel about wearing the hat now?
• Would you wear the hat outside the session

8. At some point, take a picture of the team with everyone wearing their hat. After the session, provide each person with a copy of the picture.

Debriefing

• How do you feel about the activity?
• How did it help us grow as a team?
• What should we do with the hats?
• Should we wear the hats to our next team meeting?
• Variations

Variations
1. Use name card tents instead of hats.
2. Ask each person to decorate his or her own hat.

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