Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception recently held a two-day team building activity titled, “Building Highly Effective and Synergetic Team” (BHEST). The event was not just a break from routine but a shared journey toward self-discovery, connection, and collaboration. BHEST was structured with activities that blended fun with insight, play with purpose, and reflection with action.
The first day kicked off in solemn unity with a prayer, grounding participants in the Franciscan spirit of humility and gratitude. What followed was a mix of physically engaging and emotionally enriching activities. One standout was Lava Island, a game where teams had to retrieve a pen without stepping out of their box or touching anything beyond its boundary. It wasn’t just about agility but it was about strategy, trust, and teamwork. Shouts of encouragement and creative problem-solving filled the room as teams worked together, learning that in any challenge, synergy makes the impossible possible. The excitement settled into a reflective discussion on goal-setting, where participants explored the concepts of under-stretched, stretched, and over-stretched goals. The message was clear: true progress lies in balancing challenge with capability. After a refreshing lunch break, the session dove into deeper personal reflections with the Life Map activity. Here, everyone mapped out their life’s high points and lowlights, uncovering the silent stories and silent strengths each person carries. The day ended on a heartfelt note with Words of Affirmation. Participants, blindfolded, took turns receiving messages of thanks, apology, and appreciation from their partners. It was a vulnerable yet powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude and healing in every team.
Connection, Communication, and Character
The second day opened with a recap of Day 1, allowing participants to reconnect with the emotions and lessons they had experienced. A game energizer got the group moving again. This time, with the playful challenge of doing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” while snatching a pen on cue. It was a fun, laughter-filled warm-up that loosened limbs and lit up smiles. In the Cocktail Mix activity, everyone wore a sheet of paper on their backs with their names on it. Colleagues anonymously wrote two positive traits and one negative trait about each other. It was a creative exercise in honest feedback, reminding everyone that self-awareness is the foundation of growth and that constructive criticism is a gift. The day continued with a discussion on the importance of connection and communication, emphasizing that successful teams thrive on empathy, clarity, and understanding. Another emotionally resonant activity was the use of FBI Cards (Feeling, Behavior, Impact). Participants were asked to express how they felt about certain actions or situations, describe the behavior involved, and explain its impact. The activity helped promote emotional intelligence and healthy confrontation, essential for both personal and team development. A well-deserved lunch break capped off the activities, offering a moment of shared meals and lighter conversations.
The two days reminded everyone that a highly effective and synergetic team is not built overnight, but through trust, vulnerability, communication, and shared purpose. And if this event was any indication, FCIC is not just building teams, it’s building a community.
