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Management Games Will Improve Your Company’s Teamwork

By: George Purdy

Employees everywhere are playing games at work. No, we’re not talking about internet and ipod games employees try to hide from their supervisors (although that still happens), we’re talking about management games designed to enhance employee productivity, facilitate retention, and improve workplace relations. These games are actually innovative management training aids.

The gist of management games is similar to team building games many participated in during school. However, the aims are somewhat different. Whereas team building school games focus on getting to know each other and "breaking the ice," team building management games focus on improving and enhancing relationships between coworkers. The games still contain an element of introduction, but are focused on results and building long-term relationships conducive to maintaining a positive workplace atmosphere.

Game theory is an area of study that models the relative gains and interactions among different parties or players. It has found wide application in many disciplines, such as economics, computer science, and political science. A familiar example from game theory is the "prisoner's dilemma," which shows the importance of trust and cooperation. Many management games are based on game theory because of this emphasis on teamwork as opposed to individual gains.

There are many games that you can play to enhance your management performance. One popular option is simulation games. In these games, workplace situations are simulated and players must collaborate and cooperate to arrive at a solution. These games really seem to help, as realistic, real-world situations are simulated and colleagues can see how they interact together. Participants say they learn a lot about themselves and their coworkers through these games, and they move forward together. This is a skill that can be utilized in change management.

Business team coaching has evolved from its more traditional roots of training to management games. There are two main reasons for this evolution. First, people enjoy playing games. When people enjoy what they are doing, they will more likely learn better and it makes learning easier. Second, the creative format of playing games encourages people to develop their own insights. Developing these insights is more satisfying and last in memory longer. Therefore, the skills developed from the game can be used for years to come.

Management games are easy to get started, many of them don’t even require you to purchase anything special they can just begin informally in your team. There are some that do require extra materials such as props or instructions, but you can pick these things up easily enough. One good thing about these types of games is that when one doesn't work for your situation, there are always many more to choose from. This allows you to place your focus on achieving results rather than the game itself.

All over the world, employees are playing games at work. It’s simple; they are taking advantage of the innovative management training aids known as management games. Many of these games are based on game theory because of this emphasis on teamwork as opposed to individual gains. The use of these games is becoming more popular and is replacing the classroom format of business team coaching. Skills in change management can be learned through games that offer learning opportunities for everyone in the workplace. The games teach cooperative work ethic and style, and invoke team spirit among those who play.

Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com

George Purdy is an acknowledged expert on management games. He wrote many articles on this subject and is a well-known public speaker. Look for more info on management games. More great resources at project management coaching.

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