The purpose of this module is to learn what and who is the best co-worker, how to become one of them and, most importantly, why good relationships within teams improve your professional performance and your well being at work. In a team, being the best co-worker means being reliable, collaborative, and respectful.
We recommend starting this module with an ice-breaking activity, the best co-worker bingo, and the Introduction to the topic. Then you can choose any of the three tools presented, Case study, Good practice or the interview. We recommend concluding the module with the Activity “Keeping very good relationship with your colleague” and the Assessment.
Ice-break
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The Best Co-worker Bingo
Purpose
Bingo is a fun and interactive game that can be used as a team-building activity.
Following you will find a Best Co-worker Bingo game that you can play with your team.
Indeed it fosters communication, facilitates bonding, breaks down barriers and this is a simple but effective way to break the ice, stimulate, communicate, and create a positive team dynamic.
Number of participants and duration
It can be used with any number of participants, but no more than 10 in order to maintain a good atmosphere. If you have more participants, allow extra time.
This exercise takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of participants and the size of the Bingo grid that you will create for the occasion.
Description for the participants
Create a Bingo card with a 5×5 grid. In each box, write down a characteristic or action that represents a good co-worker. For instance:
• offers to help others;
• communicates clearly and effectively;
• has a positive attitude;
• listens actively;
• listens to others’ opinions;
• shares with others;
• takes initiative;
• is dependable and reliable;
• collaborates well with others; s/he shows empathy and kindness; …
Give a card to each team member and a set amount of time (e.g. 15 minutes) to move around the room and find co-workers who exemplify the characteristics listed on their Bingo card.
You can even ask the participants to create the Bingo cards before starting, it will be a good way to get them thinking about the topic.
Tell participants the instructions:
“The goal of the game is to complete a row, a column, or a diagonal of five boxes. You have 15 minutes to walk around the room and talk to your co-workers about any topic. Once you find a colleague who fits any of the characteristics of a good co-worker, write their name in the corresponding box on your Bingo card.
Once you complete a row, column, or diagonal, call out “Bingo!” and share your completed card with the rest of the team. Provide examples why you chose the colleagues you did.”
Encourage teamwork and communication all along the activity. You can also play with them to include you in the team.
Recommended training methods
Coach can use the following questions:
• How did you feel about the game?
• Did you learn anything new about your co-workers?
• How did you feel when you heard your name being called out for one of the characteristics?
Learning outcomes
• Increasing awareness about other co-workers’ interests and hobbies.
• Improving communication skills by letting participants interact with each other and ask questions to fill out their Bingo cards.
• Enhancing teamwork as it can be an engaging way to bring colleagues together and improve collaboration skills.
• Increasing engagement and morale of employees.
• Encouraging positive behaviours and team-building within the organisation.
Introduction
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Best Co-workers
Purpose
The purpose of the introduction to the topic is shifting the attention of participants to the importance of good relations at the workplace. This can motivate them to start building positive working relationships with colleagues or team members, which can lead to improved teamwork. The participants need to understand the importance of getting along well with their colleagues, because they are more likely to communicate effectively, collaborate on projects, and support one another. It creates a positive work environment and increases productivity.
Number of participants and duration
You can work with up to 15 participants.
If you are online, please keep in mind that the group should be small enough to allow each participant to speak freely without feeling apart from the discussion.
The introduction can take approximately 20 minutes.
Description for the participants
“In the module we will talk about the following key concepts (link to key concepts):
• Co-worker
• Positive working relationship
• Positive work environment
• Communication at work
We will also go over the fundamentals (link to fundamentals) of the topic, focusing also on the skills of the best co–workers and what sets them apart from regular co-workers.
When people feel comfortable working together, they are more likely to share ideas, provide feedback, and work together to achieve common goals. These skills are valuable for career growth and advancement. But also being good co-workers to each other creates a positive work environment and increases productivity.”
Then, divide the participants into 4 groups and let them work on the definitions of the key concepts for 10 minutes. After that ask participants to share with others, add information if necessary.
If you are online, use a specific application, such as MS Teams or Zoom (link to Online tools for Coaches), which allows you to divide the overall group in smaller groups.
Follow up with a discussion:
“What is an ideal co-worker?”
“For the following 10 minutes, discuss in your groups and come up with a list of skills and characteristics of an ideal co-worker. Then present your findings to the rest of the groups.”
Stimulate the groups to examine different perspectives and possible definitions. Encourage critical thinking and ask every group to share their opinions.
As a coach, your role is to facilitate the discussion and create a supportive environment for participants to share their thoughts and ideas. Allocate time slots and gently guide the conversation if it starts to go off-topic. Be mindful of giving everyone an equal opportunity to contribute within the time constraints.
Recommended training methods
Coach can use the following questions before jumping in to the elaboration of the key concepts:
• What is a good co-worker according to you?
• Why is communication a cornerstone of well-being at work?
• Are you a good co-worker? Why?
• Coach can divide the participants into 4 groups and let them work on the definitions of the concepts. Then ask them to share with others, add information if necessary.
• Coach can use the same groups for discussing the ideal co-worker, what are his or her qualities and characteristics.
Learning outcomes
• Mastering the key concepts related to being a best co-worker.
• Understanding the fundamentals and discovering why a good co-worker is important for well-being at work.
• Enhancing communication skills and self-awareness: this can help participants understand how their own perspectives may differ from others and lead to more informed decision-making.
Case Study
Source:https://workplpace./ Credit facebook
The workplace platform
Purpose
The purpose of this Case Study is to show participants what The workplace platform is and how it can be used. This platform enables companies, and more particularly employees, to dialogue, communicate, share things while adopting certain characteristics reminiscent of social networking or collaborative communication services.
Workplace facilitates team building, allowing video conferencing, chat messages, sharing important news within the company and everything using a simple and accessible way from smartphones, tablets, laptop or PC.
The Workplace platform offers a range of collaboration and communication tools, community-building features and accessibility for remote team members.
Number of participants and duration
You can work with as many participants as you want. The idea is to discover the software.
This exercise can take approximately 30 minutes up to 1 hour, it depends on what you want to experiment with the learners.
Description for the participants
(Provide a brief introduction to The workplace platform for participants.)
“Workplace is a communication and collaboration platform designed for businesses and organisations to connect and engage with their employees. The platform was created by Meta, formerly known as Facebook, and offers a range of features to help teams communicate, collaborate and remain informed. It is a good tool to be used by any kind of business, small or big, for the employees to communicate and to share more than just job duties.”
(Take the participants through The workplace platform Case Study (link to the PR2_A5_Case study).
Show them what The workplace platform is and how it can be used. Explain to them the basics, go through the key features of the platform, such as News Feed, Groups, Chat, and Notifications.
Display how to create a post, join a group, and send a message.)
(If you are online, use a specific application, such as MS Teams or Zoom (link to Online tools for Coaches), which allows you to share your screen.)
(Then, to start the activity, provide participants with an access to the “Workplace from Meta” platform and ask them to log in, using their personal or work Facebook account. Divide participants into pairs and ask them to complete a series of tasks on Workplace from Meta.)
“Now you have 20 minutes to go over The Workplace platform together, in pairs, see how it works for yourselves, write down any questions that you have while exploring the platform. As part of the assignment, create a post about your recent project. Present it to the rest of us.”
(Finally, ask participants to reflect on their experience using Workplace from Meta, ask about their questions and try to answer them together with the rest of the participants.)
Recommended training method
Coach can use the following questions:
• What did you find interesting? Why?
• According to you, is this a good app to keep good relationships between colleagues?
• Do you know another platform that could also help team members to stay connected?
Learning outcomes
This activity can help participants discover Workplace and develop the skills they need to use it effectively for communication and collaboration. By providing a guided tour, group activity and time for reflection, the coach can ensure that everyone feels comfortable and is now able to make the most of its features.
• Collaboration: participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and learn from each other’s experiences. This can help to build a sense of community and connection between colleagues.
• Reflection: participants can identify what they found helpful, challenges they faced and questions they still have. This can help guide their future use of the platform.
• Increased comfort and confidence: it can help participants to feel more comfortable communicating and collaborating with their team using the platform.
Good Practice
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Team building and escape games
Purpose
An escape game is an engaging team building activity that can help develop communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. It is beneficial for different reason exposed here after:
• Encourages teamwork: in an escape game, team members work together to solve problems, to find solutions.
• Develops problem-solving skills: escape by using critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Builds communication skills: participants have to communicate clearly and listen actively to each other to be successful.
• Provides an engaging experience: participants will bond and build relationships in a low-stress environment with colleagues.
This is why some enterprises are proposing escape games as team building such as the Emeraude escape.
The purpose of this following exercise is to present what is an escape game and to try one showing how participants will collaborate together, solve problems and find solutions within a fun and friendly environment.
Number of participants and duration
You can work with as many participants as you want.
This exercise can take approximately 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
Description for the participants
“I will share with you a good practice that can inspire you in your efforts to build better teams.”
(Present to the participants the Emeraude escape (link to PR2_A5_Good practice).)
“An escape game can help you to improve your best co-worker skills. It can strengthen relationships, and create affinity which not only builds loyalty but also improves the quality of the work environment. It allows you to build real and concrete relationships, sharing experience, good ideas and improve your sense of communication in another context than the professional one.”
(Select one escape game of your choice, for instance, you can use an escape game available for free on the following platform: https://www.breakoutedu.com/. Use a digital escape game platform or application and share the screen, for online training. For in-room training lead the participants through the escape game physically. Let the participants explore and understand how it works. You can also use video clips or images to show the puzzles and challenges that participants might solve in an escape game. Explain the objective of the game: to improve team building and communication skills through collaborative problem-solving. During the game observe the team dynamics, problem-solving approaches, communication skills, and leadership styles and use this information for a debriefing session.)
Recommended training methods
Ensure the participants have access to the necessary clues, puzzles, and interactive elements.
Facilitate a discussion on team dynamics, effective communication, collaboration, and leadership styles. Share examples of companies or teams as the Emeraude escape or even new ones that have used escape games as a team-building activity and have seen positive results. Discuss how these teams have benefited from playing escape games and how their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills have improved as a result.
Brainstorming
Encourage participants to brainstorm ways that they can apply the skills they could develop through playing escape games in their work environment. For example, they might use teamwork skills to collaborate on a project or communication skills to share ideas more effectively with their colleagues.
Learning outcomes
• Understanding of escape games: what it is and how it works.
• Benefits of playing escape games: a team-building activity.
• Brainstorming skills: how the skills developed in escape games could be applied into work environment.
Communication skills: participants will have to communicate, listen and express oneself to win the game.
Interview
Purpose
The purpose of this interview is to explain why being a best co-worker is important for well-being at work and how it creates a positive and supportive work environment, leads to better communication and collaboration, helps to improve one’s personal and professional development, and leads to greater job satisfaction and fulfilment.
Throughout the interview, Nicolas Thervais, Engineer and Team Leader at Microsoft (MS), France, explains how MS dealt with teleworking for a very long time and how the Covid 19 situation helped improve the HR management when facing the obligation of staying at home for all employees.
Number of participants and duration
You can work with 10 people.
This exercise can take approximately 45 minutes.
Description for the participants
(Take the participants through the interview with Nicolas Thervais (link to PR2_A5_Interview). For an online training you can ask them to read the interview on the platform, whereas for an in-room training you can print out the interview and ask two participants to read it for the whole group.)
“Now, we will practise interview skills in a safe and supportive environment.”
(Divide participants into pairs and ask them to create their own interview questions about the topic Best Co-worker, give them 10 minutes for this activity. You can give participants some hints on the questions, such as…
• Definition of the best co-worker.
• Good practices to improve communication.
• Well-being at work.
• Positive working relationship
• Or how to build a positive environment.)
(Once ready, let them find another pair of participants and interview each other. Give them at least 25 minutes to ask and to answer the questions.)
“Now the interview is over, please provide feedback to each other on the performance. You can focus on areas such as asking clear questions, listening actively, responding to questions professionally and with confidence.”
(For online courses, you can open the discussion with the whole group or even divide the participants into break-out rooms using a software allowing such thing – Zoom for instance (link to Online tools for coaches.)
Recommended training methods
Encourage participants to build upon each other’s ideas and find common ground. Foster an atmosphere of teamwork and shared ownership of the discussion outcomes by allowing everyone to speak freely
Learning outcomes
• Interview skills: this activity provides learners with an opportunity to develop their interview skills by practising answering questions, presenting themselves professionally, and responding to feedback.
• Communication skills development and ability to listen actively.
Confidence building to open up to others.
Interview
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Keeping very good relationship with colleagues
Purpose
The coach should go through the different steps with the learners and think about the strategy to help them build confidence and develop a sense of self-assurance that can help performing better in real-world job and keeping good relationships with their colleagues.
The objective of this activity is to empower participants to develop and improve their relationships with colleagues, foster open communication, problem-solving, and active listening skills. This activity can be conducted both online and in a face-to-face setting.
Number of participants and duration
You can work with up to 10 participants.
This exercise can take approximately 1 hour.
Description for the participants
“I propose your to individually reflect on the following areas:
• Find new ways how to create good relationships with colleagues;
• Reflect, share and tackle different problems at work together;
• Start being a good and appreciative co-worker, willing to share and communicate openly;
• Put into practice active listening to help strengthen the relationship.
“Then write down your thoughts, ideas, and examples related to each area in a piece of paper or using your computer.”
“Once done, let’s share your findings together” by using a digital collaboration tool or a flipchart/whiteboard to capture ideas generated by participants (if online).
Encourage participants to contribute their ideas and suggestions, fostering a collaborative atmosphere in a group or all together if they are not more than 3 to 5 people. Help them to create a personal action plan.
Finally, I propose you write down how you could implement these strategies in your workplace relationships.”
This activity is based on communication and sharing strategy. Participants must listen to one another, and to work on critical thinking.
Recommended training methods
Invite participants to reflect on the insights gained and the importance of building strong relationships in the workplace.
• Start the training session by explaining the importance of creating good relationships with colleagues and the benefits it brings to the workplace.
• Instruct participants to take some time to individually reflect on the four areas mentioned
• Encourage participants to be specific and write down actionable steps they can take to improve their relationships with colleagues.
• Conclude the training session by summarising the key takeaways from the activity.
Learning outcomes
• Improved communication skills including active listening, effective speaking and conflict resolution.
• Increased empathy and understanding leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.
• Enhanced teamwork and collaboration to work effectively with others and achieve shared goals.
• Reduced workplace stress by building positive relationships with colleagues and creating a supportive work environment.
• Improved leadership skills as it improves the ability to inspire and motivate others with open discussion and a good sense of listening and active discussion.
Assessment
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Purpose
The purpose of the Assessment is to monitor how much the participants were able to learn about how being a best co-worker and having best co-workers improves the quality of well-being at work.
After completing this module, learners should be able to have a general overview of what is a best co-worker, what are the key elements to be one of them and how to promote a positive work environment.
Number of participants and duration
You can work with 10 participants
This exercise can take approximately 1 hour
Description for the participants
“Let’s proceed now with the assessment of this module”
“A self-assessment activity is a process of reflecting on one’s own strengths, weaknesses, achievements, and areas for improvement.”
“It typically involves analysing your own performance or behaviour “
Evaluating their performance and using specific criteria is an effective way to enhance personal growth and development.
During this activity, learners will have time to read each question and to answer according to what they have learnt all along the module.
The duration is not necessarily limited, as long as they take time to understand their mistakes, if they make any.
Recommended training methods
Self-assessment activities can help develop self-awareness, identify areas for improvement and take action to foster personal growth and development.
You can propose to proceed as follows:
• Identify the purpose of the self-assessment activity. For instance, it could be to evaluate skills and knowledge, assess performance or identify areas for improvement.
• Establish specific criteria or goals to measure performance. For example, you might set goals, conveying clear and concise messages and engaging the audience.
• Reflect on past performance and evaluate current ones using established criteria.
• Create an action plan for improvement. Based on common reflection, evaluation, open discussion, identify specific steps you can take to improve skills.
Learning outcomes
• Identifying behaviours that will support learners in becoming best co-workers.
• Improving the work environment by building strong relationships with teams.
Self-awareness by developing a deeper understanding of the learners’ strengths, weaknesses, values and goals.
Additional resources
Positive attitude at work – Adriana Girdler
« This video will go over some tips on how to keep a positive mindset at work and an overall positive attitude in the workplace. »
Positive attitude: A good coworker maintains a positive attitude, even in difficult situations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBcYVKn6RKg
7 collaboration keys – John Spencer
What makes creative collaboration work effectively? In this short video 7 ideas are presented :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DmFFS0dqQc
3 Levels of communication success – The Latimer group
« The people who can get make their point clearly, get to the point quickly, and make a persuasive case will get noticed and be in demand »
A good coworker communicates clearly and listens actively to others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSoMynm2Oeo
How to improve your listening skills – Litmos heroes
Active listening is a communication technique where the listener focuses on understanding the speaker’s message by paying attention to their words, tone, and body language
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-MIeRr1e8
Professional Skills: Collaboration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mUDPVW9GwA
