Diverse teams tend to have better problem-solving skills, increased creativity, stronger decision-making, and higher employee engagement because everyone has something unique and valuable to contribute to the team. The key, however, is creating an accepting environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and comfortable enough to share their perspectives.

Used as a complementary resource to any personality-type tool, the Discovering Styles Thumball is one of the best collaboration activities for teams. The Thumball explores players' work and management styles and helps players recognize the various personality styles in the workplace, become familiar with new terminology, refine their ability to categorize traits into personality types, and explore ways to leverage the strengths of each style.

Open up your training by highlighting that diverse perspectives and characteristics make teams more effective. Then, introduce the benefits of the Discovering Styles Thumball, explaining how it helps explore how different personalities can collaborate and enhance team performance.

Here are some options for how to use this collaboration activity for teams in ways that will spark active participation:

Game 1: Focus on One Question
Before you start tossing the ball, select one question for players to answer when the ball is tossed to them. Their response to the question will be based on the characteristic located under their thumb when they catch the ball. Here are some questions you might have players answer:

• How does this quality contribute to team success?
• In what situations does this quality shine the most?
• How does this quality influence communication and collaboration?
• How can we adapt to work effectively with someone who has this quality?

Game 2: Round Robin
Players will catch the ball, read the prompt aloud, and answer the chosen question. Here are some examples of how that works:

• Catch the ball, read the prompt under your thumb aloud, and respond to the question. For example, ""What happens if this quality is exaggerated?"
• Catch the ball, read the prompt under your thumb aloud, and respond to the question. For example, "How might someone with this quality manage conflict?"

Game 3: Team Play
Form two teams and have them stand facing each other. The receiving team will catch the ball, read the QUALITY (the word in all caps), and quiz the other team on any one of the following:

• Provide a description or workplace example of this quality in action.
• Identify which personality style(s) this quality aligns with (e.g., “dominant,” “intuitive,” “spirited,” etc.), based on the assessment tool the facilitator introduced.
• Name a colleague, teammate, or famous person who exemplifies this quality.

Game 4: Style Pairs
After catching the ball, look under both thumbs and consider how those two qualities might interact. Then answer the following questions:

• How might those characteristics balance or complement each other?
• What challenges might arise when these two qualities merge?

By playing in teams, participants will achieve the following outcomes:

• Identify their own personality traits and work styles
• Appreciate the various personality characteristics within their team
• Consider how different personality traits can contribute to team performance
• Learn the value of diverse perspectives and characteristics within teams

Looking for a fun and effortless way to break the ice and spark meaningful conversations? Thumballs are one of the best collaboration activities for teams. Just toss, catch, and respond to the prompt under your thumb – it's that simple. With engaging and intuitive topics, Thumballs create a relaxed, stress-free environment that energizes any training session, encourages participation, and makes learning more interactive. Get ready to turn every toss into a chance for connection, insight, and fun.

Mary Miller Pembleton, a speech pathologist, created Thumball™ to engage her students with learning challenges by combining speech activities with ball games. After a dream inspired her to market the product, she and her husband Gregg developed and patented Thumball™, which is now used to improve communication and social skills in various settings. Their business, Answers In Motion, has grown with increased publicity and sales, fulfilling their vision of making Thumball™ a household name.