In every course I develop, whether online or in-person, I always include opportunities for active learning to provide a safe space to practice the skills and behaviors the participants are learning. I created the activities below from scratch.
Client: Giant Food
Date: 2023
Objective: To create an activity that simulates a manager receiving feedback from their team and adjusting their processes based on that feedback. This activity fits within the "Understanding the Ways of Working" section of Giant's Leadership Development program.
Programming: I developed this activity after brainstorming ideas with subject-matter experts. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. The class is divided into teams with at least five people on a team. Each team member is assigned a role as they work together to build their 48-piece puzzle using their prescribed puzzle-building process. They have 10 minutes to complete the puzzle. When time is up, the team provides feedback to the manager about their experience, suggesting possible changes to the process. Once the manager approves changes, the team uses the new process to complete a different puzzle within 8 minutes.
Materials:
Employer: White Castle
Date: 2015
Objective: To create a "flipped classroom" model for the Management Foundations program (for new-to-role crew managers), where managers learn about the concepts via on-the-job training and e-learning modules so the time in class can be spent practicing the skills associated with the concepts.
Programming: The instructor-led training class for Management Foundations includes three modules:
Know Your Resources: This module uses a crossword puzzle to facilitate discussion about the critical tools and resources managers learned during training. Whether completed in pairs or as a class, the focus is on understanding why and how these tools are used.
Risk vs. Reward: This module simulates running a shift, where managers create a shift plan based on key information and adjust it in response to real-time challenges. The activity emphasizes critical thinking by requiring managers to weigh risks and rewards when deciding whether to stick to or change their plans.
Management Tour: This module uses an escape-room-style activity where managers work together to unlock a reward by completing a series of tasks. They visit seven stations representing key areas of a White Castle restaurant, identify issues from photos, and earn letters to form a word that leads to a code for unlocking the box. The activity reinforces the importance of thoroughly reviewing restaurant areas during shift tours and addressing identified issues effectively.
