The term puzzle could refer to a brain teaser type of puzzle in which group effort would be required to figure out the problem and or solution, or it could refer to an actual jigsaw puzzle activity. How would you incorporate a jigsaw puzzle into team building?
A Puzzle Exercise
Start by dividing your group into teams. Give each team pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and give simple instructions to put the puzzle together as quickly as possible. Imply or even state that each team has the same puzzle and make sure the pieces appear as if they are complete. In actuality, there is only one jigsaw puzzle and the teams will never finish the puzzle until they figure out the secret: team work! Teams assume they are competing against each other and will usually take a while before they realize that the pieces they need the other team has. The importance of teamwork is further highlight by letting the teams themselves figure this out, not by asking for help from the team manager. Eventually they figure out the point of working together for a common goal.
There are some logistical notes on this puzzle game; make sure you find a jigsaw puzzle complex enough to convince teams that there are actually several different puzzles in use. Ensure there are sufficient pieces to occupy all members of the team. Clues might be given to help out teams (like what the picture is) especially if it's a relatively short puzzle game. You might also choose to offer a reward upon completion of the puzzle within a certain time frame. The winners would be the entire group, once they figure out the problem. There are no winners or losers in this exercise; team cooperation is the goal!
Other Puzzle Activities
Puzzle games require a lot of patience and team work if several people are participating. Puzzle activities can be an educational deception like the previous problem or could be a regular puzzle session where pieces are put together by team members as quickly as possible. If possible, use jigsaw puzzles that relate to the industry you are in.
Puzzle games are an excellent way keep your team motivated and to liven up a dull office atmosphere. Puzzle games can be used as ice breakers, training sessions, workshop activities, seminars, conferences and other meetings. Puzzle games can also refer to lateral thinking puzzles, trick questions, brain teasers, logic puzzles and number puzzles.
When planning a puzzle, remember that it's not so much the puzzle that's important, rather the point you are trying to make with this team building exercise. You may be trying to stress the importance of team work or you may want to illustrate a point about communication. Whatever your intentions remember that the puzzle is a teaching technique and should focus on the issue at hand.
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