Jigsaw Activity: 4 Key Characteristics of a High-Functioning Team
Objective:
Participants will engage in a collaborative learning activity to deepen their understanding of the four key characteristics of high-functioning teams by analyzing, summarizing, and presenting their insights.
Materials Needed:
Printouts of the "Key Characteristics" sections from the handout
Flip chart paper or large sticky notes
Markers
Tape (for displaying charts)
Group Size:
Participants will be divided into groups of 4.
Each group will be assigned one key characteristic to focus on.
Time Required:
30-40 minutes total
5 minutes for reading
10 minutes for group discussion
10 minutes for flip chart preparation
10-15 minutes for presentations
Instructions:
Assign Groups & Distribute Materials (5 min)
Divide participants into groups of 4.
Each group receives a section of the handout covering one of the four key characteristics:
Constructive Communication
Trust & Psychological Safety
Shared Goals & Accountability
Adaptability & Problem-Solving
Reading & Discussion (10 min)
Participants read their assigned section individually (3-5 min).
As a group, they discuss and identify the most important takeaways.
Flip Chart Creation (10 min)
Each group creates a flip chart summarizing their findings.
Their chart should include 10 key takeaways from their assigned characteristic.
Groups should organize their points in a clear and engaging format (bullets, diagrams, key quotes, etc.).
Presentations (10-15 min)
Each group presents their flip chart to the whole room.
After each presentation, allow one follow-up question from the audience.
Encourage discussion on how these characteristics apply in real-world teamwork.
Debriefing Questions:
Which of these characteristics do you think is the most essential for teamwork? Why?
How do these four characteristics work together?
Where have you seen these principles succeed (or fail) in your workplace?
What steps can we take to strengthen these characteristics in our own teams?
Facilitator Notes:
Encourage groups to be creative in their flip chart design (e.g., using visuals, mind maps, or keywords).
Ensure each group stays on time during presentations to maintain engagement.
If time allows, create a gallery walk where groups can review each other’s flip charts.
Conclusion:
This interactive jigsaw activity encourages participants to engage deeply with their assigned characteristic and teaches them to effectively communicate key teamwork principles to others. By collaborating, summarizing, and presenting, participants reinforce their learning and gain practical insights into how high-functioning teams operate.
