Second Vice District Governor Training
Success Through
Teamwork
Instructor Guide
Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
SESSION BACKGROUND
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
(Henry Ford)
Successful teams form the foundation of successful organizations. Second vice district governors
will have the opportunity to be part of several teams, so it is imperative that they have an
understanding of what makes teams ‘work’. In this session, second vice district governors will
learn about the benefits of teamwork, the five characteristics of successful teams, and the
challenges that can occur in team environments.
SESSION OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
 Define ‘teamwork’
 Describe the role of teamwork in district leadership
 Recognize the benefits of teamwork
 Identify the characteristics of successful teams
 Recognize the challenges that teams encounter
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
SESSION PREPARATION
Preparation Suggestions

Consider the technical requirements for the session. Do a test of the laptop/computer,
the LCD projector and screen, PowerPoint slides, and the wireless mouse/laser pointer,
if appropriate.

Conduct an inventory of the materials for the session. Utilize the Training Materials
Checklist in the Instructor Preparation Guide to check that you have everything you will
need for the session.

Review all activities that will take place during the session. Have you obtained and
organized all materials needed to complete the activities?

Do a review of content prior to the start of the session as a final measure of
preparation.
MATERIALS

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Instructor Guide
Participant Guide
PowerPoint slides
Team Tower Activity materials:
o 30 balloons (not inflated)
o 1 role of masking tape
EQUIPMENT

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Computer
LCD projector and screen
Flipchart and markers
Wireless mouse/laser pointer (optional)
ACTION ICONS
Refer to Participant Guide
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
SESSION TIMELINE
INTRODUCTION
(40:00)
MODULE 1:
Successful Teams
(25:00)
MODULE 2:
Challenges of Working
Together
(20:00)
CONCLUSION
(5:00)
Overview of Instruction
Materials
Opening Activity: Team Tower
Activity materials
Presentation: Session Overview
Participant Guide
PowerPoint slides
Presentation/Discussion:
Characteristics of Successful Teams
PowerPoint slides
Participant Guide
Presentation/Discussion: Obstacles to
Team Success
PowerPoint slides
Participant Guide
Activity: Overcoming Obstacles to
Team Success
Participant Guide
Presentation: Teamwork Resources
and Session Summary
Participant Guide
PowerPoint slides
Total Time: 90:00
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
INTRODUCTION
Total Time: 40:00
OPENING ACTIVITY: TEAM TOWER (30:00)
Instructor Preparation Note: Prior to the session, determine how many teams you will have for
this activity, and how many participants will be on each team. Teams should have no less than
three members. If the group is very small (less than six people), you can also conduct the
activity with one team. If conducting the activity with only one team, adjust the activity
directions as necessary.
State
We are going to begin our session with a short activity.
Activity Directions:
Divide participants into groups of 3-4.
Distribute the following materials to each group:
- 30 balloons (not inflated)
- 1 roll of masking tape
Give the following directions:

Each team has a challenge: to build the tallest freestanding tower using only the materials given to your team
(balloons and tape).

You will have 20 minutes to complete the tower.

The team that builds the tallest tower wins!
Ask if there are any questions about the activity.
Begin the activity.
During the activity, circulate around the room and observe
the interaction between the members of each team.
Call time after 20 minutes.
Determine which team is the winner of the activity.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
State
We will discuss this activity in detail later in the session. For now,
keep your experiences during this team activity in mind as we
begin our discussion on teamwork.
PRESENTATION: SESSION OVERVIEW (10:00)
State
This session will explore teamwork and team success.
Ask
Can anyone provide me with a definition of ‘teamwork’?
Allow 2-3 volunteers to provide a definiton. Responses
will vary.
Show
Display slide 1 and read the definition of ‘teamwork’:
Refer participants to page 1 in the Participant Guide.
State
This is a basic definition, but we all know that for teams to work
together and experience success, team members must understand
the benefits of teamwork, embrace and demonstrate specific team
characteristics, and be aware of the challenges that teams may
encounter.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
Close your eyes. Now, imagine your own district without teams of
any kind. There is a district governor, first vice district governor,
and second vice district governor, but there is no unified team
approach to managing the district. Imagine that there is no team
structure for the GMT and the GLT. Committees and project teams
have simply ceased to exist.
Give participants approximately 60 seconds to visualize
the scenario. Ask them to open their eyes.
Ask


What types of things did you envision happening in your
districts? Responses will vary.
What consequences would likely occur as a result of not
having teams and teamwork? Responses will vary.
State
It is obvious that a district without teams and teamwork would be
very different and would likely experience overwhelming
challenges.
The role of teamwork within the district is critical. Success of these
teams, and ultimately, the success of your district, depends on
whether or not people are functioning together – in other words,
whether or not ‘teamwork’ is present.
Show
Display slide 2: Benefits of Teamwork
State
There are several benefits to teamwork including:
 Efficiency: Working together, members can accomplish
more in less time
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
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Collaboration: Members can work together to solve
problems
Innovation: Members can draw on individual and
collective experiences to brainstorm and generate new
ideas
Support: Members can encourage and help one another
Satisfaction: Members striving toward a common goal
attain new levels of fulfillment and success when working
together
Ask
But what does this discussion on teamwork and its benefits have to
do with your position as second vice district governor?
Show
Display slide 3: District Teams
State
As a second vice district governor, you will serve in various teamrelated roles:

Being a team member of the district governor team, Global
Membership Team, and Global Leadership Team

Working with and supporting other district teams, such as
district committees
Inform participants that they will learn more about their
role as part of the GMT/GLT in the workshop sessions
‘Working as a Member of the GMT’ and ‘Working as a
Member of the GLT’.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
Show
Display slide 4 and review the session objectives.
State
This session will provide you with an overview of teamwork and
the ways that teamwork can impact success.
Transition
In order to truly understand how teamwork can impact success, we
need to first identify the characteristics of successful teams.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
MODULE 1: Successful Teams
Total Time: 25:00
PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL
TEAMS (25:00)
State
Teamwork is not just a concept – it is a practice. To be successful,
there are five characteristics that teams should strive to implement.
Show
Display slide 5: Characteristics of Successful Teams
State
The five characteristics of successful teams are:
o Direction and Purpose
o Commitment
o Processes and Procedures
o Leadership
o Interdependence
These five team characteristics create an environment in which
team members feel valued and supported and where they are
encouraged to collaborate and work together as a means of
reaching team goals.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these characteristics.
Refer participants to page 2 in the Participant Guide.
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Show
Display slide 6: Direction and Purpose
State
Without direction and purpose, there is no common understanding
of where the team is going and how they are going to get there.
A team with direction and purpose means that:
 Goals have been established through a process of group
collaboration

Goals and purposes are understood by all team members

Goals are periodically reviewed and revised as necessary
By involving all members in the establishment of the team’s
direction, members feel both a responsibility and investment in
achieving those goals.
Ask
Think about your team experience during the opening ‘Team
Tower’ activity:
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Were direction and purpose demonstrated by the members
of your team during that activity? Responses will vary.

Now that you know that having direction and purpose is a
characteristic of successful teams, is there anything that
you would have done differently during the activity?
Responses will vary.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
Show
Display slide 7: Commitment
State
The second characteristic, commitment, implies a strong sense of
dedication and responsibility. Teams who demonstrate
commitment are successful because each individual member is
completely dedicated to the achievement of the goals set forth by
the collective team. Team success and achievement of goals is
prioritized over individual achievement.
Ask
Consider your team experience during the opening ‘Team Tower’
activity:
 Did the members of your team demonstrate commitment
during the activity?
o If so, how did it benefit the team? Responses will
vary.
o If not, how did it impact team success? Responses
will vary.
Show
Display slide 8: Processes and Procedures
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
State
Successful teams have established processes and procedures by
which they operate. These rules, guidelines, and norms provide a
framework of expectations for team members as they interact with
one another and work to accomplish tasks.
A team that follows processes and procedures:
 Has established a set of ground rules and operating norms
 Promotes the free flow of communication between team
members
 Has a process for discussing issues and resolving problems
 Encourages all team members to provide input into the
decision making process
 Encourages team members to provide frequent and
constructive feedback to one another
Ask
Think about your team experience during the opening ‘Team
Tower’ activity:
 Did your team establish any processes and/or procedures
(define duties, guidelines, etc.) during the activity?
o If so, what were they and how did they contribute to
team success? Responses will vary.
o If not, how did the lack of processes and procedures
impact team success? Responses will vary.
Show
Display slide 9: Leadership
State
Effective leadership is critical to team success. In many team
structures, there is a designated ‘leader’ who guides and supports
the ‘members’ in achieving team goals. This individual is the
formal team leader.
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However, team structures can also provide the opportunity for
shared leadership and for informal leaders to emerge. As tasks,
projects, resources, or responsibilities change, different needs arise
and new leaders can and should emerge. These informal leader
roles provide the opportunity for all team members to develop their
leadership skills and gain experience for future leadership roles.
Whether formal or informal, a leader should always be supportive
of team members and prioritize team performance over individual
power or agendas.
Ask
Consider your team experience during the opening ‘Team Tower’
activity:
 Did a leader(s) emerge within the team? Responses will
vary.
 Was leadership shared among members of the team during
the activity? Responses will vary.
 Did members of the team feel supported and encouraged by
team leadership? Responses will vary.
Show
Display slide 10: Interdependence
State
The final characteristic we are going to discuss is
interdependence. Successful teams function interdependently,
meaning that every member’s role and work complements
someone else and individual progress is dependent on the help and
feedback of others.
Teams who are interdependent recognize, value, and utilize the
skills, knowledge, abilities, and perspectives of each member of
the team.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
Ask
Think about your team experience during the opening ‘Team
Tower’ activity:
 Was there a sense of interdependency present among team
members team during the activity? Responses will vary.
o If so, how did it benefit the team in achieving the
goal of the activity? Responses will vary.
o If not, how did it impact team success? Responses
will vary.
Ask
Does anyone have anything else they would like to add about their
team experience during the opening activity?
State
The Team Tower activity was an exercise in teamwork. Each team
was given a goal and some materials, but teams were forced to
begin working without clearly defined leadership, plans, and
specific tasks. This activity, in conjunction with our discussion on
the five characteristics, should have demonstrated how those
characteristics are critical for success in any team situation.
Transition
Despite our best intentions, teams do not always function in an
ideal way. We will now take a few minutes to discuss the
challenges that can result when we work together in teams.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
MODULE 2: Challenges of Working Together
Total Time: 20:00
PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: OBSTACLES TO TEAM SUCCESS (5:00)
State
In a perfect world, every team experience would be a successful
one. However, we know that that expectation is simply not
realistic, and that there will likely always be obstacles to team
success.
Refer participants to page 3 in the Participant Guide.
Show
Display slide 11 and review the obstacles to team success:
State
Every team is as unique as its individual members, so every team
may encounter its own unique set of obstacles. However, there are
some common obstacles that many teams often face:
 Unclear goals: If goals are not clearly defined and/or team
members do not understand the goals, it is difficult for the
team to work together in unison.
 Lack of commitment: A lack of commitment can result in
ambiguity about team direction and priorities and a lack of
confidence in decisions.
 Lack of motivation: There are many reasons that a team
can lose its motivation. Perhaps the team is struggling with
a task or in coming to a consensus about a decision. This
might result in a ‘can’t do’ attitude, and people may lose
their confidence and belief in the team.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork


Unclear roles: It is critical that each member of the team
have a clear understanding of the role he/she must play as
part of the team. Unclear roles can result in confusion,
conflict, duplicated work, and wasted time.
Absence of trust: When trust is missing from team
dynamics, team members feel they cannot be totally honest
when expressing themselves and that they cannot rely on
one another for support or when completing tasks. This
absence of trust can inhibit team relationships, team
communication, and team productivity.
Ask
Has anyone encountered any of these obstacles in their own team
experiences?
Transition
Identifying obstacles to team success is the first step toward
overcoming the challenges that can result when we work together
in teams.
ACTIVITY: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO TEAM SUCCESS (15:00)
State
We are now going to spend a few minutes brainstorming and
discussing strategies for overcoming some of the most common
obstacles to team success.
Activity Directions:
Divide participants into groups of 2-3.
Give the following directions:

Each group will select two or three obstacles from the list
at the top of page 3 in the Participant Guide.

In your groups, brainstorm strategies for overcoming each
of the obstacles your group has chosen to discuss.

You will have 10 minutes to discuss and brainstorm
strategies.
Begin the activity.
Call time after 10 minutes
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Ask for volunteers from each small group to share a summary
of their brainstorming discussions. Responses will vary.
State
Keep these strategies in mind as you work with your teams this
year, and in the future as you attain higher leadership positions.
Transition
(Transition to the conclusion.)
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
CONCLUSION
Total Time: 5:00
PRESENTATION: TEAMWORK RESOURCES AND SESSION
SUMMARY (5:00)
State
There are several resources available from LCI that you can use to
develop your own teamwork skills, to promote teamwork, and to
build teams.
Refer participants to pages 4-5 in the Participant Guide.
State
On page 4, you will see two online resources available on the LCI
Web site in the Leadership Resource Center. Each of these
resources serves a slightly different team-related purpose, but will
guide you in the development of your own teamwork skills and
help you promote teamwork within your district.
On page 5 is the ‘Team Effectiveness Assessment’. This
assessment is aligned with the five characteristics of successful
teams and can be used as a resource to evaluate areas where your
team is being successful, and areas that may need to be improved.
Refer participants to pages 6-8 in the Participant Guide.
State
On pages 6-8, you will find a few team building activities that you
can use with members of your own teams or suggest to other Lions
who may be looking for team building activities.
This collection of activities is not exhaustive. You may
have your own team building activities to share with
participants. The Internet is also a good source when
searching for team building activities and resources.
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Instructor Guide Success Through Teamwork
Show
Display slide 12 and review the session objectives:
Ask
Did we meet our objectives?
State
If one of your teams is not performing up to your standards,
remember the five characteristics of successful teams and
determine which of those characteristics might be absent from your
team dynamics. If your team is facing obstacles, remind yourself of
the strategies we identified during our brainstorming session, or
conduct your own brainstorming session with members of your
team to determine ways to overcome the specific obstacles you are
facing.
As a member of several teams within the district, your knowledge
of teams and teamwork will serve as an important resource for
helping to ensure that your teams are successful.
(Conclude the session.)
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