The Common Book Technique
The common book technique encourages collaboration and remembering by directly building the team’s history. This technique makes it possible for you and your team to look back at where you have been and how far you have come.
This team bonding exercise is not done all at once, but over time. Keep a large, blank journal or scrapbook on hand in the break room or other common areas.
The book may have prompts on each page, asking questions or suggesting things to write or draw. Or, you can print out the guidelines and display them next to the book (i.e. no swearing, nothing offensive, no complaining, no scribbling on other people’s work, etc.).
Leave pens, markers, tape, and other items your team can use to write and draw in the book. Encourage them to write down quotes from things they are reading or from team members, write about a fun event that happened at work, tape or glue, or anything that helps record the team culture.
When the book is full, put it on the shelf and get a new one.
This technique is fantastic because writing your own story helps group members integrate and feel part of meaningful moments for the team. Additionally, it helps develop creativity and collaboration that directly impacts the team’s production.
