Teamwork for Epic Success

You choose a favorite color, perhaps ocean blue or the shade of a flower, and picture it as a speck of light. It travels from your head over your face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, back, hips, legs and feet, softening tension as it goes. This puts you in a deeply relaxed state before the teamwork suggestions begin. You're also told you can use this light again whenever you want to relax.

Hats stand in for the roles and feelings we put on at work. In the shop you try on a flat cap and a top hat, then picture each team member choosing a hat that suits their personality. Some prefer big hats, some small, some bright colors, and the shop has something for everyone. It's a gentle picture of a team whose differences fit together.

The session says the hat shows how we want to be seen, while the head underneath holds the power to choose which emotions to focus on. Looking past the hat helps you see the strengths and differences in everyone, including yourself. Later you take your hat off and return to your authentic self, free of any role.

You name your own strengths and let the weaknesses fade, while accepting that strength can come with moments of vulnerability. You are then invited to embrace your weaknesses and not be afraid to share them. The idea is that your weakness meets another person's strength, and that is what makes teamwork work.

The session offers a few examples. It could be a hat that represents faith or spirituality, a public figure's hat such as a police officer's, or a practical hat that shields you from the sun. You're asked what your hat represents, with words like power, faith and protection.

You make a promise to yourself that you're on your way to epic teamwork success, and you congratulate yourself for the role you play in your team. The suggestions are said to grow stronger by the day, hour and minute. Then you are counted back from one to five, eyes open and alert.