Triplets Too Here’s a puzzle challenge I learned from the Thiagi  Group newsletter (see the complete details HERE). Thiagi is very (very) well known for creating activity simulations to enhance learning experiences for corporate populations (the claim is, to stay sharp, he creates at least one new simulation a day!!). If you follow the link above you will see how he uses Triplets as a way to enhance a particular educational concept (As he states in the description of Triplets, “When you have solved all the triplets, make a word out of the first letters of the link words to discover the secret of effective training.) FUN stuff!
 
As many of you know, I can’t leave well enough alone. So I came up with a way to get more hands on the Triplets (and make it a bit more challenging as well). Attached (below) you will find a set of eight Print-N-Play Triplets (24 Words) – the Triplets are in the fancy print. The last page of the document includes the “Link Words” (8 Words) for each of the Triplets (I suggest you read Thiagi’s excellent description of Triplet play for a better understanding of this puzzle challenge).
 
Basically, one of the link words will connect (either before of after) with three of the other words in the set (hence, Triplets). Look at the Triplets in the header graphic above. Can you figure out what word goes with each of the Triplet sets? (Find the answers in the Print-N-Play document.)
 
Here’s how I’ve used my set of Triplets Too so far:

Moderate Challenge: Hand out the Triplet words evenly among your group of 10 to 14 players. Then hand out the link words – one each to eight different players (these players  can also be holding Triplet words). Ask the group to match the link words to each set of Triplets without any player ever being without a word in his/her possession. Also, I don’t let my group set down the words – all words have to stay in hands.
 
Tough Challenge: Only hand out the Triplet words. Have the group determine what Triplet words go together and what link word goes with each set of Triplets. Again, all words must stay in hands and everyone must have at least one word in hand at all times.
 
In Program Challenge: The group earns (in some way) the link words during program challenges – maybe they earn them all, maybe not. Then, at some point the group receives the Triplet words. They have ten minutes to put the Triplet sets together with a link word. Every correct set earns the group a “Pass” or “Redo” or “Mulligan” to use in future challenges. (For example, if someone touches the Spider Web on the way through the group can use one of their passes to void the touches.)

Here's the Print-N-Play document: 

 
Let me know what other ways you come up with to use the Triplets. And, of course, share your Triplet sets with me and I’ll pass them along to the FUN Followers.
 
Have FUN out there!!
 
Chris Cavert, Ed.D. ​

I liked the idea of taking an assessment (included in the purchase of the book) to measure my "EQ" (emotional intelligence) and the material in the book that helped guide me towards strengthening my weaker areas - I had something specific to improve and knew I had specific strengths I could speak to when talking about EQ. The material wasn't overwhelming so it was easy to recommend to anyone interested in the topic and who doesn't like taking an assessment to see where they fall on the scales? 

Leadership 2.0 (2012) is the latest by Bradberry & Greaves (get your copy HERE). After extensive research the authors identified 22 Core and Adaptive Leadership Skills found in exceptional leaders from a large cross section of industries around the globe. And, like the Emotional Intelligence 2.0 publication, Leadership 2.0 also has a self assessment that will give you a score for each of the 22 leadership skills the authors discovered in exceptional leaders. (Note: The authors do point out the limitations of the self assessment because the results only show one perspective and not the perspective of those the assessment taker leads. There is, of course, a more comprehensive assessment, but it'll cost you!)

The authors found through their research 10 core leadership skills that are the "foundation of effective leadership" and 12 adaptive leadership skills that "represent the otherwise intangible qualities that great leaders have in common." Among these adaptive leadership skills are the emotional intelligence aspects of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management (all of which are detailed in the book Emotional Intelligence 2.0). 

How is this read helping me as an adventure educator? In a majority of the programs I facilitate, leadership development is one of the goals my groups like to work on. I'm finding the language in Leadership 2.0 fits into my program style of working on the skills and abilities of particular concepts (like leadership) with my groups. First we seek to understand what is needed in a particular area (e.g., being a leader) and then we spend some time practicing (through experiential activities) the specific skills. 

Since working through Leadership 2.0 I've been able to reference current research findings related to leadership and be more specific with my groups about some of the skills we can work on through adventure activities. Some of the core skills we can practice include planning, courage to lead, decision making, communication, risk taking and results focused skills. Some of the adaptive leadership skills we can work on together include self-awareness, self-management, relationship management, integrity, information sharing, and outcome concern. 

I have also taken the opportunity to recommend the book to a wide range of clients as a way to front load our work together. Many have used the book with their leadership teams, taken the assessment and shared their results with me so I could specifically focus the program activities that can touch on certain skill development areas they wanted to work on. 

If you are a leader within your organization and/or work with leaders from other organizations I highly recommend Leadership 2.0. It's a skill-based practical guide to effective leadership in todays ever-changing work environment.

​(Disclaimer - I have not been paid for sharing this information with you! And, I don't get any royalties for any Leadership 2.0 book sales. But then again, maybe there's a revenue stream here......?)

What are your go-to leadership development resources? Share them with us in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you. 

All the best, 

​Chris Cavert, Ed.D.