AN INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE TEAMBUILDING: THE IMPACT OF IMAGE THEATRE.

Abstract

Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings includes abstracts of all papers and symposia presented at the annual conference, plus 6-page abridged versions of the “Best Papers” accepted for inclusion in the program (approximately 10%). Papers published in the Proceedings are abridged because presenting papers at their full length could preclude subsequent journal publication. Please contact the author(s) directly for the full papers. ArticlesAN INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE TEAMBUILDING: THE IMPACT OF IMAGE THEATRE.William P. FerrisWilliam P. FerrisPublished Online:13 Dec 2017https://doi.org/10.5465/apbpp.2001.6133575AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsDownload CitationsAdd to favoritesTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail AbstractThis paper describes an innovative training intervention using a part of the "Image Theatre" methodology originated by Augusto Boal, an internationally acclaimed Brazilian stage director and author. Though it was originally developed to help achieve political social ends, the paper author has used it to enhance teambuilding in industry. One such teambuilding intervention with a leading software and business solution company in the paper distribution industry is presented here. The team consisted of all members of the organization, including the CEO/owner--between 20 and 23 individuals over time. At the start of training, team members created tableaus in the break room--non-verbal, static poses in which they physically attempted to represent a model of their real relationships with each other. Tableaus were adjusted and ultimately agreed to by members, then photographed using a Polaroid camera. Additional tableaus in which team members depicted their ideal relationships as well as a transitional stage were also photographed. The various possible meanings of the tableaus were later discussed and tableaus subsequently served as part of a blueprint for the teambuilding intervention. Photographs were posted prominently within the work area during the training period. Various interactions within the organization were processed with reference to the tableaus during the eighteen months of teambuilding. Team member feedback with respect to the technique was also collected. Pre and post-test assessments using the Team Effectiveness Profile, with special reference to "Group Organization" and "Group Operating Processes," showed statistically significant progress in virtually every item at p<.01.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Vol. 2001, No. 1 Permissions Metrics in the past 12 months History Published online 13 December 2017 Published in print 1 August 2001 InformationCopyright of Academy of Management Journal is the property of Academy of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.KeywordsOCCUPATIONAL training -- Equipment & suppliesTEAMS in the workplace -- Training ofIMAGERY (Psychology)INTERPERSONAL relations -- Study & teachingINDUSTRIAL relations -- Study & teachingSOCIAL cohesionGROUP problem solvingGROUP processORGANIZATIONAL behavior -- ManagementDownload PDF