Here’s a recent exchange I had with a TeachMeTeamwork.com member looking for advice on articles to provide a group after his teambuilding session.  I’m sharing it because I’m guessing this person’s approach to providing resources for the group is common.  Most trainers don’t provide pre-assessments and therefore must rely on what the group’s contact tells them about the group (like you’ll see below).

NOTE:  Arnold isn’t really his name.  I changed it to protect his identity.

Hi Tom,
I am putting together a leadership training program proposal. I am in search of some hand out articles that they are requesting at the end of the three-hour teambuilding program. Can you suggest anything?  The participants are young professionals 25-35 years old.  Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you, Arnold

Hi Arnold,
Have you done a needs assessment with the group?  The resources you supply should be in harmony with their needs.
Thoughts?
— Tom

Hi Tom,
Yes of course, I am looking for articles {general in nature}. One of their requests was that the participants have research articles or information articles as “take home” reading and information.  Can you help recommend articles and how I can obtain them?
From my proposal…
>> At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe:
Why organizations rely upon teams
What a productive team looks like
How to Build Effective Teams
Group and Team Dynamics
— Thanks. Arnold

Hi Arnold
I get that you have an outline of what you want to give to the group.  However, unless you complete a detailed needs assessment with the group (each member of the group) then whatever you give them you’ll just be guessing and if you want to guess then give them anything.
— Tom

Tom-
I do not believe that every group member needs a “needs assessment.” The needs assessment was given to the director of the program. The program is being designed for the director of the program I will ask you in a more direct way. Do you have an article that specifically speaks about ways to find common ground or win-win between different opinions?
Thanks, Arnold

Hi Arnold
You wrote:
    I do not believe that every group member needs a “needs assessment.”
In this case I disagree.  We see things differently.  That’s OK.
    The program is being designed for the director of the program
Again, we see things differently. Designing the program to meet the needs of the director will do just that – – but you’ll likely miss the target when it comes to meeting the needs of the team.  That’s OK to.  All is in perfect order.

As for articles….
I suggest everyone on this team read “Silos, Politics and Turf Wars” by Patrick Lencioni

I also suggest this team read Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”

You can get abstracts of the above books here.

I hope that helps. Good luck.

Tom

PS  There is a very simple and very powerful needs assessment survey in “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” that you could easily administer to all team members prior to the program.  The information you gather will likely change your program design.