This activity demonstrates the importance of clear communication between coaches and teams. Participants are split into groups and given balloons to inflate, with the goal of producing the most "acceptable" balloons as judged by their coach. However, the coaches are not given clear instructions on what qualifies as acceptable. As a result, teams become frustrated as their balloons are popped without understanding the criteria. A discussion afterwards reveals that lack of understanding caused lower productivity and negative emotions. The key lessons are that effective coaching requires setting specific standards and ensuring teams comprehend expectations.

1. An activity that shows the need of
complete communication between
coach and team

2.  By end of this activity, you will be able to:
 Describe the need for complete and open
communication
 Experience the frustration of someone who is asked
to perform to standards that are not known
 Appreciate team effort
 Describe the attributes of an effective coach

3.  Copy of exercise for coach
 Balloons of the same size (12 for each participant)
 Straight pins )or any sharp object)
 Scorekeeping device

4. Divide the participants into
groups of five, explain that each
team will have a coach and the
team’s goal will be to produce
more ‘acceptable’ inflated
balloons than the opposing teams.
Give 12 balloons to each
participant. They will be given 5
minutes to produce balloons.
Each team can select a coach.

5. Take coaches out of the room and
give them instructions for what
will be judged as an acceptable
inflated balloon. They will also
receive a pin or sharp object. The
only feedback they are allowed
to give their team is approval or
rejection of balloons, rejection
will be coach popping balloon.

6. Tell the teams that their coach will accept only those balloons that meet the
criteria; only acceptable balloons will count. If the participants ask what
constitutes ‘acceptable’ tell them that their coach will give them constant
feedback concerning the acceptability of the balloon.

7.  An acceptable balloon is fully
inflated and held high other their
heads

8.  The participants will want verbal feedback and will become increasingly
frustrated as unacceptable balloons are popped. Some teams will attempt
to uncover the riddle of what makes a balloon acceptable. Some teams
will give up as they become fearful of the reprimand.

9. Congratulate the winning team. In response to the complaints about the lack
of fairness, ask for feedback.
What problems did you have with production?
What would have facilitated production?
What caused frustration, anxiety, or confusion?

10. Ask the participants to describe:
What just happened?
What was learned?
Why was this activity conducted?
Lead a discussion about the necessity of
complete and fully understood
communication for team and individual
production. Lead the participants in
understanding and discussing the attributes
of the effective coach as a person who sets
specific standards and makes sure that those
standards are fully understood and accepted
by the employees.

11. The concepts learned should be those that emerged from the discussion.
Focus on how understanding can be applied on the job. Some possibilities
could be:
Effective communication should be specific
Employees want to know what is expected of them
Ineffective communication results in lower productivity
Ineffective communication causes people to become frustrated, fearful
and resentful