EMA reposted this
What does building a spaghetti tower have to do with effective communication? Quite a lot, actually! For the last two days, I’ve been working with the EMA, training an incredible group of leaders in the art of effective communication. One of the activities we did? The famous Spaghetti Tower Challenge—where teams build the tallest possible tower using only spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow on top. At first glance, it might seem like a fun team-building exercise (and it definitely is!). But beneath the surface, this activity highlights key lessons about communication, collaboration, and problem-solving under pressure. 💡 We all communicate differently – Some people want to jump in and start building. Others want to plan and discuss before taking action. Understanding these differences is key to working effectively with others. 💡 Clear roles and expectations matter – Who’s leading? Who’s testing the structure? Who’s making sure the marshmallow doesn’t bring the whole thing crashing down? Teams that communicate clearly about roles tend to build stronger towers—and stronger relationships. 💡 Feedback is essential – The best teams don’t wait until the end to see if their tower holds up. They test, adapt, and adjust as they go—just like effective communicators who check in, clarify, and refine their messages. This hands-on, experiential approach to learning is a big part of my work and the "magic" that I bring to any programme I'm facilitating. I believe that practicing skills in a safe environment, learning through peer collaboration and discussion, and making actionable commitments lead to real, long-term change. And yes, I firmly believe that learning should be fun! If you're looking to help your team communicate more effectively (without building actual spaghetti towers at work—unless that’s your thing!), let’s chat. What’s the best hands-on learning experience you’ve ever had in a workshop? I'd love to hear about it!