What are some effective MI team building activities?

1 MI Bingo

MI Bingo is a game that can help you and your team review and recognize the core elements of MI, such as open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries. To play, you need to create a bingo card with different MI statements or skills in each square. For example, one square could say "Ask a question that starts with 'What'". Then, you need to distribute the cards to your team members and ask them to listen to an audio or video recording of an MI conversation. As they listen, they need to mark the squares that match what they hear. The first one to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins. You can also use this game as a way to discuss and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the MI conversation.

2 MI Role Play

MI Role Play is a classic activity that can help you and your team practice and apply your MI skills in realistic scenarios. To play, you need to divide your team into pairs and assign each pair a role and a situation. For example, one pair could be a manager and an employee who wants to improve their performance. The manager's role is to use MI to help the employee explore their reasons and plans for change, while the employee's role is to respond authentically. The other pairs can observe and take notes. After each role play, you can debrief and exchange feedback on what worked well and what could be improved.

3 MI Quiz

MI Quiz is a fun and challenging activity that can help you and your team test and expand your MI knowledge. To play, you need to prepare a set of questions that cover different aspects of MI, such as the spirit, the processes, the skills, and the traps. For example, one question could be "What are the four processes of MI?". Then, you need to divide your team into groups and ask them to answer the questions as quickly and accurately as possible. You can use a timer, a buzzer, or a scoreboard to add some excitement and competition. You can also use this game as a way to review and clarify any concepts or terms that are unclear or confusing.

4 MI Case Study

MI Case Study is a useful and insightful activity that can help you and your team apply and integrate your MI skills in complex and nuanced situations. To play, you need to present your team with a case study that describes a real or fictional client who has a problem or a goal that requires change. For example, the case study could be about a patient who has diabetes and struggles to follow their treatment plan. Then, you need to ask your team to work together to formulate an MI strategy that would help the client move forward. You can also ask your team to role play how they would implement the strategy and what challenges they would anticipate or encounter.

5 MI Reflection

MI Reflection is a simple and effective activity that can help you and your team monitor and improve your MI skills over time. To play, you need to ask your team to reflect on their own MI practice and share their experiences, challenges, successes, and learnings. You can use a structured format, such as the MITI (Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity) or the MIA-STEP (Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency), to guide and evaluate your reflection. You can also use this game as a way to support and encourage each other and to identify areas for further development or training.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?