Balkan Joint Board Training

2024

This comprehensive training united board members from Local BEST Groups across Mostar, Niš, Novi Sad, Zagreb, and Skopje with the goal of strengthening leadership, collaboration, and organizational skills. A core focus was on team dynamics, where participants were divided into small groups tasked with moving a paper frog through a maze under unique constraints. Each team member was assigned to move the frog in only one direction, and only one member could navigate it over a ladder. The challenge culminated in a no-communication round, testing non-verbal coordination and trust. Our team, Team Butterfree, mastered this by carefully timing finger movements, communicating through subtle gestures, and completing the maze in under three seconds - an impressive testament to synergy and mutual understanding. The feedback training introduced effective methods for delivering constructive criticism, with special emphasis on the 'sandwich method' - starting with positive feedback, followed by areas of improvement, and ending on a positive note. This approach encourages open, empathetic dialogue, reduces defensiveness, and fosters a growth mindset within teams. Additionally, participants practiced giving and receiving feedback in real scenarios, building confidence and emotional intelligence. Non-violent communication (NVC) was another key component, focusing on expressing oneself honestly and listening empathetically. Through role-playing and reflective exercises, attendees learned to identify feelings and needs behind words, avoid blame, and create mutual respect - crucial skills for resolving conflicts and maintaining healthy team environments. Delegation workshops explored when and how to assign tasks effectively. Participants learned to evaluate team members' strengths, workload, and motivation, and understood that delegation is not just task distribution but also empowering others. This training underscored the importance of clear instructions, follow-up, and balancing control with trust to optimize productivity. Accountability sessions distinguished between responsibility - the duties assigned to someone - and accountability, which is owning the outcome of those duties. Using a practical scale exercise, attendees gained insight into holding themselves and others accountable without blame, fostering transparency and trust within organizations. Fundraising modules equipped participants with strategies to secure resources sustainably. Topics included crafting compelling proposals, identifying potential donors, organizing events, and leveraging social networks. The training emphasized aligning fundraising efforts with organizational goals and ethical considerations. Finally, problem-solving workshops provided frameworks and creative techniques such as brainstorming, root cause analysis, and decision matrices. Participants practiced applying these tools to real-world challenges, enhancing their ability to think critically and collaborate effectively under pressure. Held in Niš, this training was a pivotal experience that deepened regional collaboration, empowered future leaders, and prepared attendees to lead diverse teams and complex projects within BEST and beyond.