Team-based events: A tale of perspective

Two stories, two perspectives

The thousands of participant comments we have read over the years basically reflect a bell curve with best and worst “tails”. Some participants find events extremely meaningful; a small minority express that their time would have been better spent elsewhere while the majority of comments fall in the familiar bell. How can the same event be experienced so differently? We believe this reflects “participant perspectives”.  Learning experiences are essentially neutral. How one interacts with it makes all the difference.

An example: Let’s meet Learner 1 and Learner 2.

Learner 1 is an undergraduate student determined to get into a competitive professional program. This student fixated on grades and feared failure. Stress became the norm. Despite strong performance, the outcome didn’t align with hopes—and the journey was stressful and exhausting.

Learner 2 is a graduate student juggling work and parenting. This learner focused less on marks and more on learning for personal and professional growth. Without aiming for perfection, this learner thrived—earning high grades, enjoying the process, and staying healthy along the way.

These aren’t fictional extremes–and, as a matter of fact, Learner 1 and Learner 2 are the same person at different stages. But these represent real patterns we’ve seen over and over again. And often, the key difference comes down to mindset: grade-based learning vs. authentic learning.

Why mindset matters: distress vs. eustress

Let’s talk about “stress”. Not all stress is bad. In fact, eustress—positive stress that motivates and challenges us—can enhance learning and performance. Distress, on the other hand, can shut us down.

Grade-based learning often leads to distress: anxiety, fear of failure, competitiveness, rushing to “just get it done.”

Authentic learning tends to foster eustress: curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement. If your focus is on protecting your GPA, you might miss opportunities to grow as a teammate, communicator, and future professional.

The power of perspective

Interprofessional education (IPE) and common topic modules (CTMs) offered centrally by USask Health Sciences are designed to provide opportunities for participants to practice key durable skills like communication, team functioning, and decision-making—not to test or rank participants. In our centrally-facilitated team-based events, there are no grades, the pressure is low, and “right” answers don’t exist. The learning is in the doing–and the learning is real—regardless of one’s perspective.

Every inter-professional and intra-professional team-based event is opportunity to:

• Connect with future colleagues
• Practice durable skills like leadership, communication, time management, and collaboration
• Explore important topics with others in a low-pressure setting
• Engage without external validation—just curiosity and growth

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be professional and present. Show up, follow the instructions, and engage. That’s it.

Tips to get the most out of your team-based learning experience

Here are a few ways to get the most from your team-based experiences:

1. Protect the Time

Clear your schedule for the team meeting. You can’t engage meaningfully if you’re multitasking or distracted.

2. Be Ready to Connect

Test your mic and camera. Whether you’re joining a virtual “coffee shop” or meeting in-person, be prepared to engage face-to-face—there are great tips in our Effect of the Butterfly and First Impressions posts.

3. Minimize Distractions

Silence your phone, close irrelevant browser tabs, and bring a coffee or tea if that helps you settle in.

4. Follow the Path (But Wander Too)

Use the instructions as your guide, but feel free to explore related questions or ideas with your team. There’s no penalty for creative thinking here—in fact our team encourages it!

5. Shift from “Now” Thinking to “Future” Thinking

Think about who you want to be as a professional—not just what needs to get done today. These events are designed to help you prepare for that future.

Reframe your learning experience

IPE learning activities don’t have marks (from us)—not because they aren’t important, but because these events are designed for you to focus on developing the durable skills you’ll need to be an effective team member.

In healthcare and related professions, your ability to collaborate across disciplines is just as critical as your technical expertise. These team-based activities simulate real-world dynamics and let you practice in a safe space—without the stress of being evaluated or watched by preceptors or tutors.

But don’t fall into the trap of “no grade = no value.” Instead, lean into the opportunity to:

• Be curious
• Try new things
• Learn from others
• Build relationships
• Make mistakes and grow

Final thoughts: Make it yours

The truth is, no matter how well an event is designed, you create your own learning experience. Whether it becomes “the best of times” or “a waste of time” depends less on the activity itself and more on how you frame it.

So take a breath.

Relax.

Follow the instructions, show up for your team, and let go of the need for external validation.

You can’t go wrong.

This is about who you’re becoming, not what grade you’re getting.

Next time you're preparing for a team activity, ask yourself: “What can I learn here—not just about the content, but about myself, my future role, and my future colleagues?” The answer might surprise you.

Our team is cheering you on.

— Chantal, Getahun, and Sheryl