Unlock the Potential of Individual and Team Development

Join a unique 6 day facilitator train-the-trainer program designed to enhance your skills in personal and team development using proven methodologies:

• Appreciative Inquiry (AI)
• Diversity Icebreaker (DI)
• TeamReflect (TR)

This immersive program is led by experts Bjørn Z. Ekelund and Dr. Markos Perrakis and offers both professional development and certification opportunities.

Our goal in this program is to combine work related personal development with train-the-trainer competence for the use of Diversity Icebreaker and TeamReflect.

The pedagogical structure during the 6day programme

The Appreciative inquiry method will be applied as a framework for personal, individual and team development. At personal level the participants will apply the Appreciative inquiry for their own development during the week. Focus will be on their work-role. The Diversity Icebreaker will be applied for personal assessment of individual preferences for communication and interaction style. It will also constitute the basis for establishing a psychological safe climate focusing on positive social interaction and feedback for a dialog-oriented learning community. The Diversity Icebreaker will also be applied to introduce interdisciplinarity between the real world (natural sciences), the social world (social sciences) and how we formulate better ideas for future interaction (humanities). The TeamReflect is an assessment that we will apply as an introduction to team –processes as well as for collective reflections on processes during the week. At the end of the week each participant will explore their own case from their context applying learning models established in the course.

• Receive a diploma for completing the train-the-trainer program.
• Gain proficiency in using (DI) Diversity Icebreaker and (TR) TeamReflect as stand-alone and integrated tools.
• Enhance your ability to lead developmental training programs for individuals and teams.

This workshop is highly experiential and participative. It consists of short theoretical inputs, concrete exercises, and group discussions. Reflecting upon and applying each tool to your real-life cases from your everyday work, you will practise and gain new insights into your current dilemmas.

Duration:    6 days

Dates:         5th – 10th May 2025

Location:    Chania- Crete, Greece

This program is ideal for HR professionals, organizational development consultants, and team leaders who want to:

• Advance their facilitation skills.
• Apply innovative tools for team and individual growth.
• Receive certifications to utilize DI and TR effectively.

Bjørn Z. Ekelund

• Founder of Human Factors AS
• Creator of Diversity Icebreaker and TeamReflect.
• Renowned researcher, author, and facilitator with over 25 years of experience.
• One of the most renowned and established experts in Norway within the fields of collaboration, team development, communication in team and management across functional roles and cultural diversities.
• Since the mid-1990s, Bjørn Z. Ekelund has maintained strong connections with research communities in England, the USA, and Canada. This collaboration has led to numerous conference presentations, articles, book chapters, and books, often focusing on managing cross-cultural differences. Over his career, Ekelund has contributed to five published cross-cultural research studies, spanning from 1997 to 2024.
• Ekelund’s research addresses several critical areas within cross-cultural studies, including trust in leadership, handling critical incidents, cultural intelligence, violations of psychological contracts, and the employability of people with disabilities. These areas highlight his commitment to understanding and improving how diverse teams interact and perform in various organizational contexts.
• One of Ekelund’s most significant contributions is the development of the Diversity Icebreaker tool. This innovative tool has been implemented in over 75 countries and is available in 15 languages. Designed to enhance cross-cultural understanding, Diversity Icebreaker reflects core values aligned with Norwegian work culture, such as equality, respect, and trust.
• Delivered more than 1000 consultant-engagements in more than 20 countries. –
• Published 6 books and published over 30 scientific articles. The latest book: “Unleashing the Power of Diversity – How to Open Minds for Good” is published on Routledge Publishing – one of the top 10 HR books of 2019 according to acclaimed US HR company, BambooHR.

Dr. Markos Perrakis is a leadership development & process facilitator, psychologist, speaker, consultant and trainer of individuals and teams, founder and Managing Director of the EU Adult training & Counseling Provider Fractality. He designs and implements EU projects in the fields of leadership development and strategic planning, and uses eclectic appreciative approaches in the public and private sector in order to promote effective communication, individual and collective process development. He specializes in coaching, supervision, human capital development, training and assessments. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Styles and their efficiency in organisations with publications in the fields of organizational psychology and counseling and a M.A. in clinical Psychology. He is trained in Systemic Consultation, solution focused & cognitive behavioural approaches, methods of participatory design, Spiritual Intelligence, a certified provider of Vocational Guidance and Professional Orientation, utilizing psychometric assessments and coaching tools for teams and individuals in organizational, career and personality issues and ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.  He is representative of the Association of International Institution Supervision in Europe (ANSE), Member of International Intervision Groups, Scientific Assistant of SOL (Society of Organisational Learning), Scientific partner of the European Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (EUMU) in Greece, in the fields of Strategic Planning and Human Capital Development programmes.

Dr. Perrakis is one of the first persons in Greece who applied the methodology of Appreciative Inquiry, which is used in the UN Summit by UN leaders. In contrast to the traditional management approaches that focus on problems, the appreciative approach makes use of the potential of the human capital of organizations

Our program takes place in the Island of Crete, one of the most exotic destinations of the Aegean Sea in Greece. The workshop and the accommodation is at the unique 5-star village resort of Porto Platanias in Chania that provides you with safe and luxurious accommodations. It is the perfect place to combine personal growth with holidays.

This Mediterranean destination embraces both sea and charming nature. Porto Platanias Village is located within walking distance from the beach and the village of Platanias. Local taverns, Greek eateries, and arts shops draw people from all around the world and contribute to the vibrant feeling of the Cretan summer, still offering 30°C (86°F) daytime temperatures and 25°C (77°F) warm sea to enjoy in September. For more information on the venue, visit: http://www.portoplataniasvillage.gr Closest international airports: Chania (24 km); Heraklion (165 km)

Additional option:

• A half-day excursion with the group led by locals – €50

Questions or concerns? please contact us at [email protected] or call +302106010522.
Cancellation Policy*

Until 30 days before the starting date of the selected workshop, cancellation will be free of charge and the pre-payment will be fully refunded. Between 30 to 15 days before the starting date of the workshop, 50% of the fee will be refunded. Within the 15 days before the starting date of the workshop no refunds will be made.