🏆 Building Collective Momentum in the SATS Accelerate Program

Strong teams do not form through alignment slides or frameworks alone. They are built through shared experiences that surface how people communicate, make decisions, and support one another under pressure.

That intention came to life during the SATS Accelerate Program, where colleagues from across countries, time zones, and functions came together at Singapore Management University for an immersive leadership journey.

As part of the program, the Miki Island simulation was introduced to bring the idea of high-performing teams and collective intelligence to life, supporting SATS’ broader ambition to move #OneSATS forward.

Different Roles, Different Contexts, One Shared Experience 🤝

Participants in the SATS Accelerate Program came from diverse functions and geographies. Many were meeting for the first time, stepping away from familiar routines and into an unfamiliar environment.

There was some natural apprehension at the start. But participants chose to approach the experience with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be fully present.

That mindset shaped the week.

Through the Miki Island simulation, teams were placed into a fast-moving, ambiguous scenario where progress depended on connection, communication, and collective decision-making, rather than individual expertise or hierarchy.

What the Miki Island Simulation Made Visible 🏝️

During gameplay, everyday team dynamics surfaced quickly and naturally.

Under time pressure and uncertainty, participants experienced how:
🧠 Collective intelligence leads to better outcomes
🤝 Trust enables faster coordination
🔄 Flexibility matters when plans shift
🎯 Shared purpose helps teams stay aligned

From the chaos of trying to escape Miki Island (iykyk 😉) to moments of shared problem-solving, the simulation created a strong common reference point for the rest of the program.

Instead of talking about collaboration, participants experienced it.

Reflection, Trust, and Camaraderie 💬

Beyond the simulation itself, the program created space for meaningful reflection and connection.

Participants explored what it means to:
🌱 Build trust in diverse teams
👂 Listen with empathy
🔁 Adapt together through change
🤝 Work across differences while staying connected

There were moments of laughter, honest sharing, and celebration. From classroom discussions to outdoor challenges, and even personal milestones marked together, participants discovered new sides of one another beyond job titles and roles.

These shared moments strengthened relationships and built a sense of camaraderie that extended beyond the program.

A Thoughtfully Curated Team Experience 🎓

The SATS Accelerate Program was organised by Singapore Management University, with Alex Martin and Boon Chong Goh, and delivered by our very own certified Miki Island partner, Markus Leonhard Keiper, alongside a dedicated group of facilitators and contributors.

The program balanced challenge and reflection, creating an environment that encouraged participation, openness, and meaningful dialogue.

Within this broader journey, Miki Island played a supporting role by helping teams experience how connection, shared ownership, and collective decision-making shape performance in practice.

Carrying Collective Momentum Forward 🚀

What emerged from the SATS Accelerate Program was not just insight, but momentum.

A shared understanding that alignment does not mean sameness.
It means embracing differences and channelling them towards a common goal.

Experiences like this matter because they create the conditions for teams to connect, reflect, and move forward together. Sometimes, that shared momentum is exactly what teams need to strengthen collaboration and sustain performance over time ✨.