Have you participated in more than your share of bad icebreakers? Those introductory exercises that happen when someone wants to get a group engaged. Ones where you just want it to be over fast? We have too, which is why we were determined to create something different. What’s the purpose of an icebreaker? Icebreakers serve [...] Click to continue reading »
Working with Stressed Teams
Many of you are faced with creating programs for teams who are exhausted from change. The team may have faced layoffs and most are being asked to do more work with less resources than ever. In this five minute video I show you how to get these sessions off to a strong start by making [...] Click to continue reading »
Group Storytelling: Once Upon a Group
Purpose: This exercise gets energy flowing by tapping into the creative side of the participants Process: Each participant adds one or two sentences—and an image—to the story that begins with the prompt. Each participant has 30 seconds to select an image to continue the story. Prompt: “Once upon a time, there was a group who [...] Click to continue reading »
Icebreaker: Trust for Success
Purpose: This icebreaker gives people a chance to talk about what success looks like to them. Answers will help indicate how trust can be built or eroded. Choose a prompt. This may seem like a quick and obvious step, but actually, it is by far the most important. A well-formed and well-chosen prompt will reveal [...] Click to continue reading »
Visual Writing Prompts: Easy Free-Writer
Purpose This exercise gives participants a chance to slow down and take stock of where they are in the process. It lets them focus on a particular area of what they have covered so far. Choose a prompt. This may seem like a quick and obvious step, but actually, it is by far the most [...] Click to continue reading »
Stop whining and see alternatives
Everyday we hear stories about how stressed our customers organizations are. Continuous change, resource limitations, and uncertainty are the themes that are constant companions. What is whining all about? One concern is that if you let people talk, all they will do is whine. There are other ways to look at it. Whining happens when [...] Click to continue reading »
Visual Icebreaker: Teaming Up
Purpose: This exercise gets people engaged in a conversation about effective teams and not-so-effective ones. It will give you information on what your participants want to better team. It is designed to be done in small groups of 3-5 people. Choose a prompt. This may seem like a quick and obvious step, but actually, it [...] Click to continue reading »
Visual Wrap-up: Today's Take
Purpose This exercise gives participants a chance to talk about their perceptions and feelings about the meeting/process. Choose a prompt. This may seem like a quick and obvious step, but actually, it is by far the most important. A well-formed and well-chosen prompt will reveal insights; a poorly-selected one will fizzle. Suggestions: Pick a photo [...] Click to continue reading »
Visual Icebreaker: Can I trust you?
Purpose: This icebreaker provides an opportunity to start the process of finding out what trust means to the group. Choose a prompt. This may seem like a quick and obvious step, but actually, it is by far the most important. A well-formed and well-chosen prompt will reveal insights; a poorly-selected one will fizzle. Suggestions: What [...] Click to continue reading »
Mini-Assessment Icebreaker: Gooooooooalllllllll!
Drawn from our Visual Icebreaker Kit, this is a sample exercise that helps a facilitator conduct a mini-assessment of the group. Click to continue reading »