Check-ins

Open your meeting with a Check-in. This is a really effective method to bring everyone into the meeting to get them mentally present and ready to start. This space creates knowledge and insight about each other and perhaps what else might be here. For example: Tell us about your shoes? Take 30 seconds to a […]

1, 2, 4, All

Anyone leading meetings, presentations, or teams should be aware of Liberating Structures. 1, 2, 4, All is one of the best facilitation techniques in my toolbox.

What Relates to You?

Prepare 4 sets of 3 posters containing a large single word (see list below) and place them in 3 spots in the room with a cover sheet on top. Each flip chart will have one of the words from each set in the same order. Army, Navy, Air Force Beach, Mountain, City Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry Dog, Cat, Other Gather everyone […]

Bibbity-Bobbity-Bop

One of my favorites! Played in a circle (minimum 9). You start in the middle to explain and begin the game. The goal is to get somebody to take your place. The game is played in rounds with an explanation of the rules before starting a new round. I usually timebox this game to 10-15 […]

Closer to the Sun

Participants form a circle around an object on the ground identified as the sun. Ask participants to move closer to or further from the sun dependent upon the accuracy of each statement. I live in [blank] County. I was born in [blank] State. I like my job. This is the best job I ever had. […]

VisualsSpeak

Use their images to start conversations. Watch team formation surface in powerful ways. Highly recommend this for every facilitators toolkit. Thanks to Sylvia Taylor for introducing me. VisualsSpeak

Breakup or Love Letters

Unashamedly stolen from a session at Agile 2011. Great fun. Prepare to be amazed at the creativity and talent within your group. Breakup Letter Love Letter

Where have I been?

Where have you been and what have you done since we last saw you? A simple question which is great when building a new team. I have seen it used to great effect at the beginning of day two in a four day workshop. Team members from out of town and those more local get […]

The Human Knot

Getting to know each other better is unavoidable. Tip: This works best if you start with a circle not an oblong as it avoids circles forming within circles. For 10 or more players, I’ve played with as many as 50. The Human Knot