No more boring meetings! I cannot claim to be the creator of any of this stuff but I have tried, tested and can recommend all of it. "Nobody has to play but everybody is welcome."
Form groups of 6 to 8 people. Challenge each group to create a machine out of their members by imitating the appearance and action of the machine with as many parts (gears, levers, etc.) as they can devise. The machine should have motion and sound, and include all team members. (If a group is having […]
Read More The Human MachineOne 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 […]
Read More Bibbity-Bobbity-BopCredit to @ChrisSims who I first saw running a session like this at an AONW conference. I have used this exercise to help teams understand how a they can reach consensus in estimating work regardless of the differences in experience and skill-set amongst them. Part 1 Divide your room into equal teams (6 – 10 people on a team works well). […]
Read More Estimation GameOpen 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 about 30 seconds to […]
Read More Check-insAnyone 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.
Read More 1, 2, 4, AllAn awesome icebreaker. No words. Lots of smiles.
Read More Copy ClapsPartner activity in which one person traces the identical path of their partner’s fingers as they draw numbers in the air.
Read More Space CountingA quick and easy way to gather everyone’s attention. All you need is a pair of scissors. http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/scissors-or-crossed-uncrossed-game.html
Read More Crossed or Un-Crossed?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 […]
Read More What Relates to You?Not a game exactly but a great exercise in introducing and integrating new team members. Credit: George Dinwiddie – Onboarding New Team Members
Read More Onboarding New Team Members
Games Simon Plays 