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Imagination and Brainstorming Bring Immediate Results by Susan Otto |
Imagine going into a conference session where the facilitator doesn't show up! Have you ever found yourself waiting, wondering if the facilitator would ever show? Most of us want to leave the session and try to catch another one before we miss too much. You'll never run into that situation at the North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA). We decided to create our own games and share.
We brainstormed areas of interest for which we could create games. Some of the suggestions were: negotiations, conflict, customer service, stress, etc. We narrowed the topics down twice to get to two topics: Conflict and Stress. Since there were 16 people in the session, we split into two groups of eight. Then we set out to create the games.
My group had the topic "conflict." And, actually, there was more conflict creating the game than in the game itself…not really, but close. It was a challenging assignment since we had only 20 minutes and were allowed to use only what was in the room to create and play the game.
"I'm Right!"
Goal
Participants will identify the major factors and elements of conflict.
Group Size
Two to forty, split into teams (teams of 3-6 seem to work best)
Materials
• A random object
• Several coins
• Newsprint, markers
Procedure
Assemble the participants in a circle or around a table. Place any object in the middle where everyone can see it. Tell the participants that the object before them is not what it appears to be. They must invent a new identity and use for the object – anything other than what it really is. Give them 30 seconds. Ask each participant to state his/her version of what the object is and post this version on newsprint for reference.
Explain that they have five minutes to convince the other participants that their explanation of the object is correct. Encourage them to argue their perspective forcefully if necessary.
While the discussion is in progress, the facilitator should walk around and randomly give participants a coin. The value of the coins, and the times they are given, should be unpredictable. You can also take coins away from a player if you like.
After the five minute time period, lead a discussion.
Discussion Questions
• What were some of your emotions as you tried to convince others of your point of view?
• What did you think about your ability to convince others?
• At what point did you feel most frustrated? Most successful?
• What interesting things did you see other players doing?
• What surprised you about how others played?
• At what point was the level of conflict most intense?
• What factors contributed to the level of conflict?
• What strategies or coping methods did players use to deal with conflict?
• What are both the positive and negative aspects of conflict?
• In what ways does this game mirror conflict in real life?
• What was the significance of giving coins to players?
• If the coins were a metaphor, what would they symbolize in real life?
• How would you play the game differently the next time?
• What if players didn't receive any coins?
• What is one thing you might do differently in your work or professional life after playing this game?
• What are the three most important things you've learned about conflict from this game?
Susan Otto, the president of Training-Modules.com, LLC, is committed to effectively partner with organizations and their employees to achieve strategic initiatives necessary for organizational success. Susan designs customized facilitator and participant guides for companies that want to do their own internal training. Contact her at 859.292.0095 or email her.. For information about Susan’s training modules, visit the Modules section of Training-Modules.com.
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