LeadershipResourcesGuide

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One-Way Communication
Give each member of the group a sheet of paper. Make certain everyone has the same size sheet.
Explain that they are to follow instructions precisely, and that they are not allowed to ask questions.
AND, they are to follow the instructions with their eyes closed. State the instructions:
1. Fold the paper in half.
2. Rip off a corner.
3. Fold in half again.
4. Rip off a corner.
5. Fold again.
6. Rip off a corner.
Have them open their eyes and compare their “design” with others.
Point of the exercise: One-way communication is never as effective as two-way; it gives different results.
Point of the Exercise Script: I gave each of you the exact same directions, yet look how different the
papers are! You didn’t listen to me! Y’all aren’t very bright!”. The participants will defend their creative
decisions by saying your directions weren’t specific and that they weren’t allowed to ask clarifying
questions. Of course, they were allowed to ask questions, but they chose not to, just like some of them
do in real life.
When it comes to customer service and working with people, it’s always better to ask questions and
maintain open dialogue. If a person has to make an “original” decision, he or she should own that
decision and not blame someone else for a lack of information.
Five of Anything
Ask each person in the group to share their five
favorite movies of all time, or their five favorite
novels, or their five least liked films, and so forth.
The topic can be five of anything - most liked or
disliked. This ice breaker helps the group explore
shared interests more broadly and sparks lots of
discussion about why each person likes or dislikes
their selected five.
You can also use this ice breaker for topical
discussion. As an example, in a
you might ask, “What are five
dysfunctional behaviors you have experienced
when participating on an unsuccessful team?” Or,
“Think about the best team you have ever been
on. What are five that made it your
best or most ?”
Name Game
Have all people attending the meeting write their
names vertically on a piece of paper. Next to each
letter of their names, they must write a word that
starts with that letter that tells something about
them. Have each person read their words. This
requires some creative thinking, and participants
can learn more about fellow employees.
The Funniest Thing
Ask group members to write down the funniest
thing that happened to them or in their
department since the last meeting. Put the
responses in a bowl. Or just ask participants to
share their stories.