Find Your Way

Details
Time Required: Activity: 20 – 45 minutes, Debrief: 20 minutes (minimum)
Group Size: 4 – 24 participants per set of Toobeez
Space: 20 x 20 (minimum room size) Open space – no chairs, tables, etc.
Materials: One Toobeez set, one maze map (included), beeper or whistle

Description
The group must figure out the correct way through the maze and get as many participants through it in the time allotted.

The Activity Set Up
Place the Toobeez on the floor in the pattern indicated in the diagram. The Toobeez pieces will act as the frame. The maze is the path they must follow to navigate through it. See picture at left for the layout of frame. You will need:

8 green tubes on the outside
4 gold tubes for the inside other side of the curtain
8 red tubes make the x’s on the outer squares
2 blue tubes make the x on the middle square

Choose a maze map from below (you will need to have a sketch or copy of the map maze in your hand during the activity).

Maze maps – pick one route to follow, beginning at either end.

Instructions

Facilitator Script
There is only one correct way through this Toobeez maze from point A to point B (indicate beginning and end to the participants). The object of the activity is for you to determine what that correct path is and then have as many of you go through the maze as possible in the time allotted.
You must adhere to the following guidelines:

You may not write anything down or mark the maze in any way during this activity.
As a group, you will establish an order to go through the maze, one at a time, and that order will be set for the remainder of the activity.
As participants move through the maze, a facilitator will be checking your movements against the maze map. If you make an incorrect move, the facilitator will “beep” or blow the whistle, indicating the incorrect movement. At this point, your turn is over and you will return to the back of the line.
You will only go through the maze successfully once until everyone else has also successfully traversed the boxes. Form a new line of completed participants.
You may speak only during the planning phase. Once people enter the maze, only nonverbal communication is permitted.
Participants may not see the maze map (which will be held by a facilitator).
You will have 30 minutes to complete this activity. As a group you may decide how much of that time to use for planning before the first person enters the maze. (Thirty (30) minutes is based on using a medium difficulty maze for 12 people).

The Debrief
Opening: The intention of this activity is to enhance communication, trust, and cooperation among the participants. However, this activity offers many lessons, so let the participants share with you what they learned and their comments as to the purpose of the activity.

What was the point of this exercise?
Where was your focus during the activity? Was it on going through the maze yourself or getting everyone on your team through?
Were you concerned with looking good or being right?
What was the biggest challenge of this activity?

Closing: This activity is a platform for new actions. We navigate “mazes” without maps all the time. Clear communication, a team focus, responsibility for everyone’s outcome, and openness to guidance are critical to everyone’s success.

Concluding Questions

What did you learn about teamwork or communication?
What could have been done differently?
Where in your professional life are you uncertain of your next step? What can you now do differently to address those challenges?

Action Plans

How many ways can you relate what you learned in today’s activity to:
- Everyday management
- Client relationships
- Professional development
Promotions/advancement
Based on your new experiences and insights, what could be different in going forward?
What three action steps (with specific, measurable results) will you take this month to begin incorporating what you’ve learned into your daily routine?

For additional instructions and modifications click HERE.