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Human Resource Development

Shape Up

Details
Time Required- Activity: 30 minutes, Debrief: 30 minutes (minimum)
Group Size: 10 – 30 participants
Space: 20 x 40 (minimum room size)
Open space – no chairs, tables, etc.
Materials: One Toobeez set, blindfolds (one per participant)

Description
A group of blindfolded people attempt to form a perfect square (or other shape) form a perfect square (or other shape) using Toobeez.

The Activity Setup
Count out the Toobeez needed for the shape you have chosen (see chart below). Keep them out of sight of the participants until the activity begins.

shape up.jpg
shape up chart.jpg

Instructions

Facilitator Script
To begin, stand in a circle facing in. Now put a blindfold on so none of you will be able to see. When I ask you to begin, you will find something inside your circle. Keep your hands out in front of you and move slowly to avoid bumping into each other. (Once everyone is blindfolded, quietly place the Toobeez inside the circle. Then continue with the instructions.) Keeping your eyes closed and blindfolded at all times, find the objects in your midst. Make sure all of them are off the ground and in someone’s hand. (Once they find all the Toobeez, continue.)
Now, use the objects in your hands to make a perfect square (or other shape). Here are some guidelines:
1. You may only make one perfect shape, and you must use all the pieces.
2. You may only use the objects inside the circle to form the square.
3. Everyone much be standing along an edge and touching the shape for you to be complete.

You will have 20 minutes to complete this activity.

Once the activity begins, your role as facilitator is to observe and watch for safety. You may need to remind people to move slowly with their hands out to avoid collisions. Listen and look for the following: How people manage the project, work together, support each other, and communicate.

The Debrief
Opening: The intention of this activity is to develop project management skills and enhance communication among 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?
  • How did you handle the lack of control?
  • What was the biggest challenge of this activity (being blindfolded, coordinating with the team, communication or other)?

Closing: Project management includes planning, organizing, implementing, and measuring the results. When working on project, determining the needs in each of these phases can be a great challenge. To succeed, you must communicate clearly and openly, define roles, support the contributions of the team, accept responsibility for the project’s outcome.

Concluding Questions

  • What did you learn about communication and project management?
  • What could have been done differently?
  • Where else in your professional life do you act with partial information, relying on those around you?
  • What can you now do differently to optimize those situations?

Action Plans

  • How many ways can you apply what you’ve learned in this activity to:
  • Meeting team goals
  • Coworker relationships
  • Professional development
  • 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.