Objectives
- To understand the importance of clear communication, including feedback.
- To recognise the value in taking risks, making mistakes and learning from them.
Time
45 minutes
Materials Required
Two blank sheets of A4 paper for each team member and pens or pencils.
Instructions
- Select a volunteer from the team and ask them to come to the front. Give him or her Diagram 1. The volunteer must sit with his or her back turned to the team, but in such a way that they cannot see the diagram. The volunteer describes the diagram in detail so that the team members can draw the diagram as described. They may not ask any questions. The volunteer decides when he or she has given them enough information.
- When this step is completed, share the results of the team members and compare it with the original. Did anyone get it right?
- Select another volunteer from the team and ask them to come to the front. Give him or her Diagram 2. This time the volunteer can face the team, but in such a way that they can not see the diagram. The volunteer describes the diagram in detail so that the team members can draw the diagram as described. However this time the team may ask as many questions as they like and seek clarification. Again, no communication other than oral communication is permitted. The team decides when they are satisfied and have no more questions.
- Share the results and compare with the original.
Debrief
- Ask the team whether the exercise was difficult. Were there differences each time? Did the possibility of seeking feedback (asking questions) make a difference? Did visual contact help the volunteer see when team members were having difficulty?
- Did the volunteer present the big picture from the outset (describe the whole image before beginning to describe the detail? This is a very important lesson that applies to all work tasks, that is the need to put the detail in perspective.
- Did the team members make assumptions?
- Did the team members have a lapse in attention?