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This quick group exercise demonstrates the value of working in teams. Allow half an hour for completion.
Facilitator Guidance
This icebreaker would be an ideal exercise to use at the start of a teambuilding workshop. It should be run with two or more groups of four to six people. No prior knowledge of the topic is required.
What to Do (15 Minutes)
- Introduce the exercise, explaining that it is a gentle introduction to the teamwork session.
- The session should be split into groups of around four to six people.
- At least one group should be instructed to try and find an answer to three riddles (of your choice) individually. The other groups must find answers to three riddles as a team, through discussion or brainstorming. The groups that work in teams should be able to reach answers to the riddles faster and more efficiently than the individuals.
- During the exercise, observe the teams for examples of teamwork which will be highlighted during the feedback.
Review Activity (10 Minutes)
Bring the groups back together and go through the answers to the riddles:
- He was playing Monopoly.
- A square manhole cover can be turned and dropped down the diagonal of the manhole. A round manhole cannot be dropped down the manhole.
- One child picks up the basket with the last apple inside.
- Based on the fact that you are doubly unsure of options and consultants, you are likely to get a negative answer. Therefore build this into your question. Ask "Which option will the other consultant tell me is the one for success?" and ask it of either consultant. You will always get the wrong answer (so choose the right other option). The truth teller will tell you that the liar will suggest the failure option as successful, while the liar will reverse this arrangement.
- They were two of a set of triplets (or quadruplets etc.).
There is More Than One Possible Outcome to This Exercise.
- You would expect the groups which work in teams to answer the riddle faster. If this is the case, discuss why this was so, feeding back positive examples of teamwork. You may want to note good practice on a flipchart.
- It is possible that the groups working as a team did not solve the riddles as fast as those working individually. If this is the outcome, explore with the team if they buy into the principle that ‘two minds are better than one’. Then explore what the individuals did to solve the riddles quickly that those working in the team could learn from. It is also likely in this scenario that you will have observed examples of ineffective team working. Explore this with the groups.
Apply Learning (5 Minutes)
Briefly discuss the merits of working in a team, as opposed to on your own, in the workplace. You could also explore with the team if there is anything they are currently working on individually that might benefit from working in pairs or as a small team. If it is appropriate, you could summarize the key learning points i.e. ground rules they may want to set themselves for working together effectively.
Thinking as a Team – Task Sheet
This quick group exercise demonstrates the value of working in teams.
Task As a team, or individually (you will be told which group you are in), try and find an answer to three of the riddles from the list below.
- A man pushed his car. He stopped when he reached a hotel at which point he knew he was bankrupt. Why?
- Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones?
- There are ten children and ten apples. Each child picks up an apple, yet there is one left in the basket. How can this be?
- You have two choices: option 1 and option 2. One gives success, while the other leads to certain failure, but you do not know which is which. Two experts, Dr Smith and Dr Robert, know the answers. However, one is a constant liar, while the other is always truthful, but again, you don't know which is which. You can ask one question, of one consultant, once only before having to choose your best option. What question should you ask to help your choice and who should you ask?
- A woman had two sons who were born on the same hour of the same day of the same year. They were not twins. How could this be so?
