Posts Tagged ‘communication icebreakers’

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If you're looking for a fun way to demonstrate communication skills here's a neat little communications exercise that will throw up lots for discussion on the accuracy of communication.

You will need a group size of at least 2 teams; a small lego model and an extra set of lego materials per team.

 Split the group into teams of 4-6 people and give each team a set of lego materials. Place the lego model away from the team’s view but make sure it is of equal distance from each team. Ask one member from each team to come forward to view the model for 20 seconds.

Send this person back to their team, when they should then instruct the rest of the team on how to build the model. They are not allowed to touch the model themselves. After one minute ring a bell or ask the teams to send another person to view for 5 seconds. This continues until the first team declare that they have the perfectly replicated model. The model is checked and if they are correct, they win, if not the exercise continues. The exercise can continue until all teams have finished.

This simple communications game should throw up plenty for discussion:

• How accurate were the instructions?
•  How hard is it to re-create something without being able to see?
• How difficult is it to view but not build?
• How pressured were individuals?

If you enjoyed this communication ice breaker you will find many more fantastic games and icebreakers to enhance your training programs and events on the ice breaker ideas web-site. Sharon Naylor is passionate about ice breaker games and team building activities to get people joining in and having fun. "When people are switched on and engaged they are more disposed to learning and taking in the main messages of the day." Games and icebreakers are suitable for any type of group and activity whether it be for young people or adults; work training or functions or social events, meetings and clubs.

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Here's a great little communications exercise, ice breaker or warm-up suitable for any kind of group training or team building session. There is no limit on size of group and it takes only 10 to 15 minutes.

Use random objects to create a minefield such as pieces of paper, clothing or file folders. Give the team members the “mines” and have them disperse them over a field or gym floor. After the mines are all set up, separate the team into pairs of people. Provide a blindfold for one of the people and allow the other person to have sight. Instruct the pairs that the person with sight has to successfully guide their team mate through the minefield using just words. Allow all the pairs to go at the same time so that each blindfolded person has to listen closely for their leader.

Review the exercise by asking participants to name the skills needed to successfully complete the task

• How easy or difficult was it to hear instructions?
• Were the instructions accurate enough to be able to complete the task?
• How did it feel to be blindfolded?

This useful communication icebreaker illustrates leadership, communication and listening skills, building trust, giving and receiving accurate instructions.

For tons more amazing communications activities, ice breakers and games to use with your groups visit the ice breaker ideas web-site. Instant downloads available NOW

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How good is your comunication? Really? How often do you really listen to your spouse, colleague or employee?

How often do you interrupt, talk over people and avoid looking at that person in the eye?  How many people conduct a one way conversation, talking at you without giving you the opportunity to take part in the conversation? For me this is an instant switch off!

Here's a neat little communication activity to try with your training programs or with your groups. It's called "Sparkling Moment"

2 people pair up to take part in this communications game: A and B.

A has 2 minutes to narrate their "sparkling moment" to B. This could be an achievement or something really fantastic that happened to them. Whilst A is telling the story, B must keep still and expressionless and cannot speak.

After A has finished telling the story B gives A feedback on how A came across - body language, facial expressions, enthusiasm, smiles etc. A must listen only and not interrupt.

Then allow 5 minutes to reflect on the experience.

How did A feel when they were telling the story? How did they feel at the end of the story. How easy was it to tell a story without receiving gestures. How easy was it to receive feedback without being able to clarify or interrupt? How useful was the feedback?

How did B feel unable to speak and expressionless? How easy was it to listen and concentrate? How easy was it to give feedback effectively?

Then swop over roles and repeat.

For tons more amazing communications activities, ice breakers and games to use with your groups visit the ice breaker ideas web-site. Instant downloads available NOW

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Here's one of my favourite communication games that's easy to set-up and use straight away.

Write on a piece of paper a number from one to ten, place in a hat and ask students to draw a number.

Without speaking, writing or showing their number to anyone else and not holding their up fingers, ask them line up in numerical order from 1-10.

People will probably stand around looking confused, so after a while you could give a few hints by tapping your foot or fingers, blinking,  jumping up and down, snapping fingers etc.

When the activity finishes, ask:

•  how difficult it was with out being able to speak or write?
•  Could they think of other ways we might communicate?
• Make a list of things people do to communicate with others eg. sign language, body language, facial expressions, body movement, written language, pictures & drawings, text etc.

Then ask the group to consider what it must be like for people to communicate if they have a disability which might make it difficult to share thoughts and feelings.

 For more fantastic communication activities check-out our fun ice breaker games and ideas web-site NOW!