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out_of_the_box:tools:together:mines

The Mines - How do we interact under pressure?

Objectives

  • Highlighting the way we behave in a group, especially when we feel under pressure, when it comes to achieving collective goals in a limited time
  • Acknowledging the roles we take within a team (and those we don't)
  • Identifying how other people's behaviors affect us
  • Developing our communication skills and improving our ability to make decisions within a diverse group without talking.

Scenario:

Duration: 1h

For this serious game, divide the group (28 people) into two groups of 14 persons. In each group, ask one person to be an observer. Each group will be in their own room, so as they cannot see what the other group is doing. Precise from the beginning that the time frame is strict: no additional minute will be given.

Both teams will have the same objective: crossing a minefield consisting of 10 lines of 10 boxes each (100 boxes in total) knowing that on each line, only one square is not mined. The whole team must cross the field by walking on the right squares. If one person fails, all have to return to the starting square.
It is not possible to be several on the field: there can be only 1 person on the field at a time.
It is not allowed to pass over the field or by the sides.
Last but not least: All rules that are not stated here as rules are not rules.

Give the participants 3 minutes at the beginning of the game to consult each other and establish a strategy. Precise that they will not be allowed anymore to talk to each other after this.

Each team has then 15 minutes (~1 minute per person) to find themselves completely on the other side.
Each time someone speaks or someone makes a mistake (foot out of a square, wrong square, loss of balance, etc.), say “Boom” and everyone goes back to the starting point.

To make the exercise even more stressful, you can use a clock or a metronum or remain often to the participants the time left.

After 20 minutes, gather both teams in a circle for a collective debrief.
Give first the speech to the observers, asking them to describe and explain what they saw.
Then, give the speech to the players:

  • How did they feel?
  • Did their emotions evolve during the exercise? How?
  • How did they interact with what was happening?
  • To what extent have their behaviors been induced (guided) by their emotions?
  • Which emotions were generated by the successes and failures of their group?
  • Did the behaviors of other members of their team affect them? If it is the case, when and which ones?

Material required

  • 200 A4
  • 2 clocks (1 per group)
  • facultative : a metronum

out_of_the_box/tools/together/mines.txt · Last modified: 2022/10/11 18:50 by caro