Workshop Exercises: Decision

Talking stick

Maintain focus and keep participants from zoning out

Also called: Play catch, Ball Point Game, Pass the Token

Timing: Execution

Run time
5 minutes

Group size
3-10

Why: Give everyone an equal opportunity to speak and be heard – and keep the meeting focused and on track

When: Use when equal and active participation among team members is important

Instructions for running this play

Introduce the exercise and its rules.
1. A token will be passed around the group,
2. The person holding the token can speak while others listen attentively
3. No one can toss the token to someone next to them
4. No one can toss the token to someone who has already gone
5. No zoning out
The facilitator starts by passing the token to the first random participant, who then speaks. When that person has finished, he or she passes the token to next person in line.

Master and adapt the play to fit your context and needs.

Make it random who receives the token next to avoid participants focusing more on what they are going to say next than listening.

Consider timeboxing the time available to speak to keep the time and maintain focus.

Consider imposing rules on what each participant can talk about.

Run better workshops with Learning Loop card decks.

Every card deck includes workshop patterns, so your team can put the methods to work in your next session.

Running behavioral design workshops? The Persuasive Patterns Workshop Playbook (PDF) shows you how to design and run them.

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