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Whenever you get a group of strangers together, you need a way to help them get to know each other. If the typical exercises you currently use go on too long, or if you’re just looking for something new to use, try this simple five-step activity. It is quick and it adds an element of challenge that gets people into “learning mode” straight away.
- People line up in U shape in alphabetical order, according to their first name.
- The first person introduces themselves to the group, sharing their name and the organisation they belong to.
- The second person has to repeat the name and organisation of the first person before introducing themselves.
- The third person has to repeat the name and organisation of the first and the second person before introducing themselves.
- Continue until everyone has introduced themselves.
Variations
One way to vary this activity is to change the way people line up in step 1. For example, you could have people line up according to their self rated “memory for names” (0-100%). Those with a better memory go last, stretching their abilities.
What other variations can you think of?
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One strategy I have used is somewhat similar. When I had to do training sessions for new batch of employees who already have spent some time together, I used to ask each person to introduce his neighbour, asking for some additional details like where the person is from, which college he attended, what he studied at college, whether the person is married, what does his spouse do, has he any children, etc.
This exercise has never happened in a quiet atmosphere, because everyone would be hurriedly asking his neighbours questions in hushed voices. But I have found this quite invigorating and fun.