Recently, we conducted a training session on how to facilitate multicultural teams. Since the participants had previous experience, we decided to tap into the wisdom of the group. We asked them to work in teams and write pieces of practical advice based on their previous experiences. Using a systematic elimination process, we identified the best piece of advice.
Synopsis
Ask teams of players to write six pieces of practical advice, each on a separate card. Ask the teams to exchange the packets of cards, remove one card with the least useful piece of advice, and repeat the process. Each team is left with single card. Compare these cards with each other and eliminate one card at a time until a single card is left — with the best piece of advice.
Purpose
To generate pieces of advice, compare them, and select the best advice.
Participants
- Minimum: 3
- Maximum: 30
- Best: 15 to 30
Time
15 to 30 minutes
Supplies
- Blank index cards
- Pens or pencils
Equipment
- Timer
- Whistle
Flow
Organize teams. If you have three to five players, ask each person to play individually. With more than five players, form three to six teams, each with two to five players. It does not matter if some teams have one more member than the others.
Example: If you have 17 players, form three teams of four and one team of five.
Write pieces of practical advice. Give six blank index cards to each team. Working in teams, ask the participants to write a piece of practical advice on each card to help the reader to facilitate a multicultural team. Announce a 5-minute time limit for this task.
Exchange the cards. At the end of 5 minutes, blow the whistle and ask the players to stop writing. Tell each team to give its packet of six cards to the next team.
Remove one card. Ask each team to study the pieces of advice on the cards they received and remove one card that has the least useful piece of advice. Then ask the team to give its current packet of cards to the next team.
Remove a card and exchange. Ask the teams to study the pieces of advice on the current packet of cards and remove the card that has the least useful piece of advice. As before, ask the teams to give the packet of remaining cards to the next team.
Continue removing a card and exchanging. Ask the teams to repeat this procedure until they have only one card left.
Display the last cards. Ask the teams to place the single card at the middle of the table with the written side facing up. Pause briefly to permit the participants to study the pieces of advice on these cards.
Eliminate cards. When you blow the whistle, ask all players to touch a displayed card with the least useful piece of advice. Remove the card with the most fingers touching it. Repeat this process until only card is left.
Conclude the activity. Tell the participants to study the piece of advice on this card carefully because it contains the most useful piece of advice — as determined by players themselves.