Nine Dots

Spots before your eyes.

Process: This is a familiar puzzle, but that's partly the point. When the host shows the conference a grid of nine dots and asks if they can join them all with just three lines, some of the audience will know the answer. Not through instinct, but by knowing the trick. The challenge set is that the whole room needs to know. The host may time how long this takes. But will those "in the know", pass-on their knowledge to speed the process? And if not, why not?

Outcome: Some people would never get the puzzle, but why should they struggle if their nearest neighbour has the answer? This might be a reality check for certain people in business - as regards the sharing of information. Once the conference has the solution to the basic puzzle the stakes are raised and delegates are forced to think more laterally to find a new solution. A stretch, but great fun.