The Change Game

An icebreaking game of observation and communication.

Process: Without moving from their conference seats, delegates are encouraged to find a partner and study the way each other looks. Then - turning back to back - each individual makes five discrete alterations to their appearance. Facing each other once more, the delegates are asked to spot what has changed. When asked to repeat the exercise once or twice more, they may find a struggle to find new items to change, and begin to un-do earlier alterations.

Outcome: Aside from being a short cut to a buzzing conference hall, this game also explores the nature of organisational change. In this exercise as in business, the first few alterations are straightforward, and meet with no resistance, but as the delegates are stretched they may become reluctant to participate, or start changing things back.