Building Communication Skills Game

Building Communication Skills Game

By Lyndsay Swinton
Effective communication in business is essential. Use this fun communication skills game to improve communication within your team.
Communication Skills Game Purpose - to illustrate the importance of clear communication, and allow the group to explore their communication style and make improvements as necessary. Materials and Preparation - 2 matching sets of children's building blocks (e.g. Lego), with 10 blocks and 1 base board in each set. Using one set of blocks, build a random object using the 10 blocks, onto the base board. Optional - 2 bags to contain each set of building blocks. Time - 45 mins Group Size - minimum 3 people, up to about 7. (You can have duplicate exercise running in parallel if group is larger, but will need more sets of building blocks). There are 4 roles in this communication skills game. Person A - directorPerson B - runnerPerson C - builderPerson(s) D - observer(s) Person A is given the built-up set of blocks, and is the only person who can see the object. It is the director's job to give clear instructions to person B, the runner, so that person C can build an exact replica of the model. Person B listens to the director's instructions and runs to a different part of the room to where person C is sitting. The runner then passes on the building instructions, without seeing the building blocks, to Person C, the builder. The runner can make as many trips as required within the time allowed for the exercise. Person C listens to the runner's instructions and builds the object from the set of building blocks. The builder is the only person who can see the object under construction, and building materials. Person(s) D observe the communication game, and make notes about what works, what doesn't work, and how people behaved under pressure etc., to pass onto the group later. Set a time limit for the exercise of 10 minutes. When the time is up, allow the group to compare the model and the replica, and see how closely it matches. Generally, the replica will bear little resemblance to the original, which usually causes heated discussion! Allow the group to reflect on how the exercise went, and agree 1 thing they did well, 1 thing that didn't work, and 1 thing they would do better next time. Run the exercise again, either switching or keeping original roles, and see if any improvements have been made. Make sure you de-construct the "original" model and create a new design! This simple communication skills game can be run many times without losing learning potential. Teams can add layers of sophistication to their communication by making use of aids such as diagrams, codes, standard procedures and using active listening techniques.
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