I love this team building activity for demonstrating how much we have in common with each other. It works well with a team size of 6 to 24 people and requires 15 minutes. You will need several 9′ long crepe paper streamers or lengths of yarn in several different colors.
Ask the team to stand in a circle. Pair up with a person you don’t know very well or don’t work with regularly.
Interview each other and discover three things you have in common.
Form a circle with the partners being approximately across from each other. Place a box or basket in the center containing an assortment of nine-foot-long crepe paper streamers or lengths of yarn.
Take a streamer or ball of yarn from the basket, hold one end and hand the other end to your partner. Introduce your partner to the entire group, stating one of the commonalities that you share.
When anyone else hears a comment that they too can identify with, they should say “I can connect with you on that, too” and grab onto the streamer or yarn. Several members of the group may “connect” at the same time, and all will share the streamer to make “connections.”
Remind the team to be careful to avoid tearing the paper streamer!
Continue partner introductions and “connecting” until everyone has participated.
Debrief and Summarize
After all have had a chance to participate, debrief the activity:
- What do you think about the activity?
- What are some of the things we have in common?
- What are some of the differences between team members?
- How can these commonalities and differences affect our teamwork?
Inspired by Joanne R. Zukowski
If you like this team building activity, check out my book, Team Energizers, for 49 other team activities!
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