This activity is useful for discovering the perspectives of each team member or of the organization. It works well with any team size and requires 10 to 15 minutes. All you will need is a piece of paper for each team member.
You will want a space large enough for team members to see others and be able to write on a flat surface. Ask each team member to write his or her name on an individual piece of paper. Place the slips into a container.
Have each team member draw out a name (but not their own name!).
Ask each team member to write a newspaper headline describing where that person is after a defined number of years (e.g. three, five or ten years). After the headline, ask them to write a lead paragraph. Give them ten minutes.
Ask each team member to read the headline and lead paragraph to the rest of the team.
Debrief and Summarize
When everyone has read the headlines, debrief the activity:
- What did you like most about this activity?
- What did you learn about each other?
To help teams develop vision statements, try this variation:
Break the group into teams.
Have each team write a headline and lead paragraph describing their organization in a defined number of years.
Each team spokesperson introduces their team members and then reads the headline and paragraph.
On an easel chart, capture any recurring themes from the teams
If you like this activity, check out my book, Team Energizers, for 49 other team activities!
KRISTIN ARNOLD, MBA, CPF, CSP is a high-stakes meeting facilitator and professional panel moderator. She’s been facilitating teams of executives and managers in making better decisions and achieving greater results for over 20 years.