Design Thinking group dynamics that I like the most…

As DT Coach, I am always trying to create/use innovate ways to make warm ups and group dynamics.

I’d like to share two of them that I like the most: “Humor Collection” and “Rolling Chairs”.

“Humor Collection”

Start your DT session or project making a check of participants humor (optional: participants’ leveling).

Steps:

• distribute pictures about weather (Sunny, Cloudy, Partially Cloudy, Thunderstorm) in each corner of your Design Thinking room

• ask people to choose one corner based on their humor (how they are feeling about themselves)
• ask people to say name, area, expectation about the session/project and to explain reasons to be on that corresponding corner
• for those who selected Cloudy, Partially Cloudy, Thunderstorm; make a group dynamics based on mimics (demonstrating something that make them happy)
• it’s possible to substitute ‘mimics’ for participants’ leveling dynamic. Ask people to organize themselves in a queue on silence based on expertise (about the topic of your session/project)  and then request an explanation

Reasons (coach perspective):

• take into account people who are not feeling well (don’t put them to work together during the session/project phase)
• understand participants profile to adjust agenda and group dynamics to be proposed along the session/project
• set/understand expectations properly

“Rolling Chairs”

Create a cooperation sense among participants to work together.

• six people will be positioned behind of 6 chairs (having more people, use more chairs)
• chairs should be positioned on 45º angle
  
• people should move to next chair, catching next one with only one hand (right or left hand) until returning back to original position (clockwise)
• 1^st round: it is possible to make an agreement and say something (like a “battle cry”)
• 2^nd round: repeat the circuit only using mimics (no sounds allowed)
• 3^rd phase: nothing is allowed (completely on silence)

Reasons (coach perspective):

• dynamic is to talk about harmony, synchronization, teamwork, spirit of collaboration and professionalism

Kind Regards,

Fábio Almeida – DT Coach at SAP Labs Latin America