Conversation Decks

Help speed up interactions and conversation in groups that need a spark to ignite them!

ExpressPack is an image/metaphor-based tool in the form of a pack of 53 playing cards. The wide range of photo images included provides an excellent resource to help trainers and coaches help individuals and groups to truly "Express" themselves and engage in stimulating conversations. Pictures allow individuals to express their needs and viewpoints more openly and quickly.

USES for this versatile pack are limited only by your imagination, but here are some suggestions:

Personal Development / Coaching
Cards can be used to assist individuals in their personal development. This may be in a coaching scenario, in a mentoring role, as a Manager in business, as a Youth or Community Worker or simply with someone you would like to help. A sample question might be: "Identify one card which represents where you are now, and one where you would like to be in the future." Once they have chosen their cards, ask them to express their thoughts and feelings about the cards. Once this has been done, you could ask the individual to identify a card which represents the first step on this journey.

Introductions/Getting groups started
Facilitators and trainers know what it's like to be in a room with a group where the conversations are not flowing! Often this happens at the start of a day, when the individuals are just scoping out the group and how they will contribute. ExpressPack is a great way of starting the day and helping a natural flow into other ideas you may want to introduce. For example, lay out a pack of cards and get individuals to pick a card which they think relates to them in some way and use it to introduce themselves.

Change
Change is happening all the time, individuals are developing, organizations are changing, global issues are affecting us all. Change, therefore, is part of life and a subject which can be explored using ExpressPack. Ask an individual or team, prior to a change initiative, to identify a card which represents the state of the organization now and another to show how they would like it to be in the future.

Leadership and Management Development
Leaders and Managers need to help bring clarity to situations. Some useful starting questions might include: "Pick 5 cards which represent your vision of what is important to you in your role?"

Teams
Any work with teams usually needs to focus initially on a clarity of joint understanding. A useful question dependent upon the stage of team development might be: "Pick a number of cards which illustrate your expectations of this team."

View Video Demo!

Ideal group size: 2-8

Boxed set of 53 playing cards 2 inches x 3.5 inches. A carefully researched and designed group learning activity from RSVP Design. The images were created by talented photographers and trainers Simon Whalley and Tony Wright.

The Leadership Metaphor Explorer Kit is a dynamic, interactive tool designed to stimulate creative, insightful conversations in and among groups about leadership.

The set, which includes a deck of 83 postcard-size cards illustrated with a rich variety of drawings and captions and a comprehensive facilitator's guide, is designed to help people understand how leadership plays out in their organizations, communities, and across boundaries.

This hands-on game uses metaphorical images and captions to open a dialogue about the three stages of dependent, independent, and interdependent leadership cultures. Individuals choose images that resonate with them and then participate in a group discussion about leadership in organizations.

A typical 30-90 minute session follows a five-step process:

1. Prepare. Define the session's purpose and choose participants.
2. Frame. Use specific questions to set up the conversation that the session is meant to provoke.
3. Browse. Each participant chooses one or more cards in response to the specific framing questions put to the group.
4. Reflect and Converse. The participants discuss their cards - why they chose them, differences and similarities, and so on.
5. Extend. Carry the session results and conversion to other groups across the organization.

Kit includes:
Card deck: 83 cards, 4 in. x 6 in.
Facilitator's guide: 70 pages, paperback

View video below

Developed by the Center for Creative Leadership, Visual Explorer is a powerful training tool thats designed to encourage collaborative conversations and useful dialogue in a safe learning environment. This innovative game uses a series of diverse images to create a visual vocabulary that helps people to express themselves through the use of metaphors, intuition, and emotion.

Use Visual Explorer to:

• Create healthy dialogue between team members
• Bring organizational issues to the surface
• Encourage creativity and innovative thinking
• Develop ideas into concepts
• Build group consensus and agreement

Visual Explorer is not a team exercise, game or simulation. There is no single right way to use it. Many facilitators use it to assist people with important or difficult conversations. Dialogue in groups can be difficult for any number of reasons, such as hidden conflict, power differentials among group members, an unclear idea of the problem the group faces, the inability to envision a solution, and group or organizational norms that make some topics off limits. There are 5 basic steps to using Visual Explorer as a way to facilitate group conversation: frame, browse, reflect, share, and extend.

Grounded in research and practice, Visual Explorer can be used in a wide variety of settings, including team building, communication training, and leadership development.

The Kit includes three 72-card decks of postcard-size reusable cards and a 112-page Facilitator Guide that provides step-by-step guidelines, case history applications, worksheets, and helpful tips for administering a meaningful training session.

The Teamwork and Teamplay Cards by team-building expert Jim Cain, let you facilitate 17 powerful team and community-building activities.

Each oversized card contains six elements, making them incredibly versatile:

1. Traditional number and card suit
2. Personality characteristics
3. Thought for the Day
4. Clue for team matrix puzzle
5. "Are you More like…" icebreaker question
6. 3 "Big Questions" which are great for getting-to-know-you exercises.

Plus, use the 11 "Thumbprint" cards for debriefing a team activity -- the front sides contain illustrations of a variety of team dynamics; on the reverse sides, you'll find a smorgasbord of puzzles, games, and activities to energize your group.

17 ACTIVITIES FROM ONE DECK: Below is a listing of everything you can do with this single card deck:

1. Thirteen Clues - Four different mysteries to be solved.
2. Thought For the Day - Inspirational quotes and messages.
3. The Big Question - Three levels of icebreaking questions.
4. Character Match Game - Exploring character actively.
5. Thumbprints - A visual debriefing activity.
6. I Doubt It - A simple card game that explores trust.
7. Personal Pyramid - A presentation of personal values.
8. Hieroglyphics - A linguistic challenge for groups.
9. Acronyms - A second linguistic challenge for groups.
10. Treasure Hunt - A mathematical group discovery activity.
11. Card Tricks - Jim's three favorite card challenges.
12. Tongue Twisters - A third linguistic challenge for groups.
13. The 15th Object - A game with a teachable moment.
14. Are You More Like? - Conversation and choices.
15. Pass the Deck - A fast-paced problem solving activity.
16. Stack the Deck - A fast-paced sorting activity for groups.
17. Watch 4 It - Real life examples of character words.

AUDIENCES: Use with team members in new or developing teams, with first level supervisors and managers to build strong, high-performing teams. or with young people in education.

The cards also contain some useful and inspirational quotes, personal values and character descriptions that could be used in a variety of coaching and team development contexts.

Deck of 52 cards, 5" x 8".

Use a deck of Climer Cards with groups to increase conversation around a certain topic. Using the power of metaphors, the result is a meaningful dialogue that helps people connect and understand each other at a deeper level.

The cards spark ideas, connect people, enhance conversations, and deepen learning. You'll be surprised what users will say!

This simple deck of cards uses hand-drawn pictures to evoke metaphors and imagination. Climer Cards can be used in dozens of team activities. Used by facilitators, teachers, parents, therapists, and camp counselors alike, this deck of cards helps with team building activities, enhancing conversations, and generating creative ideas.

A VERSATILE TOOL FOR TEAM BUILDING AND CREATIVITY!

• Coaches use them to get clients exploring new ideas.
• Facilitators help participants express what they learned.
• Social workers and counselors use them with clients to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences.
• Teachers help students create connections in class.
• Parents use them to get kids talking about their day.

CLIMER CARDS INCLUDE...

• 52 images based on watercolor paintings by Amy Climer
• Sorting tool to mix large groups into smaller groups
• Directions on use -- but feel free to get creative with endless variations!
• 52 2.5" x 3.5" cards made from high quality, coated paper.
• Printed cardboard box

Lead your team, students, or family to deeper conversations with a simple, powerful deck of cards. Creative images offer hundreds of ways to use. Directions included or invent your own activities!

TEAM SORTING FEATURE TO DIVIDE INTO GROUPS

AMY CLIMER DEMO'S THE DECKS!

See how to use the cards to build team creativity!

USE CLIMER CARDS THROUGH THE ONLINE PORTAL

For a 10% discount on the Climer Cards Virtual Platform, use promo code: TRAINER10

We Connect Cards are good For: Meetings, Trainings, Getting out of your seat, Icebreakers, Organizations with hierarchies, Fighting turnover, Conferences and events.

3 COLOR-CODED QUESTION CARDS:

• A deck of 60 cards that spark conversation, and build trust and connection.
• 20 green cards ask questions that are fun and light
• 20 blue cards ask questions that are a bit deeper
• 20 purple cards ask questions that encourage self-reflection

Talk & Move

On the back of each question card, you'll find a graphic showing a movement. If your participants aren't quite sure what to do with their arms or their bodies while they're standing talking, invite them to do the stretch or movement shown on the card.

WHY We Connect Cards?

Provide a fast-paced, fun way to move beyond ice breaking to real connections:

• Offer a suite of activities to cross-pollinate different departments across your company
• Arm employees and management with a set of questions to break down communication barriers and management hierarchies
• Give employees permission to have fun and be excited about work

AUDIENCE

Use the We Connect Deck for leaders, facilitators, teachers, project directors, program directors, and anyone who wants to increase connections within their community.

FEATURES

• 1 deck of 60 durable cards
• 10+ activity descriptions anyone can setup and run
• Box is 3"x3"

How to use We Connect Cards as an Icebreaker

Watch the video below to see how you can use the cards to break the ice and promote conversation and sharing. For more tips, try the Connections Toolkit.

TALK-ABOUT ACTIVITY

Among the loads of activities and uses for these cards, try the Talk-About Activity. Here's how this question swap activity works.

• Have each participant choose a card when they come in.
• When it's time to get talking, have them find a partner to chat with (the partner's card can be same colored or different)
• Let the team know that when their conversation is over, they should swap cards, then raise the card over their head.
• Players with their arms raised can look for another person with a raised arm, and repeat the activity.
• REMINDERS TO SHARE WITH THE PLAYERS:
  • "Green questions" are fun and light; "blue questions" are a bit deeper; and "purple questions" require more self-relfection.
  • They always have 100% agency and can always able to share as much as little as they like.

CHAD LITTLEFIELD TALKS ABOUT CONNECTIONS BEFORE CONTENT

This easy-to-use card deck works as a teaching aid, a memory jogger, and a facilitation tool to guide leaders in the best practices for giving feedback. It's a lead-it-yourself toolkit focusing on the “SBI feedback framework” (Situation-Behavior-Impact) in real-world settings.

THE S-B-I METHOD: Based on Center for Creative Leadership's proven methodology, SBI is not only a method designed for managers to give feedback to their direct reports but can also be used for giving feedback to peers or superiors – a capability particularly critical in organizations that encourage transparency.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

4 Guidebooks to reinforce & support the receipt and delivery of SBI feedback. The books offer background information and tips on applying the Situation-Behavior-Impact framework in each of these different situations:

• • Feedback in Performance Reviews
  • Ongoing Feedback
  • Feedback that Works
  • Giving Feedback to Subordinates

31 Coach with Conversations Card Deck. Easy reference cards include facilitation tips, feedback questions, positive and negative impact words, 10 common mistakes, and 6 practice scenarios.

50 tear-off SBI practice sheets with tips for practicing feedback in the SBI style on one side and space to write a piece of SBI-style feedback on the reverse. The practice sheets will help people learn how to create and give effective developmental feedback.

4 FEEDBOOK GUIDEBOOKS:

1) Feedback in Performance Reviews

Effective feedback is one of the most important components of successful performance reviews. Feedback is assessment data that either supports continuing to perform in some manner or targets a desirable change. This guidebook will help you provide performance review feedback that will be well received. It explains three feedback principles and four different types of feedback. Each of these four types is effective when used at the right time and for the right reasons, and they can be used in combination. This guidebook will help you understand when to use the different types of feedback and how to frame a complete feedback message. The rest is practice.

2) Ongoing Feedback: How to Get It and How to Use It

Do you want feedback that will really do you some good? Consider the source. Think about who to ask, when to ask, and how to ask. But don't stop there. Learn to evaluate the content of the feedback you've received so you can use it effectively.

3) Feedback that Works: How to Build and Delivery your Message

Effective feedback, whether it's meant for your boss, your peers, or your direct reports, is built around three ideas. One, focus on the situation. Two, describe the other person's behavior you observed in that situation. And third, describe the impact that behavior had on you. The result is a message that is clear and that can inspire action and productive change.

4) Giving Feedeback to Subordinates

For whatever reason, managers find it hard to give feedback to their direct reports. To succeed in your leadership role, make feedback a part of developing your direct reports to their full potential. Learn how to provide effective feedback that is empowering, not damaging; that is constructive, not debilitating.

The 31-card Deck:

• How to Use These Cards
• Types of Feedback
• SBI Feedback
• SBI Chart
• Practicing SBI
• Giving SBI Feedback
• Receiving SBI Feedback
• Possible Feedback Questions
• Positive Impact Words
• Negative Impact Words
• Ten Common SBI Mistakes (Common SBI Mistake cards #1-10)
• SBI Practice Scenarios (Practice Scenarios #1-6)
• Credit and Resources

Use ULEAD cards to facilitate workshops, run group activities, conduct icebreaker activities, or just have fun. This multi-faceted 52-card deck has 12 different elements to assist with teaming, relationship building, debriefs, conversation and more.

Elements include:

• Photographic images
• Letters
• Emotions
• Action words
• Icebreaker Questions
• Famous quotations
• Animals
• Iconic images
• Playing Cards

This deck will help energize your group, generate participation, manage change and overcome resistance, and ultimately inspire and motivate teams.

SEE A DEMO

Ritch Hochstetler, of ULead, shares a handful of best practices to facilitate workshops, run group activities, conduct icebreaker activities, or just have fun. This unique facilitation tool helps groups build connections:

• Discover new activities for relational connection
• Grow skills for brainstorming and co-creation
• Draw out participants' personalities and passions

The Connection Toolkit is a comprehensive Product Bundle for Team Building, Communication, and Creative Connections. The toolkit includes: We! Connect Cards™, We! Engage Cards™, and a copy of Pocket Guide to Facilitating Human Connections, our newest book Ask Powerful Questions and a free-for-life subscription to playmeo.com (typically at $97/year).

THE CONNECTION TOOLKIT

• Provides a faster, more fun way to “break the ice” with new teams
• Offers a suite of activities to cross-pollinate different departments across your company
• Arms employees and management with a set of questions to break down communication barriers and management hierarchies
• Gives employees permission to have fun and be excited about work

WE CONNECT CARD DECK

A deck of 60 cards that spark conversation, and build trust and connection.

• 20 green cards ask questions that are fun and light
• 20 blue cards ask questions that are a bit deeper
• 20 purple cards ask questions that encourage self-reflection

Suggested Activity

• Have every person select a question card.
• Ask players to find a partner and discuss the questions on each of their cards.
• When the discussions are over, ask them to swap cards and hold the new cards up over their heads.
• Players can look for a new partner, who is also raising their card.
• And so on...

WE ENGAGE CARD DECK

A deck of 50 hexagonal cards, each with an inspiring, thought-provoking quote on one side and a powerful photo on the other, with activities designed to increase group engagement. They're great for: Brainstorming, Goal setting, Productivity, Meetings, Trainings, Getting out of your seat, Sparking conversation, Effective communication.

Suggested Activities

• Pick a quote you click with, when you come in. Turn to someone near you and share the quote -- what made it click for you?
• Spread the image cards on the floor or table and have participants choose one before they enter the training room. When assembled, they can introduce themselves along with a reason they chose the image they did.

ASK POWERFUL QUESTIONS BOOK

A bestselling book that explains how the questions we traditionally ask are often meaningless when it comes to establishing a connection. By introducing a set of practice tools for understanding others by changing the way we ask questions, the book shows how to transform “How are you?—I’m fine, thanks” into conversations that change not only how you lead but who you are as a person.

POCKET GUIDE TO FACILITATING HUMAN CONNECTIONS

A 140 page, pocket-sized handbook that unpacks the psychology of communication, collaboration, and trust. Provides 20+ real-world applications that can be used to create workshops, trainings, team-building exercises, or any event that relies on audience engagement.

CHAD LITTLEFIELD TALKS ABOUT CONNECTIONS BEFORE CONTENT

The Facilitator Cards Deck makes it easy to create an interactive, participatory facilitation experience on any topic. Don't default to the same teaching, training, coaching, and facilitation methods over and over. Use the 60 "Facilitation Tools" — activities, steps, frameworks, etc. — in this one-of-a-kind Facilitator Deck, to mix things up and keep your facilitations fresh every time.

60 FACILITATION TOOLS CATEGORIZED INTO FOUR STAGES OF FACILITATION

The color-coded background of each card indicates which goal or facilitation outcome the tool is uniquely targeted to achieve. While the process does not need to be linear, the underlying theory behind this deck is that flowing from Emotion to Execution is beneficial for most facilitation goals, most of the time.

• Four color-coded categories of processing tools
  • Emotion: use the teal cards help surface emotion, thoughts, feelings, reactions, and predispositions from your participants.
  • Ideation: try the green tools to form, generate, and brainstorm ideas and concepts..
  • Clarification: employ the yellow processes to clarify ideas, distill, pinpoint, get to the bottom, and find common ground.
  • Execution: use the red cards, to make decisions, plan, strategize, and direct the group toward next steps.
• 15 tools in each of the four categories
• Waterproof, wet-erase surface, so you can keep your notes directly on the card (and wipe off when you're done)! Be sure to use a wet-erase marker

FACILITATOR TOOLS ON EVERY CARD

The cards are quite easy to understand. The icons and colors help you recognize what it is, what it’s for, and how you can use it — all at a glance. This will make them as useful during a break in a facilitation when you’re deciding what to do next, as they are when you’re collaborating with a cofacilitator before a training to plan your agenda.

Each card has all you need to quickly determine if the processing tool is suitable to your needs:

• Name of Processing Tool
• Brief description of the process - descriptions are meant to be memory-joggers, to help you recreate the process during a facilitation. The are not intended to be complete or lengthy explanations (so you might have questions if you've never experiences that process firsthand.
• Color and Icon indicating category
• Group configuration (individual, pair, small group, big group)
• Props required (marker, pens, tape, paper, index cards, sticky notes, flipchart...)
• Blank space, for handwritten notes about when or how you plan to use the activity

GROUP SIZE ICONS

• Individual means each participant is working through the process on their own.
• Pairs means everyone is working through the process with a buddy.
• Small Groups means the full group is divided into pods of 3 - 4 to work through the process.
• Full Group means the entire group is working through the process together.

PROP ICONS

The props icons help you know what you need to have in your bag of tricks in order to use that process. We’ve tried to limit the props to essentials that most facilitators often have on-hand, including:

• Flipchart: a large writin g surface with removable sheets (often interchangeable with whiteboard)
• Marker: bold enough to read from a distance (no fine point felt pens), having both flipchart markers and some regular wide-tipped Crayola would be the dream
• Writing Utensils: pens or pencils (anything people can write with quickly to read later themselves), at least one per participant
• Paper: a stack of (scrap) blank paper (generally enough pieces of paper for your group size, but more is usually better here)
• Sticky Notes: for writing on and sticking to a wall, flipchart, or other surface (typically 3”x3” will work, but for some processes you might find smaller or bigger stickies work better)
• Tape: a roll of masking, blue (painter’s), or cellophane tape for adhering things to a surface
• Index Cards: a stack of 3” x 5” cards (generally more than one per participant, and you can usually substitute small sheets of scrap paper)
• Custom: some special prop needs to be created or procured, explained in the description
• None: no props needed

WET-ERASE FEATURE

Write. Erase. Repeat! The white space on the front of is perhaps the most powerful aspect of Facilitator Cards. This erasable whitespace is a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, map, and diary all wrapped into one. Here are some of the ways you can put that wonderful little square of white to work:

• Write a keyword, agenda item, or activity name on each card to designate when you’re using that process in your facilitation.
• Note timing, like how long you want the process to take, when you want it to start and end, or how many minutes you’re giving a particular step.
• Jot down ways you’re tailoring that process, or mixing it up (e.g., changing the group configuration, swapping a prop).
• Assign a “Parking Lot”-ed share to a card for later in your facilitation.
• Scoring how well it worked for your goals (e.g., with a number, or super secret symbol scoring system), so that later, when you’re debriefing, you can recall exactly how you felt.

Get To Know Facilitator Cards

The Emotions Card Deck provides a path to emotional intelligence and personal growth.

Emotions are a fundamental part of our human experience, yet understanding and navigating them can sometimes be a challenge and this card deck for educators and facilitators is designed to enhance emotional literacy, develop essential skills for managing emotions, and facilitate meaningful discussions. Each card features a unique emotion or feeling ranging from joy to sadness, excitement to fear. The cards cover a wide range of emotions, empowering individuals to identify and understand their feelings and those of others which promotes self-awareness, effective communication skills, and empathy.

Each of the 57 double-sided cards also features a thought-provoking question related to the emotion depicted. These questions inspire group discussions and encourage sharing of experiences, perspectives, and strategies. Through sharing their emotional experiences, individuals realize that their feelings are not unique and have been experienced by others, fostering a sense of connection and support. The reverse side of each card adds an exciting twist to the learning experience and provides endless opportunities for play-based learning and interactive fun.

CARD DECK INCLUDES

57 double-sided emotion flashcards
4 single-sided color-coded Mood Meter cards
1 double-sided product description card that includes a QR code to Activity Guide with step-by-step instructions for 13 activities
1 single-sided card with list of emotions presented on flashcards

FEATURES

• The color of each card's outline corresponds to the 4-quadrant Mood Meter matrix, which sorts feeling based on intensity (one one axis) and pleasantness (on the other axis).
• Printed on premium quality card stock with a matt finish
• Flashcard size: 8 ½” x 5 ½”
• Durable and easy-to-store box 9" x 6"
• Cards are suitable for all ages from youth to adult

ONE DECK - OODLES OF ACTIVITIES

This deck is incredibly versatile and can be use for by a number of professionals developing EQ skills:

• Educators looking for activities to foster emotional literacy and a stronger classroom culture
• Guidance counselors seeking group or one-on-one activities
• Out-of-school professionals exploring ways to support social and emotional learning
• Facilitators & Adventure Practitioners seeking a tool for team development work with diverse groups across all ages

Want to increase conversation around a certain topic? Try a deck of Climer Cards 2. The hand illustrated images use the power of metaphors to stimulate meaningful dialogue that helps people connect and understand each other at a deeper level.

2 SIDES = 2 DECKS!

SIDE 1: Dr. Amy Climer's latest deck of cards uses 52 new gorgeous and evocative watercolor paintings (that she painted!) to spark metaphors and imagination.

SIDE 2: On the reverse side, find words describing a variety of emotions. This deck is useful for initiating conversations about feelings. It gives players an opportunity to move beyond "good,""fine," and "okay" to describe their feelings, and is a wonderful enhancement to Emotional Intelligence and EQ training. Each emotion is translated from English into French and Spanish. You'll also find that each emotion is written in one of 6 different colors, making it quite useful to help you divide your players into smaller work groups.

TONS OF ACTIVITIES

Facilitators can use the two sides indendently, or paired.

• Images: Spread the cards out with the image side face-up. Pose a question to the group and ask that the pick a card that represents their answer. For example: Select a card that represents:
  
  • a personality trait
  • an aspect of your identity
  • a goal for the next quarter
  • how you connect with your company's mission
  • your definition of _______
  • your team's greatest challenge
  • something you hope to learn

Then, invite each person share their card and their thinking.

• Emotions: Spread the cards out with the emotion words face-up. Ask a question that can be answered with a feeling. For instance:
  • How are you feeling right now?
  • How are you feeling about our team?
  • How do you feel about...
    • changes happening at the company
    • risky new opportunities
    • walking into a crowded room
  • How do you feel when...
    • you mess up something you're usually very good at
    • you hear about a friend's promotion
    • your team loses a sports match
• Pair the decks:
  • Consider how the image on the front might (or might not) reflect the emotion on the reverse side.
  • Alternatively, pair the Climer2 deck with the original Climer Card Deck for 104 unique images!

USE CLIMER CARDS IN DOZENS OF SETTINGS!

These wildly versatile cards can be used with groups of adults and youngsters:

• Coaches use them to get clients exploring new ideas.
• Facilitators help participants express what they learned.
• Social workers and counselors use them with clients to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences.
• Teachers help students create connections in class.
• Parents use them to get kids talking about their day.

CLIMER CARD DECKS FEATURE...

• 52 images based on watercolor paintings by Amy Climer
• Directions on use -- but feel free to get creative with endless variations! You can also download a free ebook at climercards.com.
• 2.5" x 3.5" cards made from high quality, coated paper.
• Cardboard box to hold the deck

Lead your team, students, or family to deeper conversations with a simple, powerful deck of cards. Creative images offer hundreds of ways to use. Directions included or invent your own activities!

WATCH AMY CLIMER DEMO THE DECKS

USE CLIMER CARDS THROUGH THE ONLINE PORTAL

For a 10% discount on the Climer Cards Virtual Platform, use promo code: TRAINER10

Star talking about topics that matter with What Makes You YOU UNZIP-IT Conversation Deck.

WHAT MAKES YOU YOU PROMPTS

This deck of 35 conversation starters contains a thoughtful array of What?-style questions. The conversation prompts will help you learn what makes each person special.

Prompts cover topics such as:

• Skills and interests
• Quirks, wishes and facts
• Motivations & fears
• Likes & dislikes
• Goals and contributions

PLAYING WITH CONVERSATION DECKS

Pairs of 2 or 3

To play, deal a card to each participant. Have participants stand, find a partern, and discuss the questions on each of their cards. When their conversation has run its course, invite them to swap cards and hold their arm in the air, indicating to other players that they're ready to find a new partner. Repeat this process as time allows.

Table Talks

If your group isn't too big or you want to build camaraderie at a table, have each person in the group choose a card and answer the question. If you have enough time, ask each speaker a couple of follow-up questions. Alternatively, have others at the table answer those same questions for themselves. Then, swap cards, or pick new cards from the top of the deck.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

Start talking about topics that matter with Diversity Conversation Deck.

UNZIP-it!™ WITH A DIVERSITY DECK

The Diversity deck is fun training tool that tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. We live in a diverse world with many differences that are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges and age. Many other differences may not be visually apparent, but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, virginity, use or non-use of alcohol, allergies, intellect, depression and other emotional diseases.

Includes 30+ Cards: 3.5” x 2.5”

DIVERSITY CONVERSATION PROMPTS

Explore the topic of diversity by chatting about these topics:

• Sources of your attitudes towards people unlike yourself
• Experiences in which you felt like an outsider or shared an unpopluar idea
• Important aspects of your identity that feel important
• Origins and experiences with prejudice
• Ways to combat discrimination and make others feel included
• Bias based on gender, disabilities, age, race, sexual identity...

PLAYING WITH CONVERSATION DECKS

Pairs of 2 or 3

To play, deal a card to each participant. Have participants stand, find a partern, and discuss the questions on each of their cards. When their conversation has run its course, invite them to swap cards and hold their arm in the air, indicating to other players that they're ready to find a new partner. Repeat this process as time allows.

Table Talks

If your group isn't too big or you want to build camaraderie at a table, have each person in the group choose a card and answer the question. If you have enough time, ask each speaker a couple of follow-up questions. Alternatively, have others at the table answer those same questions for themselves. Then, swap cards, or pick new cards from the top of the deck.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

Start talking about topics that matter with the Common Ground UNZIP-IT Conversation Deck

UNZIP-it!™ WITH THE COMMON GROUND DECK

As you try to generate conversation and build new friendships and relationships, a key challenge is finding “common ground” experiences and interests that you share with others. This deck helps to uncover these commonalities.

COMMON GROUND PROMPTS

The Common Ground discussion prompts help build new friendships and relationships, by helping you explore experiences and interests that you share with others.

Prompts will help players to delve into new topics that draw out commonalities and shared experiences, for instance:

• Time: Ways to spend free time, weekends, vacations, etc.
• Favorites: Favorite foods, activities, apps, show, books
• People: Family and friends who impact your life
• Growth: Goals, talents, or skills you'd like to develop
• Moolah: What you'd spend money on
• You: claims to fame and more...

PLAYING WITH CONVERSATION DECKS

Pairs of 2 or 3

To play, deal a card to each participant. Have participants stand, find a partern, and discuss the questions on each of their cards. When their conversation has run its course, invite them to swap cards and hold their arm in the air, indicating to other players that they're ready to find a new partner. Repeat this process as time allows.

Table Talks

If your group isn't too big or you want to build camaraderie at a table, have each person in the group choose a card and answer the question. If you have enough time, ask each speaker a couple of follow-up questions. Alternatively, have others at the table answer those same questions for themselves. Then, swap cards, or pick new cards from the top of the deck.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

Start talking about topics that matter with the Session Openers UNZIP-IT Conversation Deck.

UNZiP-it!™ SESSION OPENERS CONVERSATION PROMPTS

The 30+ prompts on Session Opener are intended to build relationships and tease out session goals, so that facilitators can get their learning sessions off to a good start. To this end, prompts primarily cover these three categories:

• Getting to Know You - dreams, peeves, wishes, decisions, frustrations, talents
• Learning Styles - best teachers, preferred learning methods, learning goals
• Work Styles - proudest accomplishments, creative contributions, strengths

The Session Openers deck helps people get beyond knowing each other and contains deeper questions about motivations, goals, and what makes people tick. The most compelling reason to break the ice is to create a stress-free environment, optimized for learning.

PLAYING WITH CONVERSATION DECKS

Pairs of 2 or 3

To play, deal a card to each participant. Have participants stand, find a partner, and discuss the questions on each of their cards. When their conversation has run its course, invite them to swap cards and hold their arm in the air, indicating to other players that they're ready to find a new partner. Repeat this process as time allows.

Table Talks

If your group isn't too big or you want to build camaraderie at a table, have each person in the group choose a card and answer the question. If you have enough time, ask each speaker a couple of follow-up questions. Alternatively, have others at the table answer those same questions for themselves. Then, swap cards, or pick new cards from the top of the deck.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

Break the ice with the Favorites UNZIP-IT Conversation Deck.

FAVORITES PROMPTS

Although this refers to "favorites," we always recommend asking for "one of your favorites." Somehow, that seems to make it all a bit easier to answer the question. On this deck, which is one of our favorites, you'll find a range of topics including:

• Locations and destinations
• Ways to spend time
• Cuisines
• Art forms
• Preferences

Because every prompt is about YOU, a topic that most people can answer pretty easily, dialogue and sharing come quickly and easily.

PLAYING WITH CONVERSATION DECKS

Pairs of 2 or 3

To play, deal a card to each participant. Have participants stand, find a partern, and discuss the questions on each of their cards. When their conversation has run its course, invite them to swap cards and hold their arm in the air, indicating to other players that they're ready to find a new partner. Repeat this process as time allows.

Table Talks

If your group isn't too big or you want to build camaraderie at a table, have each person in the group choose a card and answer the question. If you have enough time, ask each speaker a couple of follow-up questions. Alternatively, have others at the table answer those same questions for themselves. Then, swap cards, or pick new cards from the top of the deck.

[NOTE: Silver Series Conversation Prompts are available as Thumballs, UNZiP-IT! Pocket & Deck, and Virtual/Remote PPT.]

UNZIP-it!™ and start talking about topics that matter!

The Emotional Intelligence UNZIP-it!™ Set puts almost 150 content-rich discussion prompts at your fingertips.

Emotional Intelligence is the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one's goal(s).

We've specifically chosen this set card decks with more than 150 discussion topics to stimulate conversations around Emotional Intelligence. Choose a card that will help stir up simple conversation or develop deeper understanding about the world around you. 

These six thematic decks make it easy to talk about meaningful topics in a fun and casual way. You'll be able to:

1. Find COMMON GROUND with others in your group -- The Common Ground Deck prompts help players discover shared experiences and interests. As you try to generate conversation to build new friendships and relationships, a key challenge is finding "common ground." This ball offers a fun way to uncover these commonalities.
2. Open your group up to more meaningful sharing with SESSION OPENERS -- The Session Openers Deck is a great way to set the groundwork for deeper conversations. It was developed to help groups scratch below the surface and explore motivations, goals, and what makes you tick.
3. GET TO KNOW friends, family or colleagues a little better -- The Getting to Know You Deck asks probing questions that get to your phobias, wishes, and favorite moments. For individuals who know each other pretty well already, it's an excellent way to dig a little deeper and learn something more!
4. With the DIVERSITY Deck, tackle a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. We live in a diverse world. Some differences are visible, like skin color, gender, height or weight, physical challenges and age. Others may not be visually apparent but still affect how individuals feel or are treated: ethnicity, socio-economic position, sexual orientation, use or non-use of alcohol, allergies, intellect, depression and other emotional diseases.
5. The FAVORITES Deck prompts are specially selected to help your groups explore one another's favorite people, places, things, experiences, preferences, and more. Talking about favorites is a delightful way to get conversations going and build relationships.
6. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EQ) Deck helps develop your teams’ EQ by facilitating conversations that help participants grow more aware of their motivations, measure their reactions to difficult situations, and hone techniques to manage those emotions.

Pocket: 8” x 6”
Cards: 3.5” x 2.5”

Start talking about topics that matter with the Emotional Intelligence Conversation Deck.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE CONVERSATION PROMPTS

Emotional Intelligence is a skill that allows people to be more effective in their roles at work and at home. It’s not just touchy-feely stuff and being able to name your feelings. Rather, it enhances employee retention and engagement, customer service, collaboration, and crisis management.

5 SKILLS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Emotional Intelligence (a.k.a. EQ) is associated with five skills. Develop your teams’ EQ by facilitating conversations that help participants grow more aware of their motivations, measure their reactions to difficult situations, and hone techniques to manage those emotions in empathy and social acumen. The five skills are:

1. Self-Awareness [SA]
2. Motivation [MO]
3. Self-Regulation [SR]
4. Empathy [EM]
5. Social Skills [SS]

On each card, below the conversation starter question, you'll see the EQ skill that the question addresses or develops.

PLAYING WITH CONVERSATION DECKS

Pairs of 2 or 3

To play, deal a card to each participant. Have participants stand, find a partner, and discuss the questions on each of their cards. When their conversation has run its course, invite them to swap cards and hold their arm in the air, indicating to other players that they're ready to find a new partner. Repeat this process as time allows.

Table Talks

If your group isn't too big or you want to build camaraderie at a table, have each person in the group choose a card and answer the question. If you have enough time, ask each speaker a couple of follow-up questions. Alternatively, have others at the table answer those same questions for themselves. Then, swap cards, or pick new cards from the top of the deck.

1-2-4-All

Expert Trainer, Nora Gerber, shares facilitation notes on using the 1-2-4-All approach with the Emotional Intelligence UNZIP-IT! Deck. Tips include:

• Writing a note-to-self
• Pairing up to discuss stories of different experiences
• Huddling in groups - to discuss each of the four skills in more depth:

1. 1. Self-Awareness [SA
   2. Motivation [MO]
   3. Self-Regulation [SR]
   4. Empathy [EM]
   5. Social Skills [SS]

• Returning to the big group to explore opportunities for individual and group development.

READ MORE!

Make your own learning magic in the classroom. This cool deck of cards is the real thing -- except for their BLANK faces!

Create your own game with questions, symbols, point values, etc by writing on the blank face with permanent markers.

Full deck of 52 cards- faces are blank, backs have blue design.

Cards are poker size 3.5" by 2.5"

PRACTICE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

These workplace scenarios, developed by Trainers Warehouse, address common categories of workplace dissonance. Each includes one or more roleplays that ask participants to consider their strategy in addressing a sticky situation. Each is an opportunity to either build or erode trust, which is key to effective working relationships.

BROAD RANGE OF TOPICS

The 18 scenarios contained in this deck cover a broad range of topics. As players practice, observers and facilitators can help identify successful approaches and outcomes. There are no “right answers.” The goal is simply to practice having difficult conversations in ways that build trust. Find roleplays that explore these four areas:

1. Conflict Resolution: Addressing differences and misunderstandings. Managing conflicts between team members or dealing with disputes within the team can be challenging. Successful outcomes require players to address issues tactfully, mediate disagreements, see things from diverse perspectives, and find solutions that maintain a cooperative work environment.
2. Performance Issues and Giving difficult feedback. Addressing performance issues like poor productivity, missed deadlines, or quality concerns, is a common challenge for managers. Give them an opportunity to practice giving constructive feedback, setting performance expectations, and developing improvement plans. Successful roleplays will consist of delivering difficult messages, providing feedback that’s specific and actionable, improving communication, and preserving relationships.
3. Sharing feedback and facilitating tough conversations within teams. Peer feedback is a valuable tool for professional development and collaboration. Feedback scenarios focus on giving specific, constructive, and supportive input about an individual's or team's growth and development. Productive conversations should foster a culture of collaboration and understanding within the workplace.
4. Leadership: managing change, crises, and growth (multi-person role-plays). Effective leadership can help motivate excellent work, create a positive organizational culture, and inspire action. Practicing multi-person scenarios will help leaders navigate challenges, guide teams, build alignment, and make decisions. Judge your success based on whether constituents feel heard, and everyone understands the way forward, with minimal stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

24-CARD DECK CONTAINS SCENARIOS AND FACILITATION TIPS!

Work-Plays deck (4" x 6") contains these 24 cards:

• 18 scenarios
• 1 Overview/cover card
• 1 Learning Objectives
• 1 Listing of 18 scenarios
• 1 Facilitation Suggestions
• 1 Example scenario
• 1 Debrief Suggestions

The deck comes in a beautifully designed box. The cards are a hefty 330 gsm, so they won't wear out!

NO RIGHT ANSWERS

Remind players that there are no "right answers." Rather these provide an opportunity to practice difficult conversations in a safe space. While you're players may not experience these exact situations in their workplace, they will raise familiar issues. Often, practicing with cases that don't strike too close to home is easier because it allows players to take some chances and try out new techniques to apply to more "real life" situations.

FACILITATION SUGGESTIONS

TIPS TO MAKE BEST USE OF SCENARIOS

1. Choose a role play scenario.
2. Select which conversation you’d like to practice.
3. Decide to conduct a one-on-one or multi-player roleplay.
4. Decide if role players will practice privately or in front of a small group.
5. Read the scenario to the group and/or distribute the situation to roleplaying participants.
6. Remind players: “There are no right answers. The exercise is about getting practice and discovering effective techniques.”
7. Select “observers” to help identify effective or problematic approaches.

FRONT-OF-ROOM FACILITATION TIPS

If you choose to demo difficult conversations in front of the room, keep these tips in mind:

• • Explain that participants will take turns having these difficult conversations. Let them know that you plan to stop and start frequently, so the group can discuss techniques that are effective and/or phraseology that inhibits productive dialogue.
  • Let participants who are playing the “difficult person” know they can ham it up as much as they want, but if an argument is compelling, they should respond positively.
  • Change role players frequently. Invite observers to raise a hand if they have an approach they’d like to try. Invite role-players to raise a hand if they’d like a “reliever” to step in.

Kind Cards is a set of 52 cards, including two wild cards, designed to enhance your kindness skills at work. Each card outlines a unique act of kindness, along with its benefits, practical tips, suggested scripts, and thought-provoking questions. On the back of each card, you'll find reflection questions, providing a space for you to record your experiences directly on the card.

Kindness is a skill, and like any skill, it varies among individuals. Needing help with kindness doesn't imply someone is unkind; it presents an opportunity for personal growth at all levels.

For Individual Contributors: Upskilling kindness improves collaboration and goal delivery.
For Managers: Kindness is your top retention tool; upskilling enhances team commitment and performance.
For Executives and Business Owners: Set a kind tone for the business; it results in higher retention, engagement, and overall organizational performance.

COLOR-CODED FOR EASY REFERENCE

The 52-card deck has three categories of cards, plus 2 wild-cards focused on practicing self-kindness.

• Red: Personal Growth and Self-Reflection (18 cards)
• Blue: Communication and Connections (17 cards)
• Yellow: Relationship Building and Support (17 cards)

On each card, find 7 elements:

1. A prompt for a kind act
2. Guidance on how to identify kindness opportunities
3. Examples of how to act on that kindness
4. Numbered cards to help pair that act of kindness with other acts
5. Ways to incorporate the kind act going forward
6. Questions to reflect on the act of kindness, its impact, and how it felt do perform the act
7. Emoji that aligns with the theme of the kind act

FOUR QUESTIONS FOR KIND CARD GROUP ACTIVITIES

INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS & OPPORTUNITIES

If using Kind Cards for group activities, team building, or EQ and kindness training, set out a deck of cards and ask players to select a a card that describes a...

• Kindness skill you're strong in -- and how it benefits your team
• Kindness skill you want to develop -- and how it might benefit your team
• Kindness action that could enhance team effectiveness
• Kindness act you value and hope others will extend to you
• Recent act of kindness you extended or received -- and how it made you both feel

Have participants share the card they selected and discuss why they chose it.

TEAM ASSESSENT

Alternatively, as a team, select 1-2 kindness acts, in which your team is...

• Currently really good at
• Could use some work on
• Might benefit from enhancing

USING KIND CARDS - INDIVIDUAL KINDNESS PRACTICES

Each week, simply choose a card randomly, or in order. Read the suggested act of kindness carefully. Keep the card with you as a reminder and actively look for opportunities to practice the kindness mentioned to a colleague. After performing the kind act, answer the reflection questions on the back of the card to capture the experience. If the opportunity doesn't arise, hold onto the card for the right moment or pick a new one to explore a different act of kindness.

DOZENS OF USES

• Team Building Activities
• Onboarding and Orientation
• Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity Initiatives
• Manager Training
• Internal Communication Campaigns
• Icebreaker Activities
• Conflict Prevention & Resolution Workshops
• Daily Huddles or Check-ins
• Company-wide Kindness Contests
• Company Values
• Critical Conversations
• Virtual Team Engagement
• Leadership Development

KIND CARD DEVELOPER, JAMIE GRACEFFA, PRESENTS...

POWERPOINT DEMO

Try the facilitation techniques described here!

Each Card is 4 1/2" x 5"

Synergy Stack is a deck of "Habit Cards"

The deck contains 48 "Habit cards," that help colleagues build synergy, communication, and understanding through improved Connections, Clarity, Curiosity, and Commitment. Use this thoughtful deck to help teams in their "Getting to Yes" efforts. Build strength in communication and negotiation skills. Develop alignment between individuals, teams, and departments by fortifying this critical set of skills and habits.

4 COLOR-CODED CATEGORIES TO BUILD SYNERGY

• CONNECTION: Get to know one another as human beings. The 12 GREEN cards focus groups on topics such as showing empathy, getting to know peers beyond the workplace, being real, giving credit where it's due.
• CLARITY: Develop a shared understanding of success. The 12 TEAL cards home in one on building shared understanding about goals, expectations, and priorities.
• CURIOSITY: Show genuine interest in other perspectives and possibilities. 12 ORANGE cards seek to explore others interests and perspectives through inquiry, idea sharing, challenging assumptions, openness to new thinking.
• COMMITMENT: Coming to clear commitment. 12 BLUE cards help get teams to the finish line by helping teams stay on track, honor deadlines and confidentiality, accepting accountability, and sparking action.

KEY ELEMENTS OF SYNERGY STACK CARDS

1. Title: The name of the HABIT (12 habits for each of the 4 Cs).
2. Color and icon- associated with one of the 4 Cs.
3. Description of the Habit – definition of the habit explains what the habit looks like when used effectively.
4. Question – example phrase showing how one might further explore or discuss the habit.

SO MANY USES

This thoughtfully curated collection of tools, games, and activities is designed to amplify team collaboration, foster innovation, and spark meaningful conversations among leaders at every level. The Synergy Stack deck is perfect for workshops, team retreats, or leadership development programs, such as:

• Dynamic Team-Building Exercises: Engage participants with activities that build trust, improve communication, and encourage problem-solving in real time.
• Powerful Discussion Prompts: Dive deep into leadership challenges using expertly crafted questions and scenarios.
• Adaptable Frameworks: Tailor activities to any group size or leadership style with flexible resources that meet your training objectives.
• Plus...
  • Team building
  • Strategic planning
  • Problem-solving
  • Project kick-offs
  • Post-project reviews
  • Company offsites
  • Conferences
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Conflict resolution and Negotiation Training
  • Communication training

READY-TO-GO LEARNING EXPERIENCES & GAME IDEAS

SynergyStack includes access to an online hub that's chock full of facilitation and teaching notes, multimedia content, deeper explanations of the 4-Cs approach, and 13 games that you can tailor to the needs of your groups.

• 3 general "icebreaker" exercises that use all the cards in the deck
• 4 exercises that use just the 12 cards of the associated "C"
• 1 Teambuilding exercise
• 3 one-on-one activities (build self-confidence, coach through a conflict, career development)
• 2 personal development activities

LEARN MORE

Read a synopsis here.

Listen to a recording.

FA

FAQs

Q: What is Synergy Stack?
A: Synergy Stack is a deck of 48 “Habit Cards” designed to strengthen team communication, collaboration, and negotiation. The cards help teams build practical habits across four areas: Connection, Clarity, Curiosity, and Commitment.

Q: How do teams use Synergy Stack in training or workshops?
A: Facilitators use the cards as conversation starters, reflection prompts, and activity guides during team-building sessions, leadership development workshops, project kickoffs, and retrospectives. The deck supports both group discussion and one-on-one coaching.

Q: What are the four categories in Synergy Stack?
A: The deck is organized into four color-coded categories:

• Connection (green): building empathy and human connection

• Clarity (teal): aligning on goals, expectations, and priorities

• Curiosity (orange): exploring perspectives and challenging assumptions

• Commitment (blue): accountability, follow-through, and action

Q: What’s included on each Habit Card?
A: Each card includes the habit name, a brief description of what the habit looks like in practice, and a sample question or prompt facilitators can use to spark discussion or reflection.

Q: What kinds of programs is Synergy Stack best for?
A: Synergy Stack works well for team building, leadership development, strategic planning, communication training, negotiation training, conflict resolution, project kickoffs, post-project reviews, offsites, and coaching or mentoring sessions.

Q: Is Synergy Stack suitable for different group sizes?
A: Yes. The cards can be used with small groups, full teams, or in one-on-one coaching. Activities can be adapted for workshops, retreats, classrooms, and conference sessions.

Q: Are ready-to-use activities included?
A: Yes. Synergy Stack includes access to an online hub with facilitation notes, deeper explanations of the 4Cs framework, multimedia resources, and 13 ready-to-run games and exercises that can be tailored to different learning goals.

Q: What skills does Synergy Stack help develop?
A: The cards help build practical habits for communication, collaboration, alignment, curiosity, accountability, problem-solving, and negotiation—skills that support high-performing teams and effective leadership.

DISCUSSION STARTERS THAT GET YOU TALKING ABOUT MEANINGFUL TOPICS

It's time to open up the conversation and talk about the unspeakable! The Shaped By Our Past deck helps people get to know each other by looking into the past and the roads traveled. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes to understand what makes people tick! We are who we are today because of our history and our lifetime of experiences. Encourage your group to share details of their past -- school, friends, family, hobbies, challenges, and more! (Click on the card images above to see the prompts).

Each deck contains the same prompts as its namesake Thumball (you can customize any blank cards with your own discussion prompts)

SHAPED BY OUR PAST CONVERSATION PROMPTS

The "Shaped by Our Past" collection of prompts draw out the experiences in our life that helped shape who we are today. Among them you'll find:

• Childhood memories: birthdays, vacations, regrets
• Past experiences: scary moments, hospital visits, turning points, accomplishments
• Daily life when you were younger: extracurricular activities, friendships, summer traditions
• People & personalities: impact of birth order, mentors, grandparents

Cards: 3.5” x 2.5”