Exclusives

Show your appreciation with a small wooden Slice of Nice™ token that’s sure to make recipients smile.

Sure, there are lots of ways to show appreciation -- tokens of appreciation, words of thanks, thank you notes, mugs, gifts, you-name-it -- but a "Slice of Nice™" is perfect. Slice of Nice™ wooden tokens are playful, colorful and hearty, without going overboard.

FEATURES

• Includes 21 tokens - 3 each of 7 styles
• Tokens measure 1¼” diameter
• Chunky 1/8” thick
• 7 different messages
• Back side of each token says "Slice of Nice"

Pick the perfect message for your recipient:

1. You're a Star
2. Thank You
3. You Make Us Shine
4. You're an Essential Piece
5. You're One of a Kind
6. You Take the Cake
7. Orange You Great!

Studies have shown that when people are actively involved in the thinking and decision-making process, their sense of ownership inspires results that exceed expectations. Road to THERE is the toolkit to create buy-in, increase creative energy, and inspire ownership in an organization's plan to excel!

WHY ROAD TO THERE VISIONING TOOL?

This simple tool takes the fear out of strategic planning and visioning, which for many people conjures up images of heated arguments, confusion, unresolved disagreements, hours of circular-reasoning disguised as healthy debate, and for some, the embarrassment of not knowing how.

Yet, without a clear and effective plan that lays out a roadmap to the future, and to which team members can buy-in, the organization creates an environment that is prime for chaos.

HOW IT WORKS

The Road to THERE walks individuals and teams through the process of visualizing the future and creating a clear road map that identifies the objectives, the potential obstacles, and the distance between where you currently are and how far you need to go to get THERE. With it are the Hows that everyone involved can participate in creating -- therefore making it real to the individual contributor and inspiring ownership.

INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED (except the meeting platform)

Road to “THERE” Virtual Toolkit was designed to help facilitators walk their teams through a thorough strategic planning process. The goal of the facilitation is to create an action plan with clarity of purpose, accountability, and focused intention. Included in the digitally-delivered toolkit is:

1. The Road to “THERE” PowerPoint Video for Online Teams
2. Concise Facilitator Guide, containing tips, not included in the PPT file
3. Downloadable Planning Worksheet Master files
4. Accountability Matrix Master File

NOTE: You will also need an online Meetings Platform, which allows for small group breakouts, shared whiteboards, and voting (i.e. Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, etc..)

Creator, Linda Callecod, talks about using Road to There during a Live Workshop

Dive into conversations about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the DEI Thumball by Trainers Warehouse. The DEI Thumball, a favorite diversity and inclusion game, tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity.

After all, building community and culture by understanding our individual identities and differences isn’t just nice-to-do. It’s our shared responsibility. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to creating high-performing, supportive, and engaging workplaces. Unfortunately, many leaders are unsure about how to have conversations about these sensitive topics and then how to transform the discussions and intent into action. Like other diversity training SMEs, make this diversity training game a core component of your next DEI training event!

The D-E-I Thumball helps team leaders, teachers, and managers have safe and constructive conversations about identity, experiences with racism, community challenges, privilege and power, as well as ways to promote tolerance and feelings of belonging.

In addition to the 31 conversation prompts contained on the Thumball, you’ll find FACILITATION TIPS and a GLOSSARY of common DEI terms in the packaging.

Many people worry about saying the wrong thing during DEI conversations. As a result, these important conversations often don’t happen. The DEI Thumball is loaded with poignant conversation prompts about identity, experiences, community, us-versus-them thinking, privilege and power, and DEI in today’s world. Each prompt, vetted by diversity experts, is phrased to promote positive conversation and shared understanding.

Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed vinyl ball that looks like a cool soccer ball. Its panels are pre-printed with questions suited for adults and teens. Safely toss it around in a group and ask participants to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb. Looking for more DEI resources? Try the Diversity Thumball or the DEI Remote UNZIP-it that lets you have great conversations during online learning events as well!

FEATURES

• 31 prompts about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• 6" ball is safe to toss indoors
• Conversation prompts vetted by industry experts
• Facilitation notes included in packaging
• Glossary of common DEI terms in packaging

VERSATILE DIVERSITY-EQUITY & INCLUSION PROMPTS include...

Identity - share aspects of your identity that affect your life

Experiences - discuss times you felt belonging, targeted, micro-aggression, etc.

Our community - consider organizational initiatives to promote inclusion

Us vs Them thinking - identify allies who are alike or different from yourself

Privilege and Power - explore concepts of power dynamics, privilege, and oppression

DEI Today - discuss current dynamics that influence people's participation in DEI efforts

©Trainers Warehouse 2023

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

FACILITATION TIPS

TIP 1: Create a safe environment – Beyond sharing your goals and wishes for open dialogue, discuss ways in which the group can create “psychological safety.”

• Recognize that everyone joins the conversation with unique experiences and knowledge. Embrace players’ needs to pass on a question or ask for explanations.
• Acknowledge the difficulty in sharing personal information and offer support. Use “OUCH” signs, to indicate personal hurt or express empathy.
• Listen and ask questions to understand and empathize, not to defend, debate, or rationalize.

TIP 2: Set ground rules together – Players are more likely to abide by ground rules if they help define them. The group’s list will likely look something like this:

• One person speaks at a time
• Speak for yourself; Use “I” statements
• Seek understanding by asking for clarification
• Critique ideas, not people
• Agree to disagree. Disagree without being disagreeable
• Listen and validate other players
• Be open to new ideas, not judgmental

TIP 3: Be prepared if conversations get sticky – Equip yourself with a few techniques to ease emotional situations

• Revert to the ground rules, as needed
• Express how situations make you feel
• If parties disagree, suggest they switch roles and make the counter argument
• Keep a “parking lot” of difficult topics to be addressed later
• Share your own personal stories
• Take a break and regroup later
• Thank participants for sharing

TIP 4: Establish a shared vocabulary – Define common terms in the DEI world’s evolving lexicon.

Ally / Allyship: Someone who supports a group other than one’s own

Anti-Racist: a person who opposes racism and promotes racial equality.

BIPOC: An acronym used to refer to Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Conversation across difference: open discussions about peoples’ different beliefs and backgrounds.

Micro-Aggression: Verbal or nonverbal slights which communicate derogatory or negative messages to target persons. i.e. “You are a credit to your race.” “I jewed him down.” “Why are you so loud/quiet?”

Psychological safety: refers to an environment in which team players can take risks without fear of retribution or negative consequences.

Unconscious Bias: stereotypes about certain groups of people that form outside individuals’ conscious awareness. Common biases are based on gender, race, weight, ageism, beauty, name, height, etc.; i.e. consider this riddle: a father and son are in a horrible car crash that kills the dad. The son is rushed to the hospital; just as he’s about to go under the knife, the surgeon says, “I can’t operate—that boy is my son!” How can this be? The surgeon is the boy’s mother

NOTE: This ball is part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

©Trainers Warehouse 2023

MORE RESOURCES

• Tips & Suggestions on Facilitating Thumball Experiences
• How Deep to Discuss
• 7 Tips to formulate great questions
• More tools for great conversations
• Discover Your Thumball Style
• How Deep to Discuss Infographic
• Ground Rules Signs
• Tips for facilitating difficult situations

Look under your thumb and share! The Developing Resilience Thumball is a playful tool for serious discussions. Add this dynamic resilience game to your next Resillience Training event!

When life gives you lemons or worse, how do you get back on track? How do you muster optimism and compassion for yourself and others? Use the discussion prompts on the Developing Resistance Thumball to explore how individuals and teams can foster patience, acceptance, gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, and personal composure. Talk about the various ways that each person can find their sense of meaning and pursue it, bolstered by community support and interpersonal connections.

Resilience is a critical skill that helps people adapt to changing and difficult circumstances in both their personal and professional lives. Help your teams build resilience by engaging in conversations that encourage optimism, positive thinking, compassion, and growth mindsets. The discussion prompts on the ball are designed to develop community and shared understanding at any resilience training session.

FEATURES OF THE TRAINERS WAREHOUSE RESILIENCE GAME

• 32 prompts about Resilience, vetted by industry experts
• 6" diameter ball is safe to toss indoors
• Facilitation notes included in packaging
• Thumballs are made of foam, no inflation necessary

DEVELOPING RESILIENCE THUMBALL PROMPTS

Although you won't find these categories on the resilience game ball itself, we find it helpful to see what topics are addressed and how. Spice up your resilience training with this playful tool!

Patience - consider situations that test your patience and ways to calm yourself

Optimism - reflect on the future and opportunitites for happiness

Gratitude - share who and what are you grateful for

Acceptance - think about how you respond to bad news

Kindness - contemplate ways to spread happiness

Purpose - pause to consider goals and accomplishments

Forgiveness - when, why, and how can you forgive others

Connection - identify the people who give you joy and advice

Composure - consider when you lose composure and how you regain it

Listening - discuss ways to show you're listening.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

FACILITATION TIPS

1. Explain your goal. To maximize participation, explain that your goal is to promote shared understanding and build a happier, more supportive environment.
2. Don’t rush. Appreciate that some may not be able to give quick or pat answers to a prompt; others might want to take some time to discuss their thoughts. Feel free to linger before moving to the next question, giving people ample time to discuss what’s on their mind.
3. Take notes. Thumballs have a great way to tease out important information. Keep a notepad handy in case you hit a topic you’d like to revisit later.
4. Give each player a “pass.” If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a PASS, ASK A FRIEND, or TOSS AGAIN.

Stop procrastinating! "TUITs" are a great reminder not to wait until you get "around to it" or "a round TUIT."

There's surely no better way to say "Don't procrastinate! Do it NOW" than with these sleek wooden tokens that say "TUIT" on one side, and "Don't Wait" on the other.

FEATURES

• TUITs are packed in sets of 24
• Coated wooden nickels measure 1.5" diameter
• Front side: TUIT
• Back side: DO IT! Don't Wait 'Til You Get "A Round TUIT"...

USING TUITs?

• With each passing day, students forget a little bit of what they learned. TUITs offer a gentle reminder to try techniques right away.
• Introduce TUITs at the end of a learning event and ask, "What might prevent you from getting around to applying your new skills?"
• Have each participant identify an action item, a "to do," or an "IT," which they pledge not to put off.

Trainers Warehouse offers tons of tools to make learning effective, fun, and memorable. Try our our range of Debrief and Review Tools, so that time spent in training doesn't go to waste.

Every product we sell comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren't satisfied with your order, neither are we!

These playful kudos notes share poignant messages with humor. The Raving Rhymes have messages that share appreciation, thanks, and recognition. Choose the perfect card to focus on work well done, team contributions, efforts, performance, and overcoming challenges. Spread positive energy and build engagement by dashing your own thoughts on the back of these lively and creative cards.

FEATURES

• Set includes 30 cards. 5 each of 6 different designs
• Cards measure 4.25" x 5.5"
• Reverse side leaves room for a hand written message
• Colorful designs are eyecatching and fun

FIND 6 GREAT MESSAGES

• You Rock - appreciate their energy and let them know they're a pleasure.
• You're a Star - drawing on the well-known Starfish Story, let your colleague know they're a star!
• Kudos! - expresses thanks for contributions, creativity, participation, and engagement
• You're the G.O.A.T. - let a student or colleague know they're one of the "greatest of all time" and an important member of the crew.
• Token of Appreciation - take a moment to express gratitude with a message that says, you're "first rate"!
• Caught You - when you see someone doing something great, let them know they've been caught.

SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED!

Trainers Warehouse specializes in hard-to-find products for corporate trainers and teachers. We guarantee every product we sell... or your money back.

Set up a mini dry-erase sign on desks and tables for quick messages, meeting participant names, marketing display booths, school messaging, bakery and food displays, specials events and more.

PERFECTLY-SIZED MINI DRY-ERASE TABLE STANDS

Measuring 3" x 4.5", the mini boards are sized just right. They are small enough to be convenient and large enough that writing will be clearly visiable from a distance.

FEATURES

• Includes 12 convenient boards
• Easily write-on and wipe-off with a dry-erase marker
• Use and reuse!

DRY ERASE WHITEBOARDS YOU CAN RELY ON

Trainers Warehouse dry erase surfaces are easily erased and don't leave bothersome ghosting marks. Sometimes, however, if you leave dry erase marker on for too long, it can become difficult to wipe off. If that happens, you can use readily-available cleaning solutions to bring your boards back to their original pristine condition.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

If you're unhappy with your purchase, please let us know so that we can make good on our promise. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and will gladly refund or replace your order with something that will better suite your needs. We always strive to produce well-made, reliable tools for teachers, trainers, and facilitators. If you can't find what you need, please let us know!

Look under your thumb and share! Use the Diversity and DEI Thumballs to playful explore serious topics.

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. Trainers Warehouse's Silver Series Thumballs focusing on DEI explore both personal connections to the topic and organizational initiatives.

VETTED BY EXPERTS

Every prompt in our Diversity and DEI Thumballs has been reviewed by seasoned diversity trainers, with the understanding that not everyone using these balls will be an expert facilitator in this topic. Each prompt was designed with the goal of enabling individuals to:

• Speak for themselves
• Think about their own identity
• Consider their own experiences in feeling like an outsider
• Explore the origins of their thoughts about diversity
• Consider ways they can show empathy and create a welcoming environment

DIVERSITY THUMBALL

Diversity Thumball, originally introduced by Trainers Warehouse in 2015, has gone through a few revisions since its inception. It tackles a difficult topic with smarts and sensitivity. Use the prompts to 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 unpopular 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...

D-E-I THUMBALL

The D-E-I Thumball has a bit of a different bent. We wanted to push a little further to enable team leaders, teachers, and managers to have safe and constructive conversations about identity, experiences with racism, community challenges, privilege and power. We wanted to expand the set of discussion prompts to promote greater tolerance and feelings of belonging. Ultimately, we decided there was "room" for two complementary diversity-focused Thumballs.

What's on the ball? Many people worry about saying the wrong thing during DEI conversations. As a result, these important conversations often don’t happen. Each prompt on this Thumball is phrased to promote positive conversation and shared understanding.

• Identity - share aspects of your identity that affect your life
• Experiences - discuss times you felt belonging, targeted, micro-aggression, etc.
• Our community - consider organizational initiatives to promote inclusion
• Us vs Them thinking - identify allies who are alike or different from yourself
• Privilege and Power - explore concepts of power dynamics, privilege, and oppression
• DEI Today - discuss current dynamics that influence people's participation in DEI efforts

THUMBALL FEATURES

Each Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed vinyl ball that looks like a cool soccer ball and has 31 panels pre-printed with questions suited for adults and teens. Safely toss it around in a group and ask participants to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb.

• PHYSICALLY SAFE: 6" ball is safe to toss indoors
• 31 PROMPTS: With so much content, if someone wants to choose a favorite question... why not?
• EMOTIONALLY SAFE: Conversation prompts are vetted by industry experts.
• TIPS: The packaging includes facilitation notes to help ensure that the experience is positive for everyone. In addition to tips, ground rules, and what to do if situations get sticky, the DEI Thumball includes a glossary of common terminology.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

WATCH THEM IN ACTION

View these videos to see how to use our Thumballs and have a conversation about Diversity and Inclusion:

FACILITATION TIPS

FACILITATION TIP 1: EXPLAIN & SET GOALS

Introduce the activity by explaining: "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, addictions, abstinence, allergies, intellect, depression or other emotional disorders, etc. The goal is to understand each other better and start a dialogue."

FACILITATION TIP 2: SET GROUND RULES

Explain that conversations about diversity and bias can be emotionally charged. The goal is to share our experiences of feeling different or excluded and identify ways to create a more welcoming, diverse and compassionate community. So that everyone can feel safe, have the group set up their own Ground Rules. Here are some that you might want on the list:

• Only one person speaks at a time
• Speak only for yourself; use “I” statements
• No personal attacks – critique ideas, not people
• Agree to disagree; disagree without being disagreeable
• Listen – make sure everyone feels heard and validated
• Be positive and non-judgmental; open to new ideas

FACILITATION TIP 3: IF CONVERSATIONS GET STICKY

Expert diversity facilitators suggest these techniques to ease difficult or emotional situations:

1. Pause the conversation so you can review the ground rules with the group.
2. As the facilitator, share how an experience made you feel.
3. Ask others how an experience made them feel.
4. If two parties disagree, suggest that they switch roles and make the counter argument.
5. Keep a flip chart of difficult topics that can be addressed later.
6. Allow attendees to volunteer their participation as they feel comfortable.
7. Ask others for input on how they have handled similar situations.
8. Be ready to share some of your own personal stories.
9. Take a break. Stop for awhile and regroup.
10. Thank participants for sharing their personal stories.

NOTE: These balls are part of Trainers Warehouse's exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

End learning session by taking a beat -- a pause to let the learning settle in and allow learners' brains to organize the new information so it can be easily recalled. Take time at the end of class to draw our key learning points and ah-ha moments.

MEMORY-BUILDING CONVERSATION PROMPTS

The Session Closers Thumball offers a variety of memory-enhancing techniques. Understand that our brains aren't equipped to remember every single thought that enters. Instead, we remember what we take time to think about. Each of the prompts on this one-of-a-kind Thumball seeks to enhance retention by highlighting memorable points for participants, making them consider goals or challenges of implementation, heightening the emotional impact of the session, and more.

For instance, prompts help learners focus on ...

• Information and observations learned
• Top take-aways and AH-HA moments
• Remaining questions
• Ways to implement or use information going forward
• People they can turn to for support and questions, or just to share what they learned.
• Challenges that pushed their comfort zone

FACILITATION TIPS

To get the most out of your Thumball experience, consider these tips:

• Be transparent about your goal. Help the group understand why review is import for memory and recall.
• Don't rush. Remember that synthesis and retrieval of information takes time -- and a different amount of time for different players. Invite responders to consult with a colleague, or ask that you come back to them for a more thoughtful answer.
• Move from small groups to bigger groups. Understand that some don't like sharing in a large group. Welcome players to discuss answers with one or two other participants, pool their answers, then share with the group. After that, check in with the whole group. See if all the groups come up with the same responses.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

The point of any learning game is the debrief—the conversation at the end of the experience when facilitators tease out observations and learning points.

LEARNING GAMES ARE WORTH THE BOTHER!

Make the most of any learning game! Learners don't want to be in training sessions that they feel are a waste of time. Similarly, facilitators want to use their time well. Skilled trainers, teachers, and facilitators know that learning becomes more "sticky" if they can create experiences that draw out emotions, incorporate physical movement, include surprise, and help learners stay focused. It's why games are the perfect conduit for growth and learning, and the reason trainers take time to find the perfect experiences.

One more benefit of games is that they remove you from the real world. If facing a challenge that differs from their real job, players often feel safer trying new things, take risks, and assume different roles. They get to see how normal tendencies, ways of thinking, and manners of behaving play out and intersect with others.

DEBRIEF LEARNING GAMES, EXERCISES, AND ACTIVITIES

But that's just the start. For experiences to stick -- for them to move to long-term memory -- individuals must take time to think about what happened. They have to talk about it, relate it to something they already know, understand its importance, and consider when they might need to retrieve that learning down the road. After all, we only remember what we take time to think about (otherwise it's quickly in and out of our brains). That's the importance of a DEBRIEF!

You'll find the Session Debriefs Thumball useful for games focusing on:

• Team building
• Communication
• Leadership
• Process improvement
• Negotiations
• ... and more

SESSION DEBRIEF PROMPTS BASED ON BRAIN SCIENCE

I realize that may have sounded like a lot of memory and brain gobbledy gook above, but it's all applied in the Session Debrief Thumball.

This unique Silver Series Thumball offers a variety of conversation prompts that will help players consider the behaviors, strategies, and communication techniques that helped and hindered their success. Among the 32 prompts, you’ll find discussion starters that help players think about and process their experience and focus on the learning points worthy of long-term memory. For instance:

• Home in on feelings experienced during the game
• Consider roles assumed by various players and how those emerged
• Observe the strategies that help divide the group or build consensus
• Think about the means by which leaders emerged
• Understand communication strategies that helped or hindered the group's efforts
• Apply lessons to real world challenges

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE LEARNING GAMES AVAILABLE FROM TRAINERS WAREHOUSE

Trainers Warehouse sells so much more than Thumballs. Explore a variety games that build awareness or skill in communication, team development, and leadership. Find additional debrief tools here.

PuzzleBlind® Team-Building Game is an immersive corporate training activity designed to strengthen communication, trust, and role clarity. In this exercise, blindfolded builders must assemble a puzzle while coaches provide verbal instructions. The challenge highlights teamwork, leadership, and the importance of clear communication—making it a favorite for leadership retreats, manager training, conflict resolution workshops, and corporate team-building events.

WHY FACILITATORS LOVE IT

• High-impact learning: Teams immediately see how poor communication creates misalignment and how clarity builds success.
• Versatile: Works as a leadership exercise, energizer, or corporate icebreaker.
• Memorable experience: Blindfolds and timed construction create an engaging challenge with lasting lessons.
• Practical debrief: Surfaces real workplace issues like unclear directions, assumptions, and role confusion.
• Role clarity: Teams shift between strategists (coaches) and executors (builders), exploring leadership styles and decision-making dynamics.
• Trust under pressure: Without sight, participants must trust instructions and each other—trust becomes both the method and the lesson.
• Adjustable difficulty: Add or remove rules (e.g., only coaches speak, all blindfolded, one question per turn) to scale challenge and insights.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This game is a useful tool to discuss the following interteam-dynamics:

• Improve communication and listening skills
• Build trust and team alignment when solving problems
• Clarify roles and responsibilities, including choosing and developing leaders
• Practice conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Increase confidence in leading and coaching others
• Listening to multiple speakers and perspectives and addressing when teammates talk over each other

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Puzzle pieces set -- Oversized puzzle have texture on one side
• Durable blindfolds for team members
• Facilitator guide with setup, instructions, and debrief prompts
• Reusable tote bag for easy storage and transport

BEST USES

• Corporate training and leadership development programs
• Team-building workshops and offsite retreats
• Conflict resolution or communication skills training
• Energizer or icebreaker at the start of a meeting
• Hybrid or remote team sessions (with creative adaptation)
• Leadership development by rotating roles and debriefing leadership behavior

FAQS

Q: What’s the ideal group size?
A: Flexible—typically 4–8 players per puzzle, but works well with parallel teams for larger groups.

Q: What skills do participants develop?
A: Teams practice communication, trust, listening, coaching, and conflict resolution—all under realistic workplace-like conditions.

Q: What materials are included?
A: Each kit comes with puzzle pieces, blindfolds, a facilitator guide, and a tote bag. All materials are durable, safe, and reusable.

Q: Who benefits most from this activity?
A: Trainers, HR teams, managers, and leaders running workshops on communication, collaboration, and team trust.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Plan for a 30+ minute activity—15 minutes to strategize and play, plus debrief time.

FACILITATING PUZZLEBLIND

Before you begin:

• Scatter the puzzle pieces on the ground with the textured side up (the other side is smooth).
• Assemble your team around the puzzle
• Let them know that some portion of their team will need to assemble the puzzle blindfolded.
• 1 RULE: Only blindfolded players can touch the puzzle pieces
• Give teams up to 10 minutes to strategize -- to choose a leader(s), decide how many players (and who) will be blindfolded, etc.
• NOTE: see below for additional facilitation choices that will increase the challenge.

Expect the game to take 30+ minutes depending on your group and the depth of your debrief.

PUZZLEBLIND AS A TEAM BUILDING GAME

When playing PuzzleBlind, facilitators can adjust the experience to focus on a range of communication and teambuilding challenges. Consider some of these options:

• One coach & many builders - See what happens when only one team member is sighted, and all the others are blindfolded. While the coach is directing one builder, what do the others do? How do they communicate with each other? Are they talking over each other? Do they wait for the leadership of the only one with vision?
• Two coaches & one builder - Explore how the two coaches interact. Are they both shouting instructions? Is one determining which pieces should fit together, and the other focused on communicating to the builder?
• Multiple coaches & multiple builders - Watch to see how they organize themselves and communicate with one another as you add more people to the challenge. Do they include everyone in the group or are just a few interacting?

Increase the difficulty by adding these rules:

• Only the coaches can speak; builders must be silent.
• All players are blindfolded... no sighted coaches.
• Each builder can ask only one question of the coach.
• Only one person can speak at a time.

PUZZLEBLIND PUZZLE PIECES

The game was designed to optimize the team building experience:

• Each of the 12 pieces are shaped so that each can be uniquely described.
• Every piece is recognizably different from every other piece.
• Foam material is extremely light weight so players can move pieces around easily.
• Giant size makes the activity suitable for groups of 2-6 adults.
• Multiple completed puzzles fit together, extending the application of the game to inter-group collaboration.
• Finished puzzle measures 4.5' x 6' / Individual pieces measure approximately 20" x 20"
• One side of the pieces has a texture, the other is smooth.
• 6 Blindfolds are included

SPACE & SET UP

Be sure you have ample space for the players and the puzzle. The completed puzzle measures approximately 6' x 4.5'.

Depending on the number of coaches and builders you choose, you might opt to keep all the puzzle pieces stacked in a pile or laid out on the ground.

ADDITIONAL FACILITATION NOTES ARE INCLUDED WITH THE GAME

COMPARISON CHART

Not sure which team-building activity is right for your group? Trainers Warehouse offers a variety of experiential learning games that build skills in communication, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and conflict resolution. Use the chart below to compare five of our most popular activities—PuzzleBlind®, Helium Stick®, TeamWRITER®, Shape Up!®, and Team 10®—and choose the one that best fits your training goals, group size, and workshop format.

Look under your thumb and share! This Session Thumball Set has all the prompts you need to Open, Debrief and Close your learning event.

Trainers Warehouse's Silver Series Session Thumball Set is perfect for running an entire meeting focused on getting to know your participants, helping them learn from the session and closing out with key takeaways. As with any Thumball it's super-easy to play. Simply, toss the ball and ask recipients to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their (right) thumb. Thumballs are soft 6" stuffed balls with loads of applications!

THE "SESSIONS SET" INCLUDES...

• Session Openers Thumball -- more than your standard ice-breaker, this one offers somewhat deeper prompts that explore participants' motivations, goals for the event or session that lies ahead.
• Session Debrief Thumball -- use this one reflect on experiential learning activities.
• Session Closers Thumball -- end the learning day by taking a moment to highlight key take-aways.
• Clear plastic tote - tote color varies and chosen randomly based on in-house stock

SESSION OPENER THUMBALL PROMPTS

The prompts on the Session Opener Thumball 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

SESSION DEBRIEF THUMBALL

For experiences to stick -- for them to move to long-term memory -- individuals must take time to think about what happened. They have to talk about it, relate it to something they already know, understand its importance, and consider when they might need to retrieve that learning down the road. After all, we only remember what we take time to think about (otherwise it's quickly in and out of our brains). That's the importance of a DEBRIEF!

You'll find the Session Debriefs Thumball useful for games focusing on:

• Team building
• Communication
• Leadership
• Process improvement
• Negotiations

SESSION CLOSER THUMBALL

End a learning session by taking a beat -- a pause to let the learning settle in and allow learners' brains to organize the new information so it can be easily recalled. Take time at the end of class to draw our key learning points and ah-ha moments.

The Session Closers Thumball offers a variety of memory-enhancing techniques. Understand that our brains aren't equipped to remember every single thought that enters. Instead, we remember what we take time to think about. Each of the prompts on this one-of-a-kind Thumball seeks to enhance retention by highlighting memorable points for participants, making them consider goals or challenges of implementation, heightening the emotional impact of the session, and more.

For instance, prompts help learners focus on ...

• Information and observations learned
• Top take-aways and AH-HA! moments
• Remaining questions
• Ways to implement or use information going forward
• People they can turn to for support and questions, or just to share what they learned.
• Challenges that pushed their comfort zone

THUMBALL FEATURES

Each Thumball™ is a soft 6" stuffed vinyl ball that looks like a cool soccer ball and has 31 panels pre-printed with questions suited for adults and teens. Safely toss it around in a group and ask participants to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb.

• PHYSICALLY SAFE: 6" ball is safe to toss indoors
• 31 PROMPTS: With so much content, if someone wants to choose a favorite question... why not?
• EMOTIONALLY SAFE: Conversation prompts are vetted by industry experts.
• TIPS: The packaging includes facilitation notes to help ensure that the experience is positive for everyone.

In LEGO® Activities for Training, you’ll find each activity contains easy step-by-step instructions to set up and debrief the exercise, as well as time and materials needed. Plus, find tips to integrate the game activity into a larger training session!

These activities are suitable for experienced or novice Trainers, Facilitators, Educators, and Coaches. Those who consider themselves novices should expect to take extra minutes to think through their needs and be very clear on the PURPOSE and CONTEXT of the session.

21 ADAPTABLE EXERCISES

Each activity is designed to start conversations. For maximum effectiveness, you may need to make some adjustments to the instructions or timing. Use these notes as a guide but feel free to make changes to suit the needs of your team or conduct deeper discussions. NOTE: copy written in red italics indicates words you will speak.

LEGO® ACTIVITIES FOR TRAINING INCLUDES

The deck includes:

• FAQs
• LEGO brick suggestions
• Icebreakers and Introductions - 7 activities
• Communication Skills - 7 activities
• Team Dynamics - 7 activities

COLLECTING THE RIGHT LEGO BRICKS

The deck DOES NOT INCLUDE Lego building materials. However, LEGO bricks are readily available new (at toy stores) and used (ebay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) While you can use any LEGO bricks for these activities, you may want to consider the following:

• LEGO® Explorer Bags & LEGO® Serious Play Starter Kits: These sets work well if you want everyone in the team to have the same selection of bricks. They’re also ideal in exercises requiring players to duplicate another team’s model.
• More isn’t always better: A smaller selection of bricks can be helpful with storytelling and metaphors.
• Base plates: Extra base plates help when asking people to create a scene or move about the room to share their creations with others.
• Mini-figures and Special bricks: Pieces such as eyes, flags, and wheels etc., help create a variety of scenes. Mini Figures are useful for expressing interactions between people.
• Keepers: Allowing learners to keep their LEGO® model can help with memory and retention, as well as spreading the word about your LEGO®-based training.

7 ICEBREAKER ACTIVITIES

1. My Accessories (10 mins + 2 mins PL sharing) - Introductions and assessing knowledge.
2. Build a Creature (10 mins + 2 mins PL sharing) - Introductions and making links to personality.
3. My Monday Morning (10 mins + 2 mins PL sharing) - Creative introductions that link to roles.
4. Five Piece Speed Build (6 mins + 1 min PL sharing) - Quick introductions that can link to efficiency and time management.
5. Build a Tower (10 mins + 2 mins PL sharing) - Introductions that use a tower as a metaphor for experience (or anything else).
6. Surprise Surprise! (8 mins + 2 min PL sharing) - Make deeper connections through sharing.
7. My Journey so far... (8 mins + 3 mins PL sharing) - Explore how people evolved to their current roles and the experience they bring with them.

7 COMMUNICATION SKILLS ACTIVITIES

1. Build an Animal (10-30 mins) - Start a discussion about clear instructions and interpretations.
2. Build My Duck (20-30 mins) - Highlight what happens when communication is sporadic and unclear.
3. My Duck's Better Than Yours! (20-30 mins) - Explore the nuance of “great” vs. “best.”
4. The “RIGHT” Duck? (5-10 mins + Discussion) - Demonstrate the importance of clarity.
5. Making Connections (5-10 mins + Discussion) - Illustrate how more people, means more interpretations.
6. Picture This (15-30 mins) - Show how visual images are seen differently, or explore the impact of limited resources.
7. Persuasive Communications (20-30 mins) - Increase confidence in approaching others.

7 ACTIVITIES FOR TEAM DYNAMICS

1. Follow the Leader (20-30 mins) - Highlight that the role of leader in a team isn’t always what you imagine.
2. The Value of Values (30-40 mins) - How one’s values may link or clash with the team.
3. Defining Company Values (60 mins) - Allow teams to explore company values in more depth.
4. Hanging off the Edge (30-40 mins) - Get the team working together to come up with a solution to a unique challenge.
5. Sabotage (30-40 mins) - Explore how people may approach a task differently depending on their goals.
6. Ask Me! (20-30 mins) - Discover the talents of each team member.
7. Beyond the Team (30-40 mins) - Highlight the impact of additional stakeholders.

NOTE: LEGO® is not associated with this product

Create an amazing community mosaic with these 43 interlocking tessellation puzzles pieces. Have every participant illustrate a piece with their goals, interests, interpretations, personal history, etc.

Think of your Community Mosaic as a quilt for all ages. The pieces fit together any-which-way, making this fun for small groups or huge ones!

Invite participants to decorate their puzzle piece in their own style and in accordance with your preferred theme.

TRAINING & FACILITATION IDEAS

A few of our customers shared these applications and ideas:

• Have participants "decorate" their piece to reflect a strength (a leadership strength, facilitation strength, something they're good at, etc. Use those either at the start of your session as a means of introducing participants to each other, or at the end of a session, as a feel-good closer.
• Consider including 6 qualities or functions on each piece -- one on each prong, and discuss how each of those could impact others in the group.
• Move the pieces around like gears to remind groups of how different aspects and/or contributions can affect or "roll off" on others.
• To explore the interdependence of different roles, functions, or individuals, illustrate each on mosaic piece. Have groups discuss how those roles "touch" and impact many others. Revolve them like gears to appreciate the many others they might impact.
• Organize and reorganize the pieces to discuss where individuals see themselves in the team or organization.

COMMUNITY MOSAIC TESSELLATION FEATURES

Some call the interlocking shapes "puzzle pieces." Others think of them as flowers or snowflakes. Whatever you call them, the set features:

• 43 interlocking shapes
• Every piece fits together with every other piece
• Uncoated surface takes all sorts of markers (even watercolors), without smudging
• Individual pieces measures about 3.5" wide

FILL 'EM UP WITH ANY MARKERS

You can use any sort of markers, crayons, glitter, etc. The more colorful, the better. You'll want to remind participants that the mosaic will look best if everyone decorates the whole surface of their piece, including the tabs that stick out the sides of each piece. If participants would like to practice their artwork or try different ideas, encourage them to trace the shape onto a sheet of paper.

A PUZZLE AS BIG AS YOUR GROUP!

If you like symmetry, these layouts show several possible configurations using 36 to 43 pieces. For larger projects just keep adding pieces to reach the desired size. This unique tesselation can increase in size infinitely!

GET GREATIVE!

Community Mosaics are creative and colorful reflection of your cohort! Try one of these themes:

Workplace/Training ideas

• Ah Ha moments
• Team Identity
• Group Projects
• Leadership Qualities

School ideas

• Personal identity or Positive Character Traits
• Science/Nature
• Social Studies
• Reading themes and characters
• Religious verses, stories, or holidays

ASSEMBLY & DISPLAY

Although pieces hold together without a bit of "product," you can easily save and post your mosaic by adhering pieces with contact paper, puzzle glue, or Trainers Warehouse Omni-Tabs. Adhesives are not included.

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.]

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.]

Create your own icebreaker or conversation game. Choose from 1200+ discussion prompts to get people talking about topics that matter. Use Trainers EXCHANGE to break the ice, dive into deeper subject-specific topics, energize the group mid-day, debrief your game, or close out the day. Play or online!

Use the 1000s of conversation starters for online meetings, webinars, presentations, team meetings and more.

FEATURES

• Pick from over 40 themes -- Getting To Know You, Team Building, Diversity, Ethics, Session Openers, Closers, Personal Growth... (see full list below)
• Choose conversation prompts, famous quotations, meeting closers, jokes, energizers and tons more!
• Select all the prompts from a theme or only a handful
• Search by keyword or category
• Shuffle up to 6 themes
• Favorite your most-liked themes
• See which themes are most popular

Whether you are face-to-face or connecting virtually, meaningful conversations are critical to building strong relationships and developing trust. Conversation Prompts, Quotes, Energizers, and all the content you’ll find in the Exchange are designed to help groups get relaxed or energized, so they can open up and have meaningful conversations.

HOW TRAINERS EXCHANGE WORKS

Each theme has 30+ prompts. Subject matter experts helped develop all topic-specific prompts to ensure their suitability for team development.

TRY TRAINERS EXCHANGE NOW!

WATCH A BRIEF OVERVIEW

Themes include:

WATCH A SHOW & SHARE ZOOM TO SEE IT IN ACTION

Effective time management is critical for efficiency, productivity, stress reductions, achievement, and work-life balance. While it allows organization to reap the benefits of greater productivity, it takes more than simple reminders to "stop procrastinating."

The Time Management Thumball is a dynamic tool designed to facilitate conversation and understanding. Featuring 31 thought-provoking conversation prompts, it empowers players to explore their individual time management challenges and opportunities. Cover topics such as procrastination, technology, sleep, priorities, urgency, importance, planning, delegation, and more.

BUILDING TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Typically, time management curriculums cover these business skills:

• Avoiding procrastination
• Digital time management (time spent on devices)
• Ways to improve focus and productivity
• Sorting and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance

TIME MANAGEMENT THUMBALL PROMPTS

Each conversation prompt on the Time Management Thumball encourages reflection and discussion about personal time management, including:

• Topics for Reflection
  • Typical time thieves
  • Understanding when and why you lose track of time
  • Feelings about planning, to-do lists, and deadlines
  • Personal priorities
• Strategies for Better Managing Time
  • Managing interruptions
  • Delegation
  • Structuring time and breaks
  • Time saver tips
• Use of down time
  • Favorite time-wasters
  • Routine activities
  • Sleep

FACILITATING THUMBALL ACTIVITIES

Playing with Trainers Warehouse Silver Series Thumballs couldn't be easier. Just toss the ball and ask the recipient to respond to the prompt under their thumb. Beyond that, remember that your goal is to make conversations about time management interesting and productive. Remind your group that there are no "right answers. The goal is to understand yourself and each person's pitfalls, opportunities for improvement, and pick up a few new strategies.

TIPS

1. Explain your goal. Be transparent in communicating the purpose of the game.
2. Don't rush. Appreciate that some many not be able to give quick answers; others might want to take time to discuss their thoughts.
3. Give players a "pass." If a player finds a prompt particularly difficult, invite them to take a pass, ask a friend, or toss again.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

MORE CONVERSATION STARTERS BY TRAINERS WAREHOUSE

In addition to Silver Series Thumballs, Trainers Warehouse offers many other tools to build relationships, inspire conversation, and enhance learning about meaningful topics. Explore products such as Conversation Cards and UNZIP-IT Decks. Some facilitators prefer decks because they enable players to have small group conversation with 1 or 2 other participants before sharing with a larger group of players.

Get ready for fun, laughter, and lively debates with the Would You Rather... Thumball! This engaging and interactive conversation game features a collection of thought-provoking and hilarious "Would you rather..." questions designed to spark creativity, encourage storytelling, and reveal surprising opinions. The Would You Rather Thumball takes players through a playful activity that explores their personality and preferences on a range of topics. It's a creative way to get to know each other a bit better.

On this Thumball, you'll find two preferences on each of the 32 panels. They represent divergent preferences for technology, pampering, work, strengths, superpowers, and more. This Thumball is fun, fun, fun! Use it ball to learn more about friends or colleagues. It's great for work, school, family gatherings, team functions, parties, and more!

** FACILITATION TIPS **

While some may find it easy to choose which they'd rather, others may be stumped. Welcome players to discuss the choices and why it's a hard decision for them. After all, the goal is to encourage conversation and get to know each other better!

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

1. When you're playing feel free to frame any prompt to a specific time of life, situation or objective.
2. Specify that answers should relate specifically to personal or workplace experiences.
3. Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.
4. Survey players on several question panels, then create charts or graphs that reflect the cumulative responses.

©Trainers Warehouse – Trainers Warehouse holds the copyright for this set of questions. Reproductions cannot be made without express approval.

This ball is part of our exclusive Silver Series Thumballs.

MORE RESOURCES

• All about Silver Series Thumballs
• Tips & Suggestion on Facilitating Thumball Experiences
• How Deep to Discuss
• 7 Tips to formulate great questions
• More tools for great conversations
• Discover Your Thumball Style
• How Deep to Discuss Infographic

In this game of communication and collaboration, blindfolded players must figure out which of the shapes that they hold is a duplicate. Success requires clear and concise communication, active listening, and collaboration, as several of the shapes could be easily confused with each other.

The facilitator will instruct players,

“Without looking at your shapes, determine which players have matching shapes.” Optionally, you can let them know that only two players will have matching shapes. Or, you can throw in more matches and NOT tell them how many will be a match (this is much more difficult!)

CONTENTS OF SHAPE-UP

This communication and teambuilding game contains:

• 26 wooden shapes (2 each of 13 different shapes)
• 10 blindfolds

MORE TEAM BUILDING FACILITATION OPTIONS

In addition to the Shape-Up game, facilitation notes include 5 additional game ideas including:

1. PARTNER PAIR-UPS - players use the 13 different shapes to find a partner (one with either a matching or complementary shape)

2. BEHIND-THE-BACK PARTNER PAIR-UPS - without seeing the shape that they hold, players must find the person who has their matching shape.

3. SHAPE-UP ICEBREAKER INTROS - using the shapes a metaphors, players pick a shape that reminds them of a personal experience (or a learning goal; or a characteristic they’re proud of; etc.)

4. METAPHORICAL DISCUSSIONS & DEBRIEFS - players choose a shape that represents an observation, question, or learning point, and share their metaphorical reflections with the whole group.

5. SHAPE-ly DEBRIEF & REFLECTION QUESTIONS - conduct a "S.H.A.P.E.ly" debrief

S – SHAPES - discuss what was difficult about describing the shapes

H – HELPFUL/HURTFUL - identify approaches that were helpful or hurtful to the effort

A – ACTIONS - focus on actions and break-through moments

P - PREPERATION - draw out the impact of preparation as teams approached the challenge

E – END RESULTS - discuss the group's satisfaction with their end-result

©Trainers Warehouse. SHAPE-UP is a collaboration between Teamwork & Teamplay and Trainers Warehouse.

COMPARISON CHART

Not sure which team-building activity is right for your group? Trainers Warehouse offers a variety of experiential learning games that build skills in communication, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and conflict resolution. Use the chart below to compare five of our most popular activities—PuzzleBlind®, Helium Stick®, TeamWRITER®, Shape Up!®, and Team 10®—and choose the one that best fits your training goals, group size, and workshop format.

Team 10 is a team assessment and group challenge activity that encourages accurate communication, adaptation, and creative problem-solving. Team 10 is an ideal table game for conferences, training events, workshops, or other group gatherings. Play the game with 2-12 players. Expect 10-20 minutes for game play, plus 10-15 for a debriefing and discussion.

SUPER-EASY TO FACILITATE

OVERVIEW: Taking turns, each player will flip 2 cards at a time, until the team reveals 10 cards with all Xs or all Os

PLAYERS: Play the game with 2-12 players.

TIMING: Expect 10-20 minutes for game play, plus 10-15 for a debriefing and discussion.

SET UP:

1. Randomly place the following 22 cards face down on a table:
2. 18 Xs and Os (Either 10 “X” and 8 “O” OR 10 “O” and 8 “X” cards).
3. 4 “Word” cards (Kaboom, Move it, Swap 2, Scramble)
4. Scatter the “Rules” cards face up for easy reference.
5. Invite the group to gather around, read through the rules, and check for understanding, Encourage the group to spend a minute or two planning how they will proceed before starting the game.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TEAM 10 DECK

The deck has all you need to effectively facilitate and play Team 10:

• HOW TO PLAY Facilitation Notes
• RULES - 2 cards show the rules so that they're visible to all players
• LEARNING TAKEAWAYS - typical learning points drawn from playing the Team 10 communication game
• REVIEW & REFLECTION IDEAS - 12 questions to reflect, debrief, and discuss the game, focusing on preparation, play, and going forward
• X and O cards - we include a few extra for two reasons: 1) you have a replacement card if you lose one; and 2) so you can switch up with is the winning "hand"
• "WORD" cards - These cards (Kaboom, Move it, Swap 2, Scramble) interrupt players mid-game, requiring them to regroup, restrategize, and reflect on how different players deal with adversity or interruptions.

THE RULES

These guidelines help both the facilitator and players maximize the game experience:

1. Player can flip only two cards face up OR two cards face down, during each turn.
2. Player cannot turn one card face-up and another card face-down in the same turn.
3. Each card must remain in the same general location (unless instructed otherwise).
4. A maximum of 10 cards can be face-up at any time.
5. If a card with a word appears, quickly follow the instructions on the card.
6. Take turns flipping cards. Include every team member.
7. No taking notes or pictures! All communication must be verbal.
8. The game ends when 10 cards with the same symbol are face-up, and all others are face down.

FACILITATION TIPS

TAKE AWAYS

Typical insights from successfully completing the Team 10 challenge include:

• Heightened awareness of the skills and talents present in the team.
• Impact of committing to a single course of action; difficulty in changing direction after a goal is set.
• Exploring various techniques for problem solving, generating solutions, creativity, adaptability, communication, consensus building, teamwork and decision making.
• The ability to work with time limitations and adapt to setbacks.
• Abiding by rules can be challenging; some may be more comfortable with bending or questioning rules.
• The importance of honesty and ethical behavior.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH, LEARNING, AND DISCUSSION

Team 10 is a versatile game that can bring out many learning moments.
Just by watching teams play for as little as 10 minutes, you will have a
glimpse into the skills of your groups, seeing how they deal with a variety
of team dynamics:

• Decision Making. How do they make decisions? Do they listen
  to a range of perspectives or the loudest voice? How do they function as a group?
• Divergent perspectives. How do they make sure everyone’s voice is heard? Do they see issues
  from a variety of different angles? How does shifting positions or putting themselves in
  another’s shoes change their view?
• Dealing with adversity. What happens to a group when something unexpected happens (i.e. if
  they’re working on a project but a key vendor falls through)? How do they capture, remember,
  and draw on organizational memories?
• Rule‐following & Ethics. What do teams do if they inadvertently break a rule? How do
  individuals respond? How does the team respond? Who blows the whistle? What if it’s on
  purpose? How does the team manage such ethical challenges?
• Importance of Strategizing and Planning. What are the benefits of preparation and discussion?
  How can teams get everyone on the same page from the start? Why is that important? How do
  they balance the need for strategizing with the amount of time it can take?
• Leadership. How do leaders emerge? What does leadership look like? How do leaders make
  others feel? How do teams build inclusion and reach consensus?
• Dealing with Frustration. Frustration happens in real life. The question is how people deal with
  it. Do they give up, act out, charge forward, move with haste, or pause to regroup?

Of course, which of these the facilitator focuses on will depend on: 1) the team’s experience during the
game, 2) organizational needs, and 3) the facilitator’s ability to identify and home in on pertinent
learning moments.

DRAWING OUT THESE TEACHABLE MOMENTS – FINAL DEBRIEF OR STOP‐ACTION
Understanding your goals, you can draw out conversations and reflection EITHER during play or after. If
you notice a teachable moment. Feel free to stop action and discuss any of these questions right when
they see the “teachable moment.”

©Trainers Warehouse. TEAM 10 was developed by Guido Cremonesi of Simple Training (www.simpletraining.it) and Jim Cain of Teamwork & Teamplay (www.teamworkandteamplay.com) and produced by Trainers Warehouse (www.trainerswarehouse.com).

COMPARISON CHART

Not sure which team-building activity is right for your group? Trainers Warehouse offers a variety of experiential learning games that build skills in communication, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, and conflict resolution. Use the chart below to compare five of our most popular activities—PuzzleBlind®, Helium Stick®, TeamWRITER®, Shape Up!®, and Team 10®—and choose the one that best fits your training goals, group size, and workshop format.

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.

The 30-inch "Big Tube" is large enough to carry 6 Thumballs. Its internal diameter is an ample 7". It's made of sturdy codura nylon. Plus, it's light, fashionable and a pleasure to carry.

Includes detachable shoulder strap.

THUMBALLS NOT INCLUDED!