LEADING THE GAME
Should I lead or play along?
When leading a game you can participate yourself or you may simply lead and allow
the group to play while you observe. If your goal is to build a rapport between yourself
and the group members, you should play the game. By being a part of the group you can
build relationships and trust as well as have a good time.
How can I create a non-threatening atmosphere?
“Challenging” people to participate rather than saying they “have to” is a good way to
create a non-threatening atmosphere and to empower people with the power of choice.
Remind people that stepping out of one’s comfort zone and trying new things is the best
way for them to grow and change. Be prepared! Be very familiar with the game and know
how you will lead the discussion after the game.
When is a good time to stand back?
If you are trying to create opportunities for developing teamwork skills it is
sometimes good to step back and let the group work together. When a group is given a
challenging task and the leader is participating, they will often look to the leader for
guidance and the group won’t work to its full potential. By allowing a group to work on its
own, the leader empowers the group members and individuals are able to step forward and
have a bigger role in the group.
How do I select the game?
Start by focusing on the obvious issues faced by the group members and set your
group goals accordingly. By learning various life skills and by working on a variety of goals,
each of the group member’s needs can be addressed. For instance if some group members
are shy and don’t feel as competent as others, try a self-esteem game. If you are trying
to get new members to get to know one another, try a “mix-it-up” game.
How do I know that participants are getting the point of the game?
The after game discussions are a vital part of the game. The discussion should
debrief what just happened and then be made applicable to the group members’ lives. For
example, when working on teamwork you may discuss what happened, the roles different
people took on in the activity and compare this with how the participants respond when in
other groups where they must work as a team member such as their role in the FFA. There
are discussion prompts in the books by Alanna Jones to get the discussion started. Don’t
ask yes or no questions. Open-ended questions require members to think about what
happened and explain it back to the leader. Think through what the experience would be
like for you before hand and use your own experiences and ideas to help lead and expand
the conversation.
Adapted from “104 Activities that Build” by Alanna Jones which is available on amazon.com