Back in the Tube - Energiser
Duration:
5 minutes
Objective:
This quick energiser helps demonstrate that once something has been said, it is
often impossible to take it back.
It is really useful to use at the start of a training course on ‘Bullying and
Harassment’ or during courses on ‘Communication Skills’ or ‘Leadership Skills’.
Resources:
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A tube of toothpaste
A bowl
Instructions:
1. Ask for a participant to volunteer and join you at the front of the room.
2. Hand them the tube of toothpaste and the bowl.
3. Ask them to squeeze the toothpaste into the bowl.
4. Once they have done this say, ‘Now put it back in the tube’. When they say
that they can’t, say, ‘Go on, put it back in the tube’. At this point they will
either laugh, or gain say that they can’t.
5. Ask them if they are sure they can’t put it back in the tube and when they
agree, ask them to return to their seat.
6. Explain to participants that the toothpaste is much like negative, rude or
unkind comments. Once they are out, they are impossible to put back. This
should lead onto a further discussion about the impact of words and negative
communication.
Uses:
This energiser is great for demonstrating the impact of negativity and how unkind
words can affect people and never be removed.