If you have at least six participants in a workshop lasting two or more days, getting them to work with different people within the group is a great idea. In this blog I’ll explain why this is such a good idea, and when and how to orchestrate such a change.
Why?
Changing groups provides an opportunity for each participant to gain additional perspectives from others. It also allows for great networking opportunities internally or externally. It even creates a fresh group dynamic. In addition, the level of participant job experience can be more evenly distributed throughout the group. There is also an interesting side effect of changing groups; the frequency of sidebar conversations is often reduced because participants may not be sitting with a coworker whom they know well.
When?
As a general rule, it is recommended that you change groups once per day in multiple day workshops. There are two ideal times to change groups; the first is at the end of the day. I prefer this approach because everyone knows where to sit when they come in the next day. I may even relocate them at the end of the day, but wait to conduct the icebreaker until the next morning so they have more energy.
The second option is to change groups just before or after lunch. Of course, you could relocate the participants before lunch, and conduct the icebreaker after lunch.
How?
While you could simply have each participant count off by the number of groups you have, there are more creative ways to make this change. One of my favorites is using playing cards to redistribute the participants. Then I use the cards in the icebreaker.
For example, with 16 participants in 4 groups, I’d use the following steps:
- Order 16 playing cards so that each group gets the same card values (ace to four), but in a different suit (hearts, diamonds, etc.). Table one would get the aces, table two would get the twos, etc.
- Assign a suit to each table. Table one = clubs, table two = diamonds, etc.
- Ask the participants to move to their new table based on the suit of their card, and be sure they bring their cards with them.
- Once moved, have each table put their new cards in a pile.
- One participant at the table takes the pile, shuffles it, and randomly selects a card.
- That participant then shares that many answers with the new table group. (A=one answer, 2 = two answers, etc.) Consider questions like: “List # things the group may not know about you.” or “Answer # questions created by your group.”
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 until all participants at the table have answered the questions.
In part two of this blog, I’ll share three other group changing techniques that participants really seem to enjoy. Until then, remember—change is good!
Jim
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