Communication is the Key!™ | Communication Training Activity

• Exposes the danger of making assumptions
• Highlights the importance of checking and clarifying all aspects of a task
• Forcefully shows the importance of unambiguous written communications
• Illustrates how important it is to plan for meetings and agree agendas
• Shows how easy it is for communications to go wrong!

Each team works separately and has a map of an area showing a number of hostelries as well as their own colour flag. One team’s task is to visit the hostelries to collect bottles of water; the other’s task is to collect empty bottles. The teams also have to draw the other’s flag. They do not know each other’s tasks but know that their joint score is what will be measured.

Their means of communication is two-fold:

• They can send unlimited emails via a central computer.
• They can have one 5 minute meeting every half hour at which only one person from each team can speak (the rest of the team can silently attend the meeting).

Sounds simple? At the end the two teams often have no idea about what the other team was trying to do!

1. Divide the group into two and place a computer and printer between them.
2. Explain the task in general terms and the mechanics of using the computer.
3. Issue teams with their Briefs and maps.
4. Observe teams at work and stand by to arrange and oversee the meetings where only one member from each team can speak although all team members may attend.
5. Hold a Debrief (where many teams are amazed to learn what the other team’s task was). All misunderstandings are revealed and the lessons can be related to real examples from the workplace.

Full guidance supplied in the Trainer’s Notes.

Hard & Digital Copy

• ☑️ Hard copy pack supplied
• ☑️ Program supplied (internet access required)
• ☑️ PDFs & PowerPoint supplied

Digital Copy

• ☑️ Program supplied (internet access required)
• ☑️ PDFs & PowerPoint supplied
• ❌ You will need to source: Felt pen sets

Full contents

• Trainer’s Notes
• Computer Program (internet access required)
• Trainer's PowerPoint
• Team One Briefing Folder
• Team Two Briefing Folder
• Maps
• Planning Sheets
• Review Forms
• Felt Pen Sets

This activity is for face-to-face classroom use. The digital files are supplied via the Northgate Trainerhub.

Our licence offering is designed to provide exceptional value and flexibility for your organisational training needs.

Upon purchase, each Northgate activity includes a five-year licence for repeat use, with up to a maximum number of delegates per training session. The maximum number of delegates permitted for this activity is 12. This grants you the freedom to use the activity repeatedly, with the specified maximum number of delegates, for five years.

All Learning and Development (L&D) professionals based at the same site (or ‘remote hub’) as you are granted access to these resources, including to the digital files on the Trainerhub via your site-specific Trainer Dashboard, fostering a collaborative spirit within your immediate team.

Should you wish to make this activity available to a wider audience within your organisation, additional licences are required. We understand the varying needs of different organisations and aim to provide flexible options to suit your requirements.

For further information on our licence terms, please contact us. We are here to assist you in enhancing your training initiatives and ensuring a seamless and hassle-free licensing experience.