Is your participant group in need of a little energy boost? Want to add some fun to a specific transition within your facilitated session? Tired of using the same, old, boring, facilitation stuff, like "everyone stand up and stretch?" Here's a quick, collaborative and fun transition tool that always gets a laugh and serves to re-engage participants.
If you're familiar with the Myers-Briggs "Preferences Test" (different from the full assessment instrument), you already know most of what you need to know. The basic "Preferences Test" is to simply ask people to fold their hands with alternating fingers interlocked. Everyone will naturally end up with either their right thumb or their left thumb on top. Then, participants are asked to change their interlocked fingers so that the "other" thumb ends up on top. The ensuing discussion in the Myers-Briggs application is all about "preferences" and how neither way is "wrong," just "different." This is typically used in Myers-Briggs talks, so generally their is a significant number of participants who are familiar with this test.
This transition suggestion is a slight variation of the Myers-Briggs interlocked fingers test. With a big smile, a fun disposition, and positive posture, have your participants shake out their hands, do a little stretch, and then bring their hands together with interlocking fingers. Briefly reference the Myers-Briggs "Preferences Test" and then reveal that NEW PERSONALITY RESEARCH is now available regarding preferences.
Have people raise their hand if their RIGHT thumb was on top. Announce that new research indicates that these people are INCREDIBLE THINKERS. Let this group hoop and hollar it up.
Have people raise their hand if their LEFT thumb was on top. Announce that new research indicates that these people are AMAZINGLY SEXY. Let this group hoop and hollar it up.
Then, give the participants a chance to bring their hands together with interlocking fingers one last time. Ask if anyone has both thumbs next to one another (several always do!!). Announce that new research indicates that these people THINK they are AMAZINGLY SEXY.
Have fun with it !!