'Session Openers' Thumball

Help people get to know each other

After all, the most compelling reason for an ice-breaker is to create a stress-free environment, optimized for learning. These 6" Thumballs offer a range of get to know you options.

The Session Openers Thumballs offers somewhat deeper prompts that explore players' motivations, goals for the event or session that lies ahead. It also offers a handful of tips that let individuals share insight into what makes them tick.

Toss the ball and ask recipients to share their reaction to whatever prompt lies under their thumb. Thumball is a soft 6" stuffed ball with loads of applications!

Facilitation Suggestions

Choose when to use it:  Customers say, "This is one of the best session starters ever, because I can relate it to my content!" As an open-ended exercise, it's a perfect conversation starter for icebreakers, energizers, team building, lesson reinforcement and more.

Explain: Let your group know that you see the Session Openers Thumball as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and each other. Help those who dislike icebreakers to understand that the Thumball will help them:

1. Understand who else is participating (if they don't already know each other)

2. Uncover goals and expectations for the day

3. Surface concerns about the material or other issues that may be distracting them

How to play

Take turns circulating the Thumball by passing, rolling, tossing and catching. Ask recipients to respond to the prompt under their right thumb.

If you want to kick it up a notch, try these creative twists:

1. Specify that answers should relate specifically to personal and workplace experiences.

2. Ask players to anticipate what answer will be given by another player.

3. Have players recall answers given by previous responders, before adding their own answer.

4. Ask first recipient to select an answer panel to which all players must respond or contribute.

5. Survey players on several question panels, then create charts or graphs that

   reflect the cumulative responses.

Book a 1 hour workshop
When you need to try out tools focusing on dialogue (Thumball, picture cards, dialogue cards, coaching carpet) with your team, do not hesitate to call and order a one hour workshop with Michael Meinhardt. He will guide you all through different methods and tools and involve everybode in weeks to come. Workshop price is DKK 2.500 plus travelling expences.