Duration: 10 – 15 minutes
Group Size: Platoon Level (min: 20)
Resources: Post-it pads & markers
Purpose: To emphasize that everyone in a team matters, no matter how big or small a role the person has.
Overview: To avoid elimination and be the last few persons to remain in the game.
Conduct:
- Divide the group into 2 or 3 smaller groups e.g. based on some criteria like age, height etc. Group size may vary.
- Assign each group a monetary value. Every member will take on this monetary value. For a 2-group situation, the suggested values are 10 cents for each member in one group and 15 cents for each member in the other group. For a 3-group situation, the suggested values are 10 cents, 15 cents and 35 cents. Hand out post-it notes. Members are to write their assigned values and stick it on their foreheads.
- Tell the group that you will call out a value e.g. $0.55 cents. When you do so, everyone should try and get into groups to form that exact value. For a 2-group situation, this will mean 4 x 10 cents plus 1 x 15 cents. It could also mean 3 x $0.15 cents plus 1 x 10 cents. Have a trial round if necessary to demonstrate the mechanics of it.
- Give the group about 1 min to organise themselves after you have called out a number. Anyone who is not part of a group with the exact value will be eliminated from the game.
- Call out a new value with each round until most of the people are eliminated from the game and only a few people (around 5) remain.
- Declare and congratulate the winners.
- Run another round of the game if time permits.
Debrief Questions:
- What does this activity tell us about the contribution of every member in a team?
Notes: Every member has a role to play in a team no matter their perceived value. Sometimes, the lower value makes all the difference. The team is only able to complete and fulfill its task/mission when everyone plays his part.