Points of You (The Coaching Game) - Icebreaker

Written on the 3 May 2013 by Points of You & Talent Tools

Following is an example from among infinite possibilities for working with The Coaching Game
in a group professionally, as an Icebreaker

1. Choose an objective or goal of working with the game in a group setting.
    Example: an icebreaker.

2. Take the Coaching Cards out, and present the process thusly:
    ”We’re going to get acquainted with each other, and we’re going to do so in an unusual yet fun way ?
     we’re going to play a game. I have here 65 cards. Each card has a word and a picture.
     I’m going to place the cards in the middle of the circle face down, and I’m going to ask each of you in turn
     to choose one, and tell the group what that card tells about you or doesn’t tell about you.”
     Explain that there are all kinds of cards: “positive” ones depicting success, joy, or love; as well as “negative”
     ones depicting fear, difficulty, failure, or death. In fact, there are no “positive” or “negative” cards:
     Each card simple represents a point of view. “In any case,” explain, “if you choose a card that doesn’t move
     you one way or the other, you may replace it and choose another. But before doing so, though, think about
     the fact that this action in itself is an opportunity to challenge your automatic response.”
     Now spread the cards out as you’ve explained (click here to read about the face-up option), and begin
     to play.

3. Each player in turn chooses a card and using it, introduces herself to the group. Let the player whose turn it is
    “cope alone in the spotlight”, and observe his or her reaction upon seeing the card s/he chose. The player can
     speak as much or as little as s/he chooses, even down to a single word: Any response is acceptable.
    If there’s time and it adds to the process, the players can stop and ask the player whose turn it is:
    - What do you see when you look at the picture?
    - How does the picture relate to the word?
    - Which do you relate to more: the word, or the picture?
    - How does the card relate to your present life?

4. After everyone has had a turn, you can follow suit. Or, alternatively, you can choose to go first in order to
    break the ice or to “leaven / liven up the process”.

5. You might also wish to prepare a few stories from the Coaching Book that you feel would add to the process,
    interspersing reading them aloud with the players’ presentations.

As soon as you’ve experienced using The Coaching Game, it’s easy to invent more games and processes.