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Better Communications
For Employees Anywhere
This is a quick, easy and fun game for corporate or department retreats. It is best done at a time during the day when employees need a good break and some light-spirited fun. I usually do this any time after 2:00 when employees start to nod off.
Preparation: Before the retreat, fill a large trash bag with a variety of large balls (e.g. beach balls, children’s toys, foam balls, etc), stuffed animals or other soft objects that can be easily thrown and caught. I usually include a rubber chicken in the trash bag just to make it funny.
Get everyone to form a circle.
This is what you will say:
- You are charged with getting rid of the ball or object that gets thrown to you. Get rid of it as fast as you can until I say STOP.
You will reach into your bag and quickly pull out one object at a time and throw it to anyone in the circle. Do not hesitate. Keep throwing to different people each time. Get the speed going until complete pandemonium occurs. People should be screaming, laughing, and throwing those balls and toys all over the place. You should have a crazy mess. 
STOP!
Give everyone a chance to settle down and stop the flying objects. When you have everyone’s attention, ask them what they experienced. They will tell you about how they got bopped in the head by a flying moose or a beach ball. Let them laugh and relay all the details about the craziness.
Then ask them what they believe is the purpose of the exercise. Most people will say something about teambuilding. However, the real objective is to demonstrate that communication is a two-way activity. If you wish to Communicate to someone, the recipient must be ready to Receive. Communicate Receive. Communicate Receive.
Collect all the balls and go through the same activity again. Notice the difference. Everyone will be much more orderly and civilized. Each person throwing the ball will look for the acknowledgement of the person receiving. They will be communicating with their toys; no more pandemonium.
Following this fun (and stimulating) exercise, you can discuss how this concept can be carried into the workplace for every day communications: in person, email, instant messaging and memos. The person communicating must make sure the recipient is ready to receive.
Have fun! 
GAMES for Grandmas, Kids and CEOs