Unleash Your Team's Superpowers in A Better Place Cooperative Game!

What is A Better Place?

A Better Place is a fun and engaging team-building game that focuses on cooperation and creativity. In this activity, players team up to envision and then build a model of their ideal world. Each team will need to discuss, collaborate, and compromise in order to create their shared vision.

This game is all about unity and the power of collective imaginations. Players are encouraged to think big and get creative, sketching out ideas, and creating physical representations. It’s a great way to promote dialogue among team members, discover shared values, and constructively work through any differences.

From using craft supplies to digital design tools, teams pitch in ideas and work together towards a common goal. In the process, everybody learns a little more about each other and the kind of world they’d like to see. A Better Place is not about who's best—it's about everyone working together to make something great.

Materials needed for A Better Place

A Better Place requires no materials or tools to play. Just bring yourself and a few others and you'll have a great time!

How to play A Better Place

• Gather the group: Ask everyone in the group to gather in a circle or a designated space.
• Explain the objective: Tell the group that the objective of the activity is for each person to share how they would make the world a better place.
• Start with the first person: Have the first person start by saying their name and one thing they would do to make the world a better place.
• Continue clockwise: Once the first person has shared, have the person sitting next to them share their name and one thing they would do to make the world a better place. Continue clockwise until everyone has had a turn.
• Encourage active listening: Remind the group to actively listen to each person's ideas without interrupting or judging. Everyone's perspective is valuable!
• Optional extension: For a longer and more in-depth discussion, you can ask follow-up questions after each person has shared their idea. This can spark even deeper conversation and connection within the group.
• Wrap up: Thank everyone for sharing their ideas and their willingness to make the world a better place. You can end the activity here or move on to another related discussion or team-building exercise.

Benefits of A Better Place

Team-building activities like A Better Place are integral in building effective teams and creating a positive work environment. Such exercises are not just all fun and games; they genuinely help in honing various skills and boosting team morale.

Icebreakers such as A Better Place not only break the monotony but also open up channels of communication, promote healthy competition, and strengthen bonds among team members. They facilitate relaxation, interaction, and friendly cooperation. This can lead to improved problem-solving skills, enhanced creativity, and increased camaraderie within the team. A Better Place, specifically, encourages players to visualize their dream world and work collaboratively to create it.

Some of the benefits of A Better Place include:

• Enhances creativity and innovative thinking: participants get to think out-of-the-box and suggest possible ways to improve the world as we know it.
• Promotes effective communication: since teams need to work together and build on each other’s ideas, good communication is vital.
• Strengthens team collaboration: everyone needs to contribute and collaborate to build their ideal world.
• Teaches problem-solving skills: to create A Better Place, players will need to resolve disputes and overcome challenges.
• Boosts morale and unity: working towards a common goal brings people together and builds a strong sense of camaraderie.

Why we like A Better Place

We love A Better Place because it’s a perfect blend of team-building, brainstorming, creativity, and fun. The game is not just a chaotic scramble, but also a source of insightful thoughts, collaborative energy, and inspiring discussions - all while working towards creating a 'better place'. We get to see team dynamics in action, witness how different minds can come together to form a collective vision and get a glimpse of what kind of a 'better place' each team conjures up! What’s not to like about that?

Reflection questions for A Better Place

In the A Better Place activity, reflection questions play a crucial role in distilling the lessons learned during the game. By pausing to ponder these queries, participants can observe their actions, decision-making processes, and group dynamics more objectively.

Reflection questions are an opportunity for the team to communicate openly about their experiences. They can share their thoughts on what was challenging, what surprised them, or what they enjoyed. This not only fosters a deeper understanding within the team, but also helps improve future performances.

Furthermore, these questions can help reinforce skills and behaviors that were beneficial during the game. By identifying effective strategies and behaviors, they can be consciously applied to real-world tasks and situations.

1. What was the most challenging part of the game for you? - This question encourages participants to think about areas they found difficult and may want to further develop.
2. How did your team make decisions during the game? - This can help the group analyze their decision-making process, supporting future improvements in teamwork.
3. What did you learn about your teammates during the activity? - This question aims to foster better understanding and empathy among team members.
4. What would you do differently if you played the game again? - This question invites reflection on lessons learnt and how to apply them in future scenarios.
5. What strategies worked well in improving your world? - By identifying successful strategies, the team can replicate these tactics in future tasks or activities.

Which skills does A Better Place build?

• Creativity - Creativity skills can greatly enhance icebreakers and team building by allowing participants to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions and ideas. This promotes collaboration, boosts morale, and fosters a positive and innovative environment within a team.
• Problem-solving - Problem-solving skills are essential for icebreakers and team building as they help break down barriers, foster creativity, and encourage collaboration, resulting in stronger relationships and more effective problem-solving within the team.
• Communication - Communication skills are essential for icebreakers and team building because they facilitate effective and open dialogue, allowing team members to connect and understand each other better, which leads to improved collaboration and problem-solving.
• Listening - Listening skills in icebreakers and team building promote effective communication, understanding, and empathy among participants, fostering a positive and cohesive team dynamic.

Tips for inclusivity

Being inclusive in the A Better Place game is crucial for fostering an inspiring and balanced environment. Including everyone’s ideas, perspectives, and experience can lead to more creative and holistic solutions. Also, when everyone feels heard and respected, it bolsters team morale and unity. Let’s ensure everyone's voice is heard to truly build a 'better place'.

• Ensure an equal voice to all: Encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts. No idea is too small or far-fetched in brainstorming a better world.
• Diversity is key: Include diverse roles, tasks, and ideas to have a more comprehensive outlook on our better world. Everyone has unique strengths to bring to the table.
• Respectful Listening: Give due respect to the person speaking and attentively listen to what they have to say. Avoid interrupting or overpowering others.
• Pause time: Give quiet members a chance to open up by implementing short pauses during the game. Not everyone thinks at the same pace or feels comfortable jumping in.