Discover the Ultimate Team-Building Game: Common Ground Will Unite Your Group in Unforgettable Ways!

What is Common Ground?

The Common Ground icebreaker activity is a great way to get to know each other in a group setting. To play, each person shares three things about themselves: two things that are true and one thing that is not. Then, everyone else in the group has to guess which statement is the lie.

The goals of the activity are to break the ice and create connections between group members. It’s also a fun way to learn more about the people you’re working or socializing with.

This activity can be played in a variety of settings, such as team-building events, orientation sessions, or networking events. However, it’s not appropriate for all situations. For instance, if the group is very large, it may take too much time to get through everyone’s turn. Also, if confidentiality is a concern, this activity may not be appropriate.

To make this icebreaker more fun, encourage participants to get creative with their statements! The more outrageous the lie, the harder it will be for others to guess. And don’t forget to keep things light-hearted and positive – the purpose is to have fun and get to know each other, not to embarrass or humiliate anyone.
Overall, the Common Ground icebreaker is a simple yet effective way to bring people together and build relationships.

Materials needed for Common Ground

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

How to play Common Ground

• Gather the group: Bring everyone together in a circle or a comfortable seating arrangement.
• Explain the objective: Let everyone know that the objective of the Common Ground icebreaker is to find common interests or experiences with others in the group.
• Start with an example: Give an example to demonstrate how the activity works. For instance, you could say, 'I love hiking. Who else here loves hiking?'
• Encourage participants to share: Ask participants to take turns sharing something they enjoy or have in common with others. They can also respond to someone else's statement if they share the same interest or experience.
• Keep the conversation going: As the facilitator, encourage participants to ask follow-up questions or share similar experiences to keep the conversation flowing. This helps build connections between individuals.
• Continue until everyone has shared: Ensure that each person gets a chance to share something and that the conversation continues until everyone has had an opportunity to participate.
• Wrap up the activity: Thank everyone for sharing their interests and experiences. You can also use this as an opportunity to transition into the next activity or discussion topic.

Benefits of Common Ground

Team building activities are far more than just fun and games. They pack a punch when it comes to the range of benefits they can deliver. Some of the benefits of Common Ground include:

• Breaks the Ice: Common Ground is an excellent way to get to know people quickly. It helps to break the ice and create a relaxed atmosphere.
• Encourages Communication: This activity promotes open communication, which encourages people to share their thoughts and ideas freely.
• Improves Teamwork: Common Ground helps to build strong relationships among team members and fosters an environment of trust and cooperation.
• Boosts Creativity: By encouraging people to brainstorm ideas and think outside the box, Common Ground can help to boost creativity.
• Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: This activity challenges people to find common ground and compromises when they may have differing opinions. It helps to develop effective problem-solving skills.
• Increases Empathy: Common Ground helps to promote empathy and understanding among people, which is crucial for building strong relationships.
• Fun and Engaging: Playing Common Ground is a fun and engaging way to get people involved and interested in team-building activities.

Why we like Common Ground

We love Common Ground because it's a great way to break the ice and get to know people better. It's a fun and lighthearted game that encourages players to find commonalities and similarities, and to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of each other.

Reflection questions for Common Ground

Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Common Ground.

1. What did you learn about your group members during the activity?
   This question is meant to prompt participants to reflect on what they learned about their colleagues during the Common Ground icebreaker activity. It encourages them to think about the similarities and differences they share with others and to appreciate the diversity in the group.
2. What surprised you during the activity?
   This question is designed to get participants thinking about unexpected moments during the activity. It can be used to prompt discussion about unexpected similarities or differences between participants, or to encourage conversation about unexpected insights that arose during the activity.
3. How did the activity change your perception of your group members?
   This question can be used to prompt reflection on how the Common Ground activity affected participants' relationships with their colleagues. It encourages them to identify any shifts in their thinking or perceptions and to think about how they might approach future interactions differently as a result.
4. What was the most challenging part of the activity for you?
   This question can be used to prompt participants to reflect on any obstacles or difficulties they encountered during the Common Ground activity. It encourages them to think about how they overcame these challenges and what they learned from the experience.
5. What did you enjoy most about the activity?
   This question is meant to prompt participants to share their positive experiences during the Common Ground activity. It encourages them to identify moments of connection or enjoyment and to reflect on how these moments can be replicated in future interactions with their colleagues.

Which skills does Common Ground build?

• 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.
• Empathy - Empathy skills are incredibly valuable for icebreakers and team building because they help create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and understood, fostering stronger connections and collaboration among team members.
• Listening - Listening skills in icebreakers and team building promote effective communication, understanding, and empathy among participants, fostering a positive and cohesive team dynamic.
• Self-disclosure - Self-disclosure skills in icebreakers and team building allow participants to build trust, create meaningful connections, and foster a comfortable and open atmosphere where individuals feel safe to share and collaborate effectively.