What is Where Do You Stand?
Have you ever been in a group where you don't know anyone? Or maybe there's some tension in the room that needs to be addressed? That's where the icebreaker activity "Where Do You Stand" comes in! It's a fun and interactive way to get to know each other and start building relationships.
To play, first, a statement is read aloud, such as "I believe pizza is the best food." Then, everyone stands in a line with one end of the room representing "strongly agree" and the other end representing "strongly disagree." Participants then move along the line to represent how much they agree or disagree with the statement. Once everyone is in place, individuals can share why they stand where they do and have a discussion about the topic.
The goal of this activity is to spark conversation and encourage participants to share their opinions and perspectives in a non-confrontational way. It's a great way to break down barriers and build trust within a group.
It should be played in a safe and comfortable environment where everyone feels respected and heard. It may not be suitable for groups with strong political or religious differences as it may lead to arguments or discomfort.
To make the activity more fun, try picking out statements that are lighthearted or relatable to the group. You can also encourage participants to switch places with each other and try to persuade others to move to a different spot. Just remember to keep it light-hearted and respectful.
Overall, "Where Do You Stand" is a great icebreaker activity to help bring people together and start building a strong foundation of trust and communication. So, next time you're in a group and need to break the ice, give it a try!
Materials needed for Where Do You Stand
- 2 Signs indicating 'Agree' and 'Disagree' ()
How to play Where Do You Stand
- Gather everyone in a circle: Have all the participants form a circle either standing or sitting.
- Issue a statement: The facilitator should come up with a series of statements starting with 'Where do you stand if...' For example, 'Where do you stand if you prefer cats over dogs?'
- Choose sides: After each statement, participants should move to one side of the circle if they agree with the statement or the other side if they disagree or remain neutral based on their preferences.
- Discuss: Encourage participants to share their reasons for standing on a particular side of the circle. This can spark conversation and help people get to know each other better.
- Repeat with new statements: Continue issuing new statements and allowing participants to choose sides. Feel free to tailor the statements to the specific group or event to keep the icebreaker engaging.
- Wrap up: After several rounds, conclude the icebreaker activity by thanking everyone for participating and facilitating a smooth transition into the main event or next activity.
Benefits of Where Do You Stand
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 Where Do You Stand include:
- Break the ice: Where Do You Stand activity helps to break the ice between team members, especially when they are new to each other. It gives them a comfortable environment for sharing their opinions.
- Team building: By making people stand in different positions based on their opinions, it promotes team building, as everyone is required to actively listen to each other.
- Identify similarities: This activity enables team members to identify shared beliefs and interests which enhances the sense of team spirit.
- Discover differences: It provides an opportunity for team members to learn about each other's differences in opinions, perspectives or experiences, which promotes a more inclusive and diverse team environment.
- Fun and engaging: Where Do You Stand activity is not only insightful but also fun and engaging. It adds a bit of excitement and energy to team events, conferences or workshops, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who participates.
Why we like Where Do You Stand
We like this game because it fosters conversation and encourages players to share their thoughts and feelings in a safe and respectful environment.
Reflection questions for Where Do You Stand
Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Where Do You Stand.
- What surprised you the most about the activity? This question encourages self-reflection on any unexpected thoughts or revelations during the icebreaker.
- What did you learn about yourself? This question prompts introspection on personal values and beliefs that were revealed during the activity.
- How did you feel while participating in the activity? This question invites contemplation on emotions felt during the icebreaker, such as discomfort, surprise, or agreement.
- Did this activity change the way you think about others? This question promotes reflection on the impact of the icebreaker on perceptions of others.
- What did you notice about the diversity of opinions in the group? This question encourages evaluation of the range of perspectives presented during the activity and how they relate to one's own opinions.
Which skills does Where Do You Stand build?
- Self-reflection - Self-reflection skills are valuable in icebreakers and team building because they allow individuals to gain self-awareness, identify strengths and weaknesses, and foster personal growth, leading to stronger connections and more effective teamwork.
- 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.
- Opinion forming - Opinion forming skills are great for icebreakers and team building because they encourage individuals to share their thoughts and perspectives, fostering open communication and collaboration among team members. They also help create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone's opinions are valued, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving within the team.
- 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.