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Communication Origami

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Communication origami

Communication Origami

This hands-on communication game demonstrates how easily verbal instructions can be misunderstood — especially when details are vague or feedback is missing. It’s a fun way to explore clarity, listening, and the gap between what we say and what others hear.

Purpose

To show how communication breakdowns occur and how small gaps in clarity, feedback, or language can affect task outcomes. Also useful for highlighting how assumptions influence interpretation.

What You’ll Need

  • 1 sheet of A4 or letter-sized paper per participant
  • Optional: A blindfold for added challenge (if safe and appropriate)

How to Run the Activity

  1. Have participants sit where they cannot see each other — no peeking allowed. Tables or chairs with backs turned work well.
  2. Ask everyone to close their eyes or place paper behind their backs. The goal is for them to rely only on your instructions.
  3. Tell the group they will follow your exact directions to fold their paper — but they are not allowed to ask questions or seek clarification.
  4. Give a series of 5–8 verbal folding steps. For example: “Fold the paper in half from left to right,” “Tear off the bottom right corner,” etc.
  5. Once all steps are complete, ask participants to open their eyes and compare their results with one another.

Debrief & Discussion

  • How similar were your final shapes?
  • Where did things start to go off track?
  • What made the instructions confusing or unclear?
  • How could this activity relate to communication at work?
  • What role does feedback play in communication clarity?

Trainer Tips

  • Test the folding instructions in advance — some steps may be interpreted in very different ways.
  • Make sure instructions are intentionally ambiguous to highlight the learning point — but not too confusing.
  • Re-run the activity with a second round where participants are allowed to ask questions — compare the difference.

Optional Variations

  • Partner Version: One person gives instructions, the other folds. Partners sit back-to-back so they can’t see each other.
  • Virtual Format: Run the activity over Zoom or Teams with cameras off. Participants fold and then hold their paper up to compare at the end.

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