The guessing game

Objective:

This activity aims to illustrate the distinction between closed and open-ended questions, emphasizing their respective advantages in communication.

Instructions for Trainer:

Preparation:

Divide the participants into two equal groups or teams.

Briefly explain the concept of closed and open-ended questions.

Conducting the Activity:

Select one representative from each team to temporarily leave the room.

While outside, the chosen representatives should think of a common business object found in an office (e.g., stapler, printer).

Questioning Round:

When the representatives return to their teams, instruct the teams to ask only closed-ended questions to determine the chosen object. Remind them that closed-ended questions can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”

Winning Round:

The team that correctly identifies the object wins the round and can proceed to another round if desired.

Debrief and Discussion:

After several rounds, conclude the activity.

Prompt a discussion with the following questions:

“What if we had only one question to ask to identify the object quickly?”

Allow participants to realize that an open-ended question like “What is the object?” would efficiently serve this purpose.

Highlight the Importance:

Emphasize that open-ended questions are valuable tools for obtaining information swiftly, while closed questions can be useful for clarification or managing conversations.

Closing Remarks:

Conclude the activity by summarizing the significance of utilizing both closed and open-ended questions in various communication scenarios.

Note: This activity provides a practical demonstration of the effectiveness of closed and open-ended questions, encouraging participants to recognize their respective strengths in communication.