Time

30 Minutes

Tools/Items Required

• Chairs (One per participant)

Set Up

Have each attendee place their chair randomly around the room. All tables should be removed to provide open space. Ensure chairs point in different directions and someone is seated on each one. (see example image below)

Instructions:

• Ask for a volunteer to stand up and slowly walk back to their empty chair.
• If their chair is taken, they may move to the next available empty chair.
• The role of other participants is to prevent the volunteer from sitting down by following the movement rules below.

Rules

• Only one person may stand and move at a time.
• No participant may make two consecutive moves.
• You cannot return to the chair you just left.
• Talking is not allowed once the exercise begins.
• No one may touch the volunteer.

Teams get 2 minutes to prepare a strategy before each round begins. After each round, debrief and repeat with a new volunteer. Ensure the volunteer walks slowly during the exercise.

Discussion Questions

• Do you need a leader?
• What was difficult about planning with many participants?
• Did everyone agree on the plan?
• Was the plan clear to all participants?
• Did a leader naturally emerge during planning?
• What would make planning and execution easier?

Key Learning

This activity reinforces that a leader often emerges in group settings when there is a need for coordination and alignment. Teams learn the importance of strategic planning, consensus building, and following through on a shared strategy with the support of effective leadership.