The numbers field

Directions

1. Divide the group into two or three teams
2. Prepare in advance printed numbers from 1 to 50 on A5 size paper.
3. Lay the numbers randomly next to each other on the floor and surround them by creating a boundary using masking tape as per the figure below.
4. Using the masking tape, make two lines 9 feet on both sides from the numbers boundary which becomes the play field (see figure below)

Explain the ground rules of the game to teams as follows

– The winning team is the team that will touch all the numbers in sequence from lowest to highest in the shortest time possible.

–  Each team can have a first trial run just to get a feel of the game without calculating the time.

– On each run, timing starts as soon as the first team member enters the play field and stops when the last player exits the playing field.

– The numbers and borderlines cannot be moved or rearranged in any way.

– Each member in each team must touch at least one number.

– Once the trial run is over we will have three runs for each team where time will be recorded. The third run is the final run where the team with the lowest time will be declared the winning team.

Discussion points for trainer

– Go over the recorded times for each team, usually on the first runs the times are longer but teams tend to improve their time dramatically on the next two runs. You can discuss with each team what did they do differently after their first run to improve their timing. Did they distribute the tasks better or perhaps came up with a better plan highlighting the importance of planning to achieve goals in a shorter time.

– Ask teams about what they would do different if they were to do this activity again?

– In a sales setting, you can discuss with each team what tips can you share with each other to achieve sales quotas

– In a leadership setting, you may want to discuss what kind of support you can provide to your team members to ensure alignment and help them achieve required goals.

– In a manufacturing setting you can discuss how a process can be improved to increase production and quality.