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Who said that?

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Team Building Activity: Who said that?

Team Building Activity: Who Said That?

Category: Team Building Time: ~15 minutes Focus: Leadership • Reflection • Icebreaker

Overview

A fast, engaging warm‑up using famous quotes from leaders and thinkers. Participants guess the speaker, discuss the message, and link insights to leadership and teamwork. Works well at the start of a workshop or between modules.

Tools/items needed

  • A prepared list of 8–10 quotes (leadership, success, teamwork)
  • A separate list of speaker names (printed or on slides)

Ready-to-use quotes (10)

Facilitator note: read the quote without the name first. Keep speakers hidden until the reveal.

  1. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” — Steve Jobs
  2. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” — Henry Ford
  3. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
  4. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek
  5. “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” — Peter Drucker
  6. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
  7. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney
  8. “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower
  9. “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” — Phil Jackson
  10. “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent van Gogh

Directions

  1. Show a quote: Present one quote without the speaker’s name.
  2. Guess & discuss: Invite guesses and a quick discussion on the meaning.
  3. Reveal options: Share a list of possible names; have teams/individuals match quote to speaker.
  4. Confirm: Reveal the answer; capture a one‑line takeaway from the group.
  5. Repeat: Continue for all quotes.
Facilitator prompts
  • “What leadership value shows up here?”
  • “Where might this idea help our team this quarter?”
  • “What’s an example from your last project?”
  • “What would you challenge or add to this quote?”

Learning objectives

  • Warm up the group and spark thoughtful dialogue.
  • Introduce ideas tied to leadership and teamwork.
  • Surface shared values through reflection and interaction.

Alternative activities

Quote Match Relay

Split into teams. Place quote cards on one side and name cards on the other. Teams race to make correct matches.

Make Your Own Quote

After the round, ask everyone to write a short original quote (anonymous). Read them out and vote for the most useful or original.

Suggestions to enhance usefulness

  • Add context: Offer a one‑line story about the speaker or moment.
  • Make it collaborative: Use table teams, not just individuals.
  • Use multimedia: Show a slide or brief clip of the speaker when you reveal the answer.
  • Align to goals: Select quotes that map to your session outcomes or values.
  • Follow‑ups: Share a reading/viewing list after the session.

Debrief & reflection

  • Which quote surprised you? Why?
  • Which quote best fits our current challenges?
  • What action could we take based on one quote today?

Virtual adaptations

  • Use slides or chat to display quotes; collect guesses via polls.
  • Breakout rooms for small‑team matching; report back with answers and takeaways.
  • Drop links to short videos of the speakers after each reveal.
  • Building High‑Performing Teams – teamwork, collaboration, cohesion. View package →
  • Communicating with Clarity & Impact – clearer, faster alignment. View package →
  • Negotiating for Results – influence and agreement. View package →

Free assessment tools & quizzes

FAQ

How many participants?

Any size. For 20+, use table teams for matching and scorekeeping.

How many quotes?

8–10 is ideal for a 15‑minute slot. Add more for longer sessions.

Where do we source quotes?

Use reputable collections or the speakers’ official works. Verify attribution before printing.

Scoring?

+1 for each correct match per team. Bonus +1 for the best practical takeaway.

Remote option?

Yes—use slides, polls, and breakout rooms. Share answers and a short clip of the speaker after each reveal.

Get started today

Kick‑off your leadership session with a quick, thoughtful icebreaker.

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