The forced choice activity can be facilitated during training and working meetings to better understand the viewpoints of your group about a particular topic. I learned this engagement from Mark Smith*, CEO of Leadership Resource Institute and author of The Distinctive Leader, when we co-facilitated his Distinctive Leadership course.
Mark and I used the activity to drive home the importance of candor during a session. Because the questions focused on how willing the participants were to be candid while giving and receiving feedback, it emphasized the expectation of the participants to challenge ideas, be authentic and coach each other. The result was a group of leaders willing to play full-on from the very beginning of the day. It was a powerful way to set the tone and start the session.
You can modify the questions to make them relevant and useful for your workshop or meeting.
1. Ask a forced choice question with 3-4 answers. (See examples below.)
2. Tell them if they agree with “Answer A” to stand in the front right corner of the room. If they agree with “Answer B” to stand in the left front corner of the room. If they agree with “Answer C” to stand in the left back corner of the room, etc.
3. Give them 30 seconds to move to the corner that coincides with their answer.
4. Ask the people in each corner to pair off with one (and only one other person) in their area and to tell their partner why they chose that corner. Tell them to listen closely because you will be asking them what they heard during the debrief, not what they said. Give them about 2 minutes to talk to their partners.
5. To debrief, go around to each corner and ask for 1 or 2 people to share what they heard from their partner. As they do, remain objective and open to their reasons. There is no right or wrong answer and there should be no shame or judgment no matter where they stand.
6. Repeat the process using a second question (if desired).
A. How willing are you to be candid in giving feedback and open to receiving feedback?
B. How do you feel about being in this course?
*Mark S. Smith uses his many talents as a professional facilitator, executive coach, change agent, and organizational development consultant to work with leaders to position their organizations for long-term success. Mark’s book Distinctive Leadership can be purchased at: bit.ly/52lessons
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2 Comments
This is a great exercise and thank you so much for sharing, Leigh Ann!
My pleasure Gerri – I love that it is so adaptable.