Rearrange the Classroom
(Change)
Time Allowance: 30 Minutes
Equipment Needed: Podium, Flip Chart
1. Prior to class, set the desks up in the old "traditional" classroom row style. Except, that you should set your stage (podium, flip chart, etc.) in the back of the class. Start your presentation (you will be behind the, facing their backs). Explain to them that this is how a lot of change is implemented in organizations. The leaders get behind their employees and attempt to "push" them into change. And the attempt to change is about as successful as trying to conduct a class this way.2. Also, point out that this is how a lot of traditional organizations are set up, in nice even rows (departments), where it is hard to communicate and learn from each other. But, real teams develop when we break out of our boxes and design organizations that have cross functional teams working with each other. Ask them to rearrange the room so that real learning, communication, and teamwork can take place. Depending upon your learners, you might have to give them a few pointers to get started, but then get out of the way.
3. During the next break or after lunch, have them rearrange the room again, using some of the techniques that they learned. This can be repeated several more times, depending upon the length of the presentation. But, each time they change the setting, it needs to reinforce something that they previously learned. (WARNING: Do not attempt this activity in a theater-like setting where the seats are bolted to the floor!)