Half Silent Conversations
OVERVIEW
Half Silent Conversations is an improv game used to underline a simple truth about communication, you are never able to be in control of more than fifty percent of a conversation. Often included in workshops focused on:
Collaboration
Communication
Leadership
Team Building
REQUIREMENTS
Number of Participants:
Minimum: 4 participants / Maximum: 20+ participants
Time Required:
Minimum: 10 minutes / Maximum: 20 minutes
Materials Needed:
None
EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all participants into pairs randomly. Explain that each pair will have two conversations in which one participant will speak while the other is silent. Participants should switch who is silent and who is speaking between conversations.
Explain that while one person speaking, both people will be communicating during the entire conversation. The conversations will be held concurrently, just as they are in Yes And Conversations.
The speaking person should be asked to spend as much time in silence as they do spoeaking so they can practice listening for nonverbal communication and perhaps even more importantly, giving equal space in a conversation.
The person who is silent in the conversation should be asked to communicate their thoughts throughout the conversation non verbally. Point out that how you react to a verbal idea says a lot. Challenge people in this position to try their hardest to communicate their full ideas nonverbally when their speaking partner gives them space.
Start these conversations off with a suggested topic to make it easier to get started, such as WHAT TO HAVE FOR LUNCH or FAVORITE SPORT AND WHY. Once the first conversation has been going for three minutes, stop the conversation and reset switching who speaks and who is silent. Give a new topic for the second conversation.
Once the conversations are over ask the room for examples of good communication in their copnversations. Do the same for moments they found most challenging.
It is a good idea to do a sample conversation or two in front of everyone so that you can offer direct notes that everyone can learn from. You can hold these conversations before or after the larger workshop engages in concurrent conversations.
INSTRUCTOR DISCUSSION POINTS / LEARNING TAKEAWAYS
COLLABORATION
It can seem duplicative, but if working on collaboration it is useful to remind people that communication is really opne of the most important forms of collaboration. After all, when communicating a message, both parties succeed or fail together, there is no way to successfully communicate a message your partner doesn't understand.
How does listening affect your ability to communicate? How does providing space for your conversation to communicate help?
COMMUNICATION
People overspeak when they are trying to control a situation or conversation. They think that by speaking they are in control. This is not true.
The most of a communication any one person can control is fifty percent. The other fifty percent or more is controlled by the people a message is being sent to, even if they aren't speaking. Listening for their reaction, both verbally and nonverbally is therefore very important.
Speaking too much in a conversation, dominating a conversation can create resentment and resistance to listening. So while you can never control more than fifty percent of a conversation, you can ruin your chances of communicating by over speaking.
LEADERSHIP
Leaders don't just direct, they need to be in communication with those they lead. If you aren't, how can you assess if your direction is effective? Practicing listening or creating space for a response is critical talent for leaders.