Objective

To differentiate between true and false statements relating to others. 

Time Required

Ten minutes.

Group Size

Ten to fifty participants, who will work in rotating pairs.

Materials

Five toothpicks for each participant.

Preparation

None.

Process

1.  Distribute five toothpicks to each participant.

2.  Explain that the goal of this productivity is to collect as many toothpicks as possibly by using the power of perception.

3.  Explain that each participant is to challenge another person to disclose some piece of information about himself or herself.  The challenger will then determine whether the information that is given is true or false.  If the challenger guesses correctly, he or she takes one toothpick from the challenger.  Once this exchange has taken place, the roles are reversed with the current partner, then new partners are chosen and the process continues until time is called.

4.  Announce that the activity is to begin.  Allow five to ten minutes to elapse before calling time.

5.  Determine who has the most toothpicks and provide a prize to this "most perceptive" participant.

Discussion

• Was this task difficult?  Why or why not?

• How does perception affect an individual?s view of the world?

• What impact does perception have in the workplace?

Energize Your Audience! by Lorraine L. Ukens.  Copyright 2000 by Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, San Francisco, CA.