Verbal Volleyball

Discipline: Communication Mastery

Game Overview: Verbal Volleyball is an engaging and interactive activity designed to enhance effective communication skills among team members. This game emphasizes clarity, precision, and teamwork, providing participants with practical experience in conveying and interpreting complex information. Through this challenging activity, teams will develop their ability to communicate effectively under pressure.

Duration: 20 minutes or less
You need a minimum of 7 employees to play

Objective

Master effective communication by accurately conveying complex information without visual aids.

How to Play:

  1. Designate 1-3 judge/s: Judges will score all final replications of the Verbal Volleyball ctivity using the criteria provided.

  2. Team Formation:

    • Teams: Form teams of 3-5 members.

    • Roles: Assign one team member the role of the communicator. The remaining members will be the replicators.

  3. Drawing/Diagram Description (10 Minutes):

    • Communicator: The communicator is given a complex drawing or diagram and must describe it to their team without showing it.

    • Timing: The communicator has 10 minutes to describe the drawing/diagram in detail.

    • Process:

      • The communicator starts describing the drawing/diagram while the replicators listen and ask clarifying questions if needed.

      • Replicators must accurately replicate the drawing/diagram based on the communicator’s instructions.

  4. Replication (10 Minutes):

    • Replicators: The replicators work together to recreate the drawing/diagram based solely on the communicator’s description.

    • Time Management: Teams have 10 minutes to complete their replication.

  5. Presentation and Comparison (2 Minutes):

    • Replicators: Each team presents their replicated drawing/diagram to the judges within 2 minutes or less.

    • Judges: Judges compare the replicated drawings/diagrams to the original and score based on the criteria provided.

Scoring Criteria:

Using a scale of 1-5, the judge/s will award points as follows:

  • Accuracy of the Replication:
    1: Replication is highly inaccurate and differs significantly from the original.
    2: Replication shows limited accuracy, with several noticeable differences.
    3: Replication is moderately accurate, with some differences from the original.
    4: Replication is accurate, with minor differences from the original.
    5: Replication is highly accurate and closely matches the original.

  • Clarity of Instructions:
    1: Instructions are unclear and difficult to follow.
    2: Instructions have some clear elements, but overall are confusing.
    3: Instructions are moderately clear, with some confusing elements.
    4: Instructions are clear and understandable, with minimal confusing elements.
    5: Instructions are exceptionally clear and easy to follow, free of confusion.

  • Teamwork:
    1: Teamwork is poor, with minimal collaboration.
    2: Teamwork shows limited collaboration, with some cooperative elements.
    3: Teamwork is moderately collaborative, with several cooperative elements.
    4: Teamwork is collaborative and cooperative, with minor improvements needed.
    5: Teamwork is highly collaborative and cooperative, with strong engagement.

Additional Tips:

  • Effective Communication: The communicator should clearly state their instructions and ensure they are easily understood by the replicators. Avoid jargon and complicated language to keep the instructions accessible and understandable.

  • Active Listening: Replicators should pay close attention to the communicator’s instructions and ask clarifying questions to ensure accuracy.

  • Time Management: Keep track of time using a timer. The communicator should practice delivering their instructions concisely within the allotted time.

  • Focus on Key Details: Avoid getting bogged down in minor details. Focus on the core elements of the drawing/diagram that are crucial for accurate replication.

  • Encourage Collaboration: Replicators should work together and support each other in the replication process. A collaborative approach is more likely to result in an accurate replication.

  • Stay Positive and Supportive: Foster a positive environment where all team members feel comfortable asking questions and providing feedback. Constructive communication is key to effective replication.

Example:

Team A’s Verbal Volleyball:

  • Communicator (Joe): "The drawing is a house with a triangular roof, two windows on each side, a door in the middle, and a chimney on the right side."

  • Replicators (Mary, Quinn, Igor): "Can you describe the windows in more detail?"

  • Alex: "Sure, the windows are square-shaped, each divided into four smaller squares."

Replicators: "Got it, let's make sure we include all these details."