Pair Draw
This activity explores the difference between working alone and collaborating, highlighting the unique synergies that emerge when two people create a single image together. In this variant, participants first draw a concept individually, then join a partner to co-create a new drawing—making the benefits of teamwork and communication tangible.
Rationale
This activity is built on the principle of experiential learning, designed to make the abstract concept of "shared understanding" and team synergy tangible. The sharp contrast between the two rounds demonstrates a critical lesson in collaboration: working alone often leads to limited perspectives, while collaboration can unlock creativity, alignment, and better results.
- Round 1 (Solo): Each participant draws the assigned concept alone. This highlights individual assumptions, styles, and limitations.
- Round 2 (Pair Collaboration): Pairs work together on a single drawing, discussing and planning as they go. This round showcases the clarity, creativity, and synergy that emerge from open communication and joint effort.
By experiencing this contrast directly, participants internalize the value of collaboration and clear communication far more effectively than they would through a lecture or theoretical discussion.
Facilitator Guide
This section provides a complete guide for preparing and running the Pair Draw activity.
- Optimal Group Size: 4 to 20 participants (to form 2-10 pairs).
- Estimated Timing: 25-30 minutes
- Setup & Explanation: 5 minutes
- Drawing Round 1 (Solo): 5 minutes
- Drawing Round 2 (Pair Collaboration): 5 minutes
- Debrief: 10-15 minutes
Preparation Checklist
- Prepare a list of simple, abstract concepts for participants to draw (e.g., "success," "a strong team," "customer delight," "innovation," "a fun meeting"). You will need one concept for each round.
- Arrange the room to allow pairs to sit comfortably together with a shared writing surface.
- Place one sheet of paper and one pen/marker for each participant for Round 1, and one sheet per pair for Round 2.
Implementation Steps
- Distribute materials for Round 1. Give each participant a single sheet of paper and a pen or marker.
- Explain Round 1 (Solo): Announce the rules for the first round. Say: "You will each draw the assigned concept on your own, without talking to anyone. You have 3-5 minutes."
- Announce the First Concept. For example: "The first concept you will draw is [Concept 1, e.g., 'a strong team']."
- Begin Round 1. Start a timer for 3-5 minutes.
- End Round 1. Ask participants to hold up their drawings for everyone to see.
- Form pairs for Round 2. Arrange participants into pairs.
- Distribute materials for Round 2. Give each pair a fresh sheet of paper and a pen or marker.
- Explain Round 2 (Pair Collaboration): Announce the rules for the second round. Say: "Now, you and your partner will draw a new concept together on a single sheet of paper. You are encouraged to talk, plan, and collaborate as much as you like."
- Announce the Second Concept. For example: "The new concept is [Concept 2, e.g., 'customer delight']."
- Begin Round 2. Start a timer for 3-5 minutes.
- End Round 2. Ask pairs to hold up their new drawings for comparison.
- Initiate the Debrief. Gather the group's attention for the debriefing discussion.
Common Challenges and Solutions
| Challenge | Proposed Solution |
|---|---|
| One person dominates the drawing in Round 2. | Let this happen. It is a valuable data point to bring up during the debrief. Ask: "How did you negotiate control of the pen?" |
| Participants express frustration in Round 1. | Reassure them that this is a normal and expected part of the activity. Their frustration is key to the learning process. |
| The drawings are very abstract or unclear. | This is a success! The lack of clarity in the solo round is the entire point. Contrast this with the likely clearer drawings from the collaborative round. |
Materials
Required Materials
- Paper: One sheet per participant for Round 1, one sheet per pair for Round 2.
- Pens or Markers: One per participant for Round 1, one per pair for Round 2.
- List of Drawing Concepts: A prepared list of abstract nouns relevant to your team's work.
Optional Materials
- Timer or stopwatch.
- Whiteboard or Flipchart to write down the rules and drawing concepts for all to see.
Debriefing & Follow-up
The debrief is the most critical part of this activity. Guide the conversation to connect the experience to their daily work.
Debriefing Questions
- "What was the experience of drawing alone like? What emotions did you feel during Round 1?"
- "How did your approach and the final drawing change between Round 1 and Round 2?"
- "What new ideas or improvements emerged when you worked as a pair?"
- "Which round felt more successful or easier? Why?"
- Connecting to work: "When in our projects do we operate like it's Round 1, working in isolation instead of collaborating?"
- Connecting to work: "What can we do to make sure our important projects benefit from the synergies of teamwork and open communication?"
After the Workshop
- Observe if team members are more collaborative and explicit in their communication in subsequent meetings.
- You can refer back to the activity in future discussions by asking, "Are we in Round 1 or Round 2 on this topic right now?"