Bugs and Buzzes

BUGS & BUZZES – an ice-breaker exercise for a group meeting. 

 What it does

 This is a great warm-up exercise for the beginning of a group meeting. It can also be used in a one-to-one situation.

 In a group, it will change the atmosphere in the room and create a co-operative energy to prepare for the business of the meeting.

 How to play it

 The exercise is done in two rounds. For the first round, each person takes it in turns to describe something which is really annoying, something which ‘bugs’ them. It can be in any context, although it is helpful if it is in the relevant to the context. There is no judgement of that ‘bug’ – but the rest of the group has the opportunity to contribute with comments or suggestions for overcoming the ‘bug’.

 In the second round of the exercise, each person describes something which gives them a real ‘buzz’. Again, others can contribute and add comments.

 How it works

 The first round gives each person an opportunity to describe something which is causing problems in the daily work. There is also an opportunity to create a shared approach to problem solving. It also gives air-space to issues which might otherwise be considered too trivial to raise.

 In the second round, the focus on positive things which make each of us buzz, helps to create an environment of appreciative involvement.