Supplies:
A puzzle (100-200 pieces)
Activity:
Ahead of time, divide the puzzle into two sets and place in envelopes. When group members arrive, form two groups and give one set of the puzzle to each group. Don't tell anybody that each set is part of the other.
Tell the two groups: "You have five minutes to put your puzzle together." Don't give them any additional instructions. You will notice their tendency to work and compete as two separate groups. Most likely the groups will become frustrated. After five minutes, stop the groups from working on their puzzles.
Unpacking Questions:
- What was your strategy for solving your puzzle? Did it work?
- How did you feel when your group had difficulty? How did you react?
- Did you consider asking help from the other group to see how you could work together? Why or why not? (Let group members know that they were working on two parts of the same puzzle.)
- Why do you think we have a tendency to be competitive?
- How can a competitive drive be helpful? How can it hold us back?
- How can we change our tendency so we're more collaborative than competitive?
