I finally programmed time to lead this challenge with a group of 23 adults. It was a group of people who regularly connect so they knew each other’s names and they had established a comfortable level of trust with each other (I asked about this during the needs assessment).
Short Version: (published at FUNdoing, June 2014)
Move everyone together into a close-together clump (graphic on the left). Ask them to put their bumpers up and close their eyes. Challenge them to get into a square without opening their eyes (get to the graphic on their right).
Long Version – Behind the Scenes:
One of the objectives of this group was to explore communication behaviors. They wanted to confirm which behaviors were working for them, which ones they could improve upon, and which ones they were missing. I thought that Human Square would help with detailed communication, purposefully checking in with each other, and the importance of listening.
Midway through the experiences of a three-hour program, I asked everyone to find some personal space, and be close enough to each other so if they reached out, they could touch the people around them on the shoulders (graphic above left). Then we all practiced the art of ‘bumpers up.’ This is where our hands are up in front of us, elbows are slightly bent, and palms are open with our fingers are pointing to the sky and thumbs are touching. This position gives us a little safety cushion when we are walking around in tight spaces with other people (especially when our eyes are closed – after bumpers up practice).
Short Version: (published at FUNdoing, June 2014)
Move everyone together into a close-together clump (graphic on the left). Ask them to put their bumpers up and close their eyes. Challenge them to get into a square without opening their eyes (get to the graphic on their right).
Long Version – Behind the Scenes:
One of the objectives of this group was to explore communication behaviors. They wanted to confirm which behaviors were working for them, which ones they could improve upon, and which ones they were missing. I thought that Human Square would help with detailed communication, purposefully checking in with each other, and the importance of listening.
Midway through the experiences of a three-hour program, I asked everyone to find some personal space, and be close enough to each other so if they reached out, they could touch the people around them on the shoulders (graphic above left). Then we all practiced the art of ‘bumpers up.’ This is where our hands are up in front of us, elbows are slightly bent, and palms are open with our fingers are pointing to the sky and thumbs are touching. This position gives us a little safety cushion when we are walking around in tight spaces with other people (especially when our eyes are closed – after bumpers up practice).
First, we mingled (I was in the crowd modelling some behaviors) with eyes open, around the activity area for about a minute saying hello to each other as we bumped bumpers and shoulders from time to time. I asked everyone to stop, shake out their hands and arms, and then put their bumpers back up. Then, I asked them to close their eyes and mingle around the group again. This time, being more purposeful with their movements and their traveling speed – slow.
During this part of the practice, I had my eyes open watching the group’s behaviors and reactions and turning people back into the group (e.g., calling their name or using my bumpers to turn them) for more practice. After another minute I stopped everyone, had them open their eyes and shake it out. For the most part they ended up staying physically close to each other, so I was ready to introduce them to the Human Square challenge.
The Challenge: Starting from where everyone was standing, I asked them to bring their bumpers back up, thumbs touching……and close their eyes again. Then, I told them the challenge: “Now, I’d like you to move yourselves into a square formation – four straight sides of approximately equal length – without opening your eyes.” I paused for some dramatic effect and to notice (look and listen) for the participant’s reactions.
During this part of the practice, I had my eyes open watching the group’s behaviors and reactions and turning people back into the group (e.g., calling their name or using my bumpers to turn them) for more practice. After another minute I stopped everyone, had them open their eyes and shake it out. For the most part they ended up staying physically close to each other, so I was ready to introduce them to the Human Square challenge.
The Challenge: Starting from where everyone was standing, I asked them to bring their bumpers back up, thumbs touching……and close their eyes again. Then, I told them the challenge: “Now, I’d like you to move yourselves into a square formation – four straight sides of approximately equal length – without opening your eyes.” I paused for some dramatic effect and to notice (look and listen) for the participant’s reactions.
I then took some time to discuss the ‘moment’ we were in. Here’s the gist of what I said:
“Let’s take a short pause. Please open your eyes and lower your hands – shake them out a bit. Good. Let’s take a team breath. [We learned this at the beginning of the program.] Good. Now, some of you might have moved, figurativley, into a different zone of comfort when you heard what we’re about to attempt. Some of you might be ready to jump right into the challenge. [We learned about the comfort zones earlier as well.] I just wanted to take a moment to reflect. We’ve been working on some communication behaviors. What behaviors have been working for you? [We took time to discuss.] Okay. What communication behaviors haven’t been working for you, ones you’ve been starting to improve? [We took time here.] What communication behaviors do you think you will need for this next challenge? [We took time here.] So, you believe you can remember to use these behaviors to successfully move through the challenge? [Time for responses.] Knowing about the challenge, what other behaviors might you need to implement to support each other during the challenge? [Time for discussion.] Okay. Now that we have reviewed some helpful behaviors, where are you in the comfort zone levels? And if you are in the red zone, what might help you move to yellow? [Discussion here.] [NOTE: We didn’t have anyone identify themselves as being in the red, but we did have several yellows – they shared that the review helped to remind them they ‘had each other’s backs.’ It was inspiring to hear their comments.]
Before setting ourselves to start, I did remind them they had the choice to open their eyes if they needed to. However, if they opened their eyes they were required to stop moving and not speak. If they chose to close their eyes again, they could resume moving and speaking.
“Let’s take a short pause. Please open your eyes and lower your hands – shake them out a bit. Good. Let’s take a team breath. [We learned this at the beginning of the program.] Good. Now, some of you might have moved, figurativley, into a different zone of comfort when you heard what we’re about to attempt. Some of you might be ready to jump right into the challenge. [We learned about the comfort zones earlier as well.] I just wanted to take a moment to reflect. We’ve been working on some communication behaviors. What behaviors have been working for you? [We took time to discuss.] Okay. What communication behaviors haven’t been working for you, ones you’ve been starting to improve? [We took time here.] What communication behaviors do you think you will need for this next challenge? [We took time here.] So, you believe you can remember to use these behaviors to successfully move through the challenge? [Time for responses.] Knowing about the challenge, what other behaviors might you need to implement to support each other during the challenge? [Time for discussion.] Okay. Now that we have reviewed some helpful behaviors, where are you in the comfort zone levels? And if you are in the red zone, what might help you move to yellow? [Discussion here.] [NOTE: We didn’t have anyone identify themselves as being in the red, but we did have several yellows – they shared that the review helped to remind them they ‘had each other’s backs.’ It was inspiring to hear their comments.]
Before setting ourselves to start, I did remind them they had the choice to open their eyes if they needed to. However, if they opened their eyes they were required to stop moving and not speak. If they chose to close their eyes again, they could resume moving and speaking.
Ready! We set the bumpers up, closed eyes, and began. What I remember the most was the first verbal comment: “Does anyone have any ideas about this?” A bit of chaos began the adventure with people talking over each other, but they came up with a norm that helped. Someone stepped in to organize the comments, using names and taking turns. Eventually they formed four groups, each group linked arms into a circle then each opened into a line. Then, the ends of each line were identified and they organized themselves to connect by the ends.
I did step in to verbally share about being careful moving in their lines since some people did not have their bumpers up anymore – however, the ends of the lines did. Once they started, it took about 15 minutes for them to get into the square. (FYI: I was not allowed to share pictures of the process with this particular group. I’ll get some in the future.)
When they believed to be in their square, I asked them to open their eyes. After some celebration and the verbal release of comments and anectotes, we explored the questions we discussed before staring the challenge:
The Human Square, I felt, really helped to emphasize communication outcomes for this group. They collected data from their discussion on flip chart paper and planned to use this data as they worked on improving their interactions with each other.
As we all know, each group has a makeup of different participant’s preferences and persepectives. It’s up to us to make our best (educated) guess as to what experiences will help them reach their desired outcomes.
Thought Experiment: What are the factors that might have led this group (above) to a meaningful experience with Human Square?
Please leave your thoughts and ideas in the Comments.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
I did step in to verbally share about being careful moving in their lines since some people did not have their bumpers up anymore – however, the ends of the lines did. Once they started, it took about 15 minutes for them to get into the square. (FYI: I was not allowed to share pictures of the process with this particular group. I’ll get some in the future.)
When they believed to be in their square, I asked them to open their eyes. After some celebration and the verbal release of comments and anectotes, we explored the questions we discussed before staring the challenge:
- What communication behaviors were helpful?
- What communication behaviors did not work?
- And what was missing?
The Human Square, I felt, really helped to emphasize communication outcomes for this group. They collected data from their discussion on flip chart paper and planned to use this data as they worked on improving their interactions with each other.
As we all know, each group has a makeup of different participant’s preferences and persepectives. It’s up to us to make our best (educated) guess as to what experiences will help them reach their desired outcomes.
Thought Experiment: What are the factors that might have led this group (above) to a meaningful experience with Human Square?
Please leave your thoughts and ideas in the Comments.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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