Influence and Persuasion Icebreakers and Energisers

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants learn something about their fellow participants, including something about what is important to them.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size. Larger groups will mean longer running times.

You'll Need:
Nothing.

Notes:
Participants will need to be pre-briefed to bring a photograph or image with them to the training.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants identify things they have in common with one another.
• To show the benefits of building rapport to create effective working relationships.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Bingo cards. (We've provided some.)
• A small prize for the winning participant is a nice touch, but not essential.

Notes:
We have provided pre-prepared bingo cards, but feel free to adapt them to meet the specific needs of your participants.

Time:
This exercise will take about 25 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To welcome the participants.
• To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other.
• To introduce the facilities.
• To agree the course objectives and timetable.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
Nothing, other than the materials provided.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To allow participants to explore how they feel about their ability to persuade and influence others, and how they'd like to feel at the end of the training.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Blank sheets of A4 paper.
• Pens/pencils with which to draw.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify things participants have in common with each other.
• To explore the impact on relationships of finding common ground.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• A small prize for the pair who discover the most unusual connection.

Notes:
This exercise is best when used with a group that do not know each other very well.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 40 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To help participants understand the impact of their behaviours on others and the part they can play in developing and improving difficult relationships at work.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Everyone who interacts with others at work.

You'll Need:
• 2 different colour pens for each participant (to complete the handout).

Notes:
A great exercise to demonstrate our role in conflict with others. It’s designed to help anyone reflect on how to improve their workplace relationships, not just those who are in conflict. It is also a useful addition to Emotional Intelligence training.

We do recommend that you practice reading Flenda’s Tale aloud a couple of times before using this exercise.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand the interests and priorities of fellow participants.
• To identify the benefits of getting to know those we interact with at work.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Running times will increase with larger groups.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To get participants talking and using some of the fundamental skills of information gathering, including effective questioning and active listening.
• To identify the importance of understanding not just actions, but the motivation for actions.
• To begin to identify some key skills anyone looking to build rapport and influence needs.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of up to 12 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• A supply of A4 paper for each participant to show their answers to the group. (You could use a small wipe clean whiteboard or similar).

Notes:
This icebreaker is useful in any situation where you want to encourage meaningful conversations.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to run. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To help participants recognise and identify other members of the group.
• To help participants identify connections with other members of the group.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups with between 6 and 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• A set of pens of the same colour and style - one for each participant.
• A set of cards (e.g., blank index cards) or slips of paper - 6 per person. (The cards/pieces of paper must all be the same size.)

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To provide an opportunity for participants to learn something about each other.
• To help participants learn more about each other’s values and motivators.
• To understand the importance of an awareness of the personal values of those they seek to influence.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 20 participants.

You'll Need:
• Printed copies of the images provided on sheets of A4 paper.

Notes:
You can use any images for this activity.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 15 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand the importance of recognising the needs of others when trying to influence their behaviour.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

You'll Need:
• Small bags of chocolate, enough for one bag per 2 participants.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 20 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To identify techniques that can make our spoken communication more influential.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 10 participants.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise can be run with more participants, but additional time will be needed.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to think about the behaviours exhibited by assertive people.
• To encourage participants to think about the characteristics of submissive and aggressive behaviours.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper and plenty of post-it notes.

Notes:
A great follow up for this is ‘What is Assertiveness?’ in Course Modules.