Unleashing the magic. ?Simple hacks to accelerate social connection ?

Recently, I've been on a quest to spice up my workshop facilitation with some techniques for building social connections. Research suggests that aligning on shared values, rituals, and synchronized action can fast-track social bonding. So, my cofacilitator, Sam Roche, and I decided to sprinkle some of these ideas into our recent workshop experiment.

The activity involved team members jotting down workplace preferences and pet peeves as "we" action statements.

For example “We DO make time to check in with each other”, “We DON’T make people feel bad for asking questions”

Simple, right? But we wanted to turn it up a notch on the social connection scale by adding some playful and embodied techniques.

Instead of the usual sticky notes on a wall routine, we transformed the team-sharing segment into a shared ritual by creating a "Magic Circle" on the ground with pebbles. The group gathered around it, and we took turns sharing our thoughts.

Here are the simple rules:

1. Read out your statement.
2. The group listens.
3. If it's a value or action to keep, it goes in the circle with a resounding "YES!" and a synchronised clap from everyone.
4. If it's a 'no,' toss it over your shoulder, and the group chants "Get outta here!"
5. Repeat until all notes are shared.
6. Close the ritual with hands in the centre and a chant of "Magic Circle. MAKE. IT. SO."

At first, the group felt a bit strange and awkward, but within a few rounds, that melted away. Soon, everyone was clapping and chanting with energy that seemed impossible only a few minutes earlier. People made a spectacle of supporting ideas they loved, creating a lively and supportive atmosphere.

By the end, the room was buzzing with energy. It was 5 pm on a Thursday, but no one wanted to call it a day. Instead, the group decided to extend the fun over drinks and more conversation.

This small tweak to a simple workshop idea made a monumental difference. Interestingly, for the subset of participants attending remotely, the focus shifted more towards identifying problems rather than solutions. It solidified my belief that playfulness isn't just a fun add-on; it leads to better outcomes and stronger relationships. Facilitating this workshop wasn't any harder; it just required a conscious decision to prioritise these elements in the workshop design.