To save colors and take care of the planet, print this text in shades of gray

The spool

Make the links created during a group activity visible

Pratique

Aim

The spool method highlights the relationships forged during a collective intelligence working session.

Instructions

Time needed: 15 to 30 minutes

Key steps

As a facilitator, you ask participants a question.
E.g.: “Who do you want to share your gratitude with at the end of the day?”, “What did you find out about your colleague?”, “Who do you want to collaborate with tomorrow and on which project?” etc.

You then invite them to pass the spool to each other as a speech object.
Tell them to wait for someone to indicate that they wish to speak before passing the spool on. Respecting everyone’s pace guarantees quality sharing.

After speaking, all participants need to continue holding the thread for the connections to become visible.

Once the exercise is finished, invite the group to question how the spool circulated in the group, its pace, etc. It is also a time to share any additional comments or feelings.

Tips and Advice

• You can finish the exercise without debriefing, by simply inviting participants to let go of the thread that connects them in a movement that marks the end of the session they have just experienced.
• Consider taking a photo before the pattern that has been woven throughout the exercise disappears.