Single File (VJI-M4-02-EN)

• To build trust
• To practice the skills of dialogue
• To understand that there may be more than one “right” answer

• Students
• Adolescent youth

Have everyone stand up and gather together. To get them in the spirit of the activity, have them line up shoulder-to- shoulder, from shortest to tallest —one extreme to the other. Stress that the one requirement in the game is that everyone
needs to arrange themselves in a single-file line. If two people appear to be the same height, they have to figure out the correct order.

Now that they have the idea, let them know you will be calling out other extremes. The players have to figure out where in the single-file line is an accurate representation of their thoughts and feelings regarding the topic in question.

Call out the first set of extremes and explicitly say which extreme corresponds to which side of the line, for example: say that “I make decisions with my gut” is the extreme to the left and “I use logic to make decisions” is the extreme to the right. Now observe as the players figure out the order that is a correct representation of their position on the topic. Refrain from offering any assistance other than reminding them that they must have a single-file line. Once they are in line, either ask a few mid-activity questions, or call out the next set of extremes. Usually about five to seven sets is a good number. Begin with safer topics and move on to more in-depth extremes.

A list of possible extremes can be found under Materials

At the end of the activity, discuss the discussion questions.

Mid-activity discussion questions

1. Looking around, are there surprises regarding the positions in line?
2. What techniques can we use to determine positions as we move thorough additional topics?
3. Which positions will likely require the most discussion?
4. How does this process build trust?

Discussion questions

1. Which spots are the easiest to decide on? Why?
2. Which spots are the most difficult? Why?
3. How did you figure out your place in line? 4. How did you feel if/when someone else pressured you into switching your spot?
4. If you were able to decide quickly where you stood on any of the issues, how did you react when it took some people much longer?
5. Were you surprised to see so many different perspectives? So many similar perspectives?
6. In times of conflict, do we sometimes assume that our opponent is our extreme opposite? How likely is this assumption? If this is our assumption, how might this influence the outcome?
7. How can we more accurately assess another person’s perspective?

Parafrased from Scannell (2010)

List of extremes (Scannell, 2010)

• I make decisions with my gut. / I use logic to make decisions.
• I like to jump into action. / I prefer to watch and wait.
• I stand firm on my decisions. / I look for ways to compromise.
• I like to compete. / I like to collaborate.
• I like to take risks. / I like to stay within my comfort zone.
• I believe you need to look at the big picture. / I believe you must pay attention to the details.
• I prefer to avoid conflict. / I prefer to confront conflict.
• I like to act spontaneously. / I like to plan everything out.
• I keep my eye on the goal. / I pay attention to the process.
• I express my frustrations. / I keep my emotions to myself.
• I like no surprises. / I embrace the unexpected.

Of course, the activity leader can come up with additional extremes to implement in this activity.

• Argumentation
• Inner reflection
• Enabling dialogue
• Conflict resolution
• Discussion

Scannell, M. (2010). The Big Book of Conflict Resolution Games: Quick, Effective activities to improve communication, trust and collaboration. McGraw Hill Professional. https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2070/2016/08/The-big-book-of-Conflict-Resolution-Games.pdf

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