Get the memo (VJI-M3-02-EN)

• To raise awareness of the role our emotions play during conflict
• To overcome frustrations and maintain effective communication within the team

• Students
• Adolescent youth
• Any citizen

“Secure one end of the rope to a stationary object such as a doorknob (or a light pole or telephone pole, if outside). Place a piece of tape around the rope about 20 feet from where the rope is secured. Have team members pick up the rope with both hands anywhere from the tape to the far end of the rope. Their hands are now “glued” to the rope and must remain there for the duration of the activity. The team must now tie a knot in the rope so it falls between where the rope is secured and the piece of tape.

Afterwards, discuss the following questions:

Discussion questions

1. What did you notice during the activity?
2. In what ways did emotions surface? Why did you feel the way you did?
3. Were you aware of other team members’ emotions? How were you made

aware?

4. Are emotions obstacles to goal achievement or part of the process?
5. Are emotions good or bad?
6. During times of conflict, how does it benefit us or the team to be more aware of our and others’ emotions?

7. What did you do to achieve success?
8. Were all ideas heard? Why or why not?
9. Did your plan change along the way?
10. How did the communication change throughout the process?”

Quoted from Scannell (2010)

• A long rope
• tape

• Instigate conflict
• Direct conflict resolution
• Discussion

Usually it takes two or three attempts. On the rare occasion, teams get this the first time out—if this happens, have the team do it again, saying that you are looking for a standardized knot-tying process. Because they figured it out so fast, it should be no problem to do it again. This, however, is not usually the case, which the team learns very quickly. Sometimes this second attempt leads to even more frustration and communication prob lems than if they didn’t get it so fast the first time around.

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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