16.2. The Plan of Exercises

The exercises are grouped as follows:

Warming up and generating group energy. These exercises help people get to know one another and begin to develop a group identity. They are best at the start of a workshop or meeting. They introduce the principles of improv and generate light, fun, collaborative, and action-oriented energy.

Moving toward and moving away from. These are more elaborate exercises, conducted mostly in pairs. They focus on various aspects of relationships, such as creating alliances and collaborating productively with opponents. They are best done after some warm-up exercises.

Building synergy. These focus on creating synergy within a group and are best done after the exercises in either of the prior groups.

Relationships within hierarchy. These should follow exercises from either of the two preceding sets. They explore participants' awareness of and reaction to others' hierarchical status.