SIMAGES 2016.2 - Ready to Use Activity: Sheep and Shepherd

Sheep and Shepherd

By Becky Rice Overview:Using only a whistle, shepherds guide their flock of blind sheep into the pen. This is a challenging team building activity where each team needs to come up with a very good plan to be able to communicate nonverbally.Time:25 MinutesTools/Items required:Blindfolds for the ‘Sheep’, Whistle for the 'Shepherd'Set-up:

• Split the participants into sub groups of three to six
• Have each group select one person as a shepherd
• The remainder of the group will be sheep and will be blindfolded
• The sheep will be individually led (already blindfolded) to various points in the
• immediate area and left there
• Mark the ‘pen’ area (not necessarily near the shepherd) for the sheep

Rules:

• The shepherds must guide the sheep into the pen.
• The shepherd cannot move and may not touch any sheep.
• The shepherd can only communicate with a whistle.  The sheep can only return communications nonverbally.
• Sheep must not remove blindfolds until the end of the exercise.
• No verbal is allowed communication after the preparation phase.
• 10 minutes maximum for the briefing and preparation phase.
• 25 minutes in total for the planning and the retrieval/penning phase.

Procedure:

• Gather the whole group away from the pen area.  Explain that the shepherds must direct their sheep into the pen using only a whistle.  Give teams 10 minutes to prepare.
• Take the whole group to the edge of the pen.  Blindfold the ‘sheep’ and lead them to various points around the pen area.  Disorientate the sheep.
• Stand the shepherd away from the pen.
• Start a timer for 15 minutes and reiterate that verbal communication is not allowed
• Watch for safety and call “STOP” if difficulties arise

 Safety:Trainers will oversee the activity and watch for participants who might be getting into difficulty.  If a trainer shouts “STOP,” everyone must stop until the trainer has sorted out the situation.What's the take-away from this activity?For each team to be able to complete this challenge successfully, they will need to be very creative to invent and agree on a plan together and execute it successfully.  Help the group make parallels to their work as a team.  What plan does the team have to enable their 'shepherd' to successfully guide them in their work?  What do the limits of communication (no talking, using a whistle) have in common with team communication?  What happened during the planning phase and how is that like what happens in the working environment?  Did the group make a contingency plan?  How often does the group plan for unforeseen events at work? Becky Rice is currently Training and Development Manager for the White Castle Corporation.  She has a BS in Biology from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Louisville.  Becky has had an array of careers, including a bird trainer, a zookeeper, a museum educator, a quality control technician and a high school Biology teacher.  She enjoys scuba diving, golfing, making people laugh and writing.  She has a husband and one son who is almost 4.  Becky believes that the key to making all learning successful is to MAKE IT FUN!