Understanding Builds Team Strength
Talk. Listen. Understand. Great teams communicate effectively at all times. Your team may converse....but do they actually communicate?
The Empathy and Communication PLAYshop is the ultimate team bonding workshop! Through its immersive games and content, teams will come together to foster a better understanding of each other in order to better communicate. Participants will learn to consistently practice empathy, gaining more trust and understanding during interactions with both their teams and customers!

Objective: Fostering a better understanding of each other in order to improve communication, collaboration & problem-solving.
For Teams That Are
- Solve complex issues and problems
- Rely on strong communication to execute
- Are diverse & have many different points of view
Skills Used For
- Creating outstanding customer service & communication
- Understanding and appreciate different viewpoints
- Improving team communication, collaboration & problem solving
- Broadening perspectives and train for leadership
Empathy & Communication
PLAYshop Outline
Intro: FOP Intro, How We’ll Learn, Aha’s Woohoo’s & Huh’s.
Opening Activity: Story Swap. Sympathy vs Empathy. What Is Empathy/Why Important?
Big Idea: Empathy is showing other’s they are not alone
KEY 1:
Perspective Taking
(Cognitive Empathy)
Content: Putting self in others shoes & seeing other perspectives. Relating but not overtaking. Identifying other’s CCI’s (capacities, circumstances & interests) vs own.
Sample Games: House Flipperz, Interesting Email, Status Walk, Secret Draw, SilentO
Discussion: Where can you ‘perspective shift’ at work? What story resonated with you and why? What if you were in their shoes?
KEY 2:
Staying out of Judgement
(Just Listen)
Content: Notice commonalities & accepting other beliefs/values (Removing judgment). Listen with Intention (Active Listening). Listen-Loop-Dip.
Sample Games: Extremes, First/Last. Listen-Loop-Dip, Judging Police, Pancakes vs Waffles, 5 Numbers, I am But I am Not, SwitchChangeRotate
Discussion: Where/how can you practice active listening and removing judgment? Meetings, 1:1’s, projects, problem-solving, etc
KEY 3:
Recognize Others Emotions
(Emotional Empathy)
Content: Recognizing Emotions, Core Emotions, Getting in Tune. Ask Thoughtful Questions (lead with curiosity)
Sample Games: Emotional Name Swap, Guessing Emotions, Hotseat Emotions, Interpretations/Mirror Dance, Askhole, Stems, Ask Siri
Discussion: What emotions have you noticed on your team in general? Where is there an opportunity to acknowledge them more?
KEY 4:
Communicate Understanding (Compassionate Empathy)
Content: Non-verbal communication, thoughtful action (compassion). Connection vs solving. Invite vulnerability (vulnerageous). Everybody has a story.
Sample Games: Step In Circle, B.O.T, Consultants, ADQSwap/Stems, StreetStrangers
Discussion: What can you do on your team to invite vulnerability? Which communication tool will you focus on & how?
Playful Finale*: Empathy Build - a 30+ min guided Experiential Activity to round out the PLAYshop! A blindfolded puzzle game that can only be solved when players learn to understand each other. In small teams & immersive gameplay, participants will draw connections between game outcomes & the collaborative strategies needed for success in their own work.
Wrap Up: All Playshops include a Recap, Takeaways, and HomePlay!
* PLAYful Finales only available for PLAYshops longer than 3 hours
Pricing*
2 Hours
Groups up to 20 People +$40/additional Person
- 5- 7 Group Games
- 1 Standard Theme
3 Hours
Groups up to 20 People +$45/additional Person
- 8 - 10 Group Games
- 1 Expanded Theme
- 1 PLAYful Finale
BEST VALUE
4 Hours
Groups up to 20 People +$50/additional Person
- 10 - 12 Group Games
- 1 Robust Theme
- 1 Robust PLAYful Finale
*Discounts for large groups (100+), startups, schools, social enterprises, and non-profits. Let's chat and figure out your needs.
**Customization, travel costs, or location rentals are extra. Reinforcement programs are available at $1000/hr.