The House of Commons

A fun exercise to get the crew thinking and involved in the change is the “House of Commons” game. From experience, we know that simply broadcasting the message and repeating it doesn’t always have the desired effect, no matter how great the change story is. We want the message to be truly understood and for the crew to live it and propagate it themselves.

In this exercise, the crew must come up with answers to the questions they have. This makes crew members think more about the change and learn to look for both positive and negative arguments. They also practice explaining the message and answering critical questions. Additionally, this exercise brings energy and fun!

• Start by sharing a statement (or important question) about the change program.

• Form two groups: one group supports the statement, and the other opposes it.

• Give the groups five minutes to prepare for a debate based on the statement.

• In the room: place two chairs opposite each other, where a representative from each group sits. The other group members should stand behind the chair. Set the timer for seven minutes.

• The representatives on the chairs start the debate while the others remain silent. During the debate, someone from the group can “tag” the representative and take their place to continue or redirect the discussion. A representative who feels stuck can also stand up, allowing someone else from the group to take over.

• The debate stops when the time is up. Ask both groups what good arguments they heard from the other group. Optionally, ask someone representing the change to provide an explanation on the topic.

• Take the next question or statement and reverse the roles. The group that was against it now supports and vice versa. Do as many rounds and topics as the group enjoys. Always conclude with what was learned.