Some Comments on the Chaos Activity

The purpose of this activity is to provide the learners with the whole body experience of change.  Of course we don’t tell them this is the purpose at the onset of the activity.  Rather, this activity is most impactful when they step into it without pre-established expectations for what they are going to do or what they might experience.  It is a simple activity, yet powerful in its ability to increase self-awareness and understand one's relationship with change. 

Essentially, everyone experiences change differently; this includes our emotional reactions to change, the thoughts we hold about the change process and our resulting outward actions. 

As the activity unfolds, quite quickly the relationship between the individual learners and change will begin to surface.  You will notice the ways that people are reacting to the activity.  Make mental notes.  These reactions are what you are going to want to debrief.

·         Notice frustration, playful behavior, checking out etc.

·         Notice those in the middle of the group or those who take a parameter view.

·         Notice those who move fast and those who move slow.

The sustenance of the activity emerges during the debriefing conversation.  Begin by asking learners about their experience.  What was your experience?  What did you notice?  How did it feel?  What does this tell you about change?  What does this tell you about your relationship with change?  What does this tell us about change in the work environment? 

The opportunity is to engage their experience of the activity and link the expressed experiences with how change unfolds.  Each time you debrief this activity it may unfold a bit differently given that you are working with the experiences of one particular group of people.

A couple of debriefing points that thread into most group experiences:

·         We are always in the midst of change.

·         When one element of the situation changes, it ripples out and impacts everything / everyone in some way.

·         Your feeling response to the activity offers you feedback about how you react to change.  Self-awareness is increased.

·         Remember to throw in the external influence and debrief that point.

Perhaps the women who conducted the PCT CM training this week can comment on how this activity unfolded for your learners and the debriefing points that were pertinent to your group.