Creative ABCs

By: Calvin Bacon

Overview: Individuals sometimes take issue with the constraints of their jobs particularly when they are trying to solve problems. However, people must learn how to find solutions within the constraints they have. This exercise helps people learn how to deal with constraints effectively. You might warm up the group by asking what type of constraints they have within their jobs.

Purpose: This exercise helps people learn how to find relatedness within constraints of a problem or opportunity.

Participants: From two to twenty.

Materials: none.

Time: 20 minutes

Procedure:

• Write the words key words Engine, Spring, and Process on a chart pad (or pick your own list of words).
• Ask the participants to count off.
• Ask the first person to think of a word that is related to one the three key words.
• Ask each person, in order, to think of a word related to one of the three key words on the list AND starts with the next letter of the alphabet.
• No key word may be used in succession.

Debrief: What did the participants think about the constraints? Did they want to change the constraints during the exercise? Did you get more creative as you went along?  Was it fun?  This debrief can emphasize that constraints are normal and that solutions are still possible.