Who Am I?

Who Am I? is a participatory and competitive team-based activity where participants must imitate a member of the opposing team while others try to guess who is being portrayed. This exercise blends observation, feedback, and creativity, fostering a playful atmosphere and encouraging reflection on how we perceive others.

Preparation

1. Define the purpose:
   • Encourage creativity and keen observation among participants.
   • Promote feedback and interpersonal understanding.
   • Strengthen group cohesion through humor and mutual recognition.
2. Prepare materials:
   • A box or container for drawing names.
   • Paper or cards to write the names of team members.
   • Optional: simple props or accessories (hats, glasses, etc.) to enhance the imitations.
3. Set up the space:
   • Arrange the room so that each team can sit together and clearly see the participants performing.
   • Leave an open area in the center for performances.
4. To conduct the activity virtually:
   • Use a video conferencing platform with breakout room features (e.g., Zoom or Microsoft Teams).
   • Ask participants to write down their teammates’ names in the chat or use a collaborative tool to randomly select names.
   • Have participants perform their imitations on camera, making sure everyone can see and take part in the guessing.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Introduction to the purpose
   • Explain that the activity is designed to foster observation, creativity, and recognition among participants.
   • Emphasize that it’s a playful exercise where fun and participation matter more than winning.
2. Team formation
   • Divide the group into two or more teams, depending on the total number of participants.
   • Ensure each team has a similar number of members.
3. Name drawing
   • Each team places the names of its members into a container.
   • The opposing team draws two names at random and chooses one to be imitated.
4. Imitation and guessing
   • The team that selected the name performs the imitation, using gestures, characteristic phrases, or mannerisms.
   • The opposing team has a limited time (e.g., 1 minute) to guess who is being imitated.
5. Scoring
   • Points are awarded to the team that correctly guesses the identity.
   • The game continues, with teams taking turns, until everyone has participated.
6. Group reflection
   • Facilitate a discussion on how we perceive others:
     • Which traits were easiest to imitate and why?
     • How did it feel to be imitated?
     • What did we learn about how others see us?

Purpose

The purpose of Who Am I? is to develop creativity, observation, and feedback among participants through a playful exercise. The activity fosters interpersonal understanding and strengthens group cohesion, creating a safe and fun space to explore how we are perceived by others.

Required materials

• Box or container for drawing names.
• Paper or cards to write participants’ names.
• Optional: simple props to enhance imitations (e.g., hats, glasses).

Platforms

• Questiory
• Miro
• Mural
• Genially

Practical recommendations

• Create a trusting environment: Make sure participants feel comfortable with the idea of being imitated.
• Use sample demonstrations: Offer an example to clarify how to perform the imitations.
• Encourage respectful humor: Emphasize that imitations should be fun and positive, avoiding mockery or discomfort.
• Rotate roles fairly: Ensure everyone has a chance to be imitated and to guess.
• Include props: Allow the use of simple accessories to enrich performances and make guessing easier.
• Manage time: Use a visible timer to keep the activity moving at a good pace.
• Document takeaways: At the end, invite participants to share what they learned about themselves or the group.
• Avoid pressure: Allow participants to skip their turn if they are uncomfortable being imitated.
• Keep score visibly: Track points in a visible way to encourage friendly competition.
• Offer positive feedback: Wrap up the activity with constructive comments about how the group collaborated.

Inspiration

• Create a safe environment: Ensure participants feel comfortable with the idea of being imitated.
• Use example demonstrations: Provide a sample imitation to clarify how the activity works.
• Encourage respectful humor: Emphasize that imitations should be lighthearted and positive, avoiding mockery or discomfort.
• Rotate roles fairly: Make sure everyone has the opportunity to be both the imitator and the one being imitated.
• Incorporate props: Use simple accessories to enhance performances and make guessing more engaging.
• Manage time effectively: Use a visible timer to keep the activity dynamic and on track.
• Capture key insights: Invite participants to share what they learned about themselves or the group during the activity.
• Respect personal boundaries: Allow participants to opt out of being imitated if they prefer.
• Display the score: Keep a visible scoreboard to encourage friendly competition.
• End with positive feedback: Wrap up with supportive comments on collaboration and group dynamics.

Let me know if you'd like it adapted for a specific audience or format!