Bosses and Workers
Submitted by: Emilia Breton (Rumor has it was created by Ken Schweber)
Focus: Mindset, Relationship, Practices, Environment
Number of Players:
6+
Average Game Time:
15 minutes
Materials: Blue tape
Description:
A game that illustrates, command and control, vs. self-organization.
Instructions:
Round 1
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Group into Pairs
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One person is “boss” and the other is “worker”
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Objective: Worker takes as many normal steps as possible, given bosses commands:
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GO, STOP, TURN LEFT , TURN RIGHT
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Worker must follow boss’s commands if they collide with a person or obstacle their step count resets to zero.
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The worker must stay within work area (tape) if they leave step count resets. The boss must stay outside of the work area.
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Boss counts the steps. (record the #)
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Two minutes to complete the exercise
Round 2
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Same pairs
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Objective: Worker takes as many normal steps as possible.
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Worker is responsible for how to best accomplish the objective without the boss’s commands.
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Boss is responsible for assisting the worker in any way possible to achieve the objective
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If they collide with a person or obstacle their step count resets to zero.
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The worker must stay within work area (tape) if they leave step count resets. The boss may enter the work area
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Worker counts the steps. (Record the #)
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Two minutes to complete the exercise
Use your favorite retrospective technique to debrief.
Variations :