Autograph Game

Purpose. A high-mingle way to surface interesting facts about the whole room quickly.

When to use. In the first 15 minutes of a session, once names are known and the group is settling in.

Best for. Any group size, in person.

• Prepare a worksheet in advance with a grid of statements, each needing a different person's signature. See Trainer's Reference below for example statements.

Room setup. Enough open space for participants to mingle freely.

Virtual setup. Adapt to a shared document where participants add their name next to statements that describe them.

Hybrid setup. Give remote participants the same shared document while in-room participants use paper worksheets.

Materials. Autograph worksheet, pens

1. Prepare a worksheet in advance with a grid of statements, each needing a different person's signature (see Trainer's Reference below for example statements).
2. Give each participant a worksheet and a pen.
3. Set a time limit, 8–10 minutes works well.
4. Have participants mingle, asking each other questions to find someone who matches each statement, and getting that person to sign the matching box.
5. A person may only sign a given participant's sheet once, encouraging broad mingling rather than everyone signing with the same few people.
6. When time's up, see who collected the most signatures.

Learning outcome. Participants leave having had a short conversation with a wide range of colleagues, not just a familiar few.

• Autograph worksheet prepared
• Pens
• Debrief questions ready
• Timer set for 10–15 min