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Social Fabric Mapping

This activity gets participants thinking about the power of relationships and what it means to be a part of a connected community.


Participants use the shared visualization to create a visual representation of all the communities and groups that they have been and currently are a part of. They can create their "map" any way that want, but it's best if the facilitator has an example to share with participants for reference.


After five minutes, participants pair up and share their maps with each other. Alternatively, the reflection can be in a full group.


Reflection Questions:

  • How did you feel while you were making your map, and how did you feel looking at your completed map?

  • Considering everything you included in your map, what do you think makes a community “woven strong”?

jean-philippe Favre

Sports gallery

“Sports gallery” is a very intensive example of an energizer. The facilitator calls out different sports skills. The participants have to mimic them for at least 10 seconds. After a while the facilitator speeds up the tempo.
Ulf Grüner

Joran Oppelt

Elephants, Dead Fish, and Vomit

  • Frame: Famously utilized by AirB&B to get at the heart of some of their culture issues. The idea is that there are three things that move the needle on psychological safety and team effectiveness:

    • Elephants - The "elephants in the room" or things people are avoiding and not talking about. These tend to create a sense of ambiguity and helplessness. Elephants must die.
    • Dead Fish - These are the "old tapes" that people refuse to let go of. They've been around so long that they're beginning to stink up the place. These tend to sour people on each other by undermining trust and creating fictions. Dead Fish must disappear.
    • Vomit - This is our ability to speak freely, directly, and openly with another person without fear of reprisal. If we're not listened to in this way, it can build up over time and bad things can happen. Vomit has to happen.
  • Outcomes: Creates more honesty and psychological safety; Surfaces crucial issues on the team

  • Demo: Leader shares an example of an old tape or story they've been carrying around and are ready to let go of
  • Process/Steps:
    • Facilitator introduces the framework by drawing three columns on a flipchart (or a flipchart for each)
    • Facilitator asks the group for an example of either an Elephant or a Dead Fish
    • Team members affirm, clarify, or provide additional context
    • Group decides how to appropriately address or let go of the issue (usually by naming some hard, next steps)
    • Facilitator captures on flipchart
    • Group is invited to add to the flipcharts over the course of the day
    • Facilitator reviews additions at the end of the day
Sunny Tan

Passing the Baton

Using an item as an symbol to allow everyone to have an opportunity to speak.