Two Wins and One Wish
Unlike the traditional game of "2 Truths and 1 Lie," which can often turn into a competition, this activity focuses on building trust and connection. By sharing their achievements and aspirations, participants have the opportunity to get to know each other better and offer support. The goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and receiving feedback.
by Jan KeckGoal
A fun and structured activity for small groups to share their accomplishments and goals, with a focus on support and connection.
Materials
Instructions
1. Invite everyone to write down two recent accomplishments (wins) from the last year and one goal they hope to achieve in the next year (wish).
These achievements can relate to their career, personal milestones, or even fun challenges they have set for themselves. I recommend giving everyone 3-5 minutes to complete this task at the beginning so that they can fully engage in listening to others’ shares.
2. Divide people into groups of three, preferably with individuals who don’t know each other well. One by one, they will share their accomplishments and aspirations, all expressed in the past tense, making it unclear what has not yet happened. For example:
“I made it through a full week without hitting snooze on my alarm.”
“I planted some vegetables on my balcony and made a delicious salad yesterday!”
“I’ve read 20 books last year.”
4. After everyone has shared, invite the groups to collaborate and find ways to support each other in order to achieve these wishes.
FACILITATOR TIPS
- Having examples on hand can be helpful when it comes to activities like this. Consider taking the time to come up with your own answers as examples. This is a great chance to build connections and trust with your participants as the facilitator. I recommend making sure they are not too impressive but rather mediocre so it’s less competitive for the group.
Make sure that everyone has enough time to write down their three facts. If you regularly work with your group, you can even introduce the activity at the end of a previous session or in an email and ask them to come prepared with their list.
Some great debrief questions to ask in the end are,
“What themes showed up in the things that people wished for?” This helps strangers connect over the things they have in common.
“If you could help one person in this group achieve their ‘wish,’ who would it be and how?” This encourages active support and follow-up beyond the activity.
“What’s one small step you can take toward your own wish?” This helps participants turn reflection into action.
Background
There are so many reasons why I don't like "Two Truths & One Lie" which I wrote about in detail here: https://www.jankeck.com/best-icebreakers-alternatives-1/
Author
Are you tired of the same old, unproductive meetings and workshops? Do you feel like you're not getting the engagement or results you need from your team? 🗣️ Let me tell you a secret: it's not your fault. The truth is, engaging people in a way that builds trust and connection is an art form. And as a recovering shy guy and people-loving introvert, I'm passionate about creating experiences that foster deep connections. 🤝 As a trainer, facilitator, and experience designer, I help empathetic leaders and teams create meaningful, inclusive experiences that build trust, empower vulnerability, and foster deeper connections. My mission is to ensure everyone feels seen and heard, especially the introverted, quiet and shy people. If you're struggling with low engagement, difficult team dynamics, or participants who don't trust each other, I've got you covered. My workshops and programs are designed to tackle these challenges head-on, helping you and your team work better together. 💡 Together, we'll turn crickets into conversations, and side conversations into productive collaboration. No more wasting time on small talk or cringey icebreakers. Instead, we'll work together to create experiences that make your team feel seen, heard, and valued. 🤔 Don't believe in icebreakers? I get it. But trust me, my approach is different. By creating brave spaces and using ice MELTERS, my connection activities actually make people feel comfortable and engaged, not uncomfortable and anxious. 🌍 Over the past few years, I've trained thousands of people to create highly inclusive, engaging, and meaningful experiences when we can't be in the same room together. And now, I am writing my first book at icemeltersbook.com 🌟 At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help people feel less alone and more connected. So if you're ready to take your team to the next level, let's talk. 📩 Send me a message and let's create magical human moments together - online and beyond.
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