World's Worst
Come up with the world's worst way to approach something. Play as a game and/or use to generate productive ideas
by Erica MarxInstructions
As an improv game
Set the Stage: Gather participants in a line or a semi-circle, ready to jump into the game. You, as the facilitator, will call out a profession, activity, or scenario where they must act out the “world’s worst” example of how someone might perform in that situation.
Prompt Examples:
- “World’s worst teacher”
- “World’s worst way to give a presentation”
- “World’s worst boss”
- “World’s worst way to handle conflict”
Quick and Playful Performances: Each participant steps forward and offers a quick, exaggerated portrayal of how someone would act if they were terrible at this task. The key is to be bold and over-the-top, embracing the humor of the “worst” scenario.
Encourage Participation: The game moves quickly, so encourage multiple participants to give their versions one after another. Keep the atmosphere light and playful.
Reflect Together: After the game, gather the group to discuss what made each portrayal particularly ineffective or undesirable.
Variation
Have people brainstorm in pairs and act out mini scenes. This can be more accessible than each person being on the spot to come up with an idea in the moment.
Debrief and Application
Create an Opposite List: Reflect on the “worst” examples that were performed. Make a list of all the negative traits, actions, or attitudes that were identified. For instance:
- Worst teacher: uninterested, talks only about themselves, no feedback
- Worst boss: micromanaging, unappreciative, unclear expectations
Flip the Ideas: For each negative trait, brainstorm the opposite. If the worst teacher doesn’t listen to students, the best teacher actively listens and engages. If the worst boss micromanages, the best boss trusts their team and provides autonomy.
Group Discussion: Have participants discuss which “opposites” resonate as qualities they’d like to see or implement in their own roles, or brainstorm practical steps to incorporate these better practices.
Develop Actionable Insights: Encourage the group to pick a few of the “opposite” ideas that seem most impactful and list concrete ways to implement these traits in their work or interactions.
Sabotage Variation
Set the activity up as "You are going to play a spy in our organization. Your job is to figure out how to sabotage the organization." Put people in pairs or small groups to brainstorm ideas and create mini scenes that show these activities in action. After the performances, lead a discussion about 'which of these are we already doing' and go from there. Either flip the ideas or keep exploring how the team is sabotaging and what they want to change. Credit for this framing - learned from Kat Koppett.
Background
classic improv game
About me: I am the owner of Erica Marx Coaching, a team coaching company based in Ithaca, NY and working internationally. We take a relationship systems approach to creating cultures of collaboration in organizations. We offer retreats, workshops, trainings, keynotes, executive & team coaching, and longer-term engagements with organizations.
https://www.ericamarxcoaching.com/
erica@ericamarx.com
(607) 269 - 7401
Author
I lead a team that helps multi-stakeholder groups tackle high-stakes, complex work with clarity and connection. We design and guide strategic planning sessions, workshops, retreats, and conferences where people think well together, make sound decisions, and take coordinated action. Our team is trained in improvisational theater, and as active members of the International Applied Improvisation Network, we bring adaptable, creative methods that build trust, surface essential perspectives, and keep momentum strong. We also share what we know, offering facilitator training that blends inclusive process design with the flexibility and presence of improv.
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