A different kind of mosaic What is important in teamwork?

A game of mosaic with a difference can help to find solutions to the question and get all participants mentally "sweating". The idea is simple: the participants puzzle with mosaic pieces until everyone has the geometric figure (e.g. a square) given by the exercise leader made up of just three individual pieces. In order to achieve the goal, not only cooperation and perseverance are important, but also the ability to work in a team, as one's own goals must be subordinated to the overall goal in order to ultimately be successful. There will be several possible solutions, but which one will the team choose?

Number of participants

Minimum: 2; optimum: 4-6; maximum: 7

Duration

approx. 10-15 minutes

Space

Normal seminar room with large open space

Set-up and procedure

The set-up is done quickly - each participant is given two unequal and non-matching mosaic pieces in front of them. The centre forms the "community field", where a further 6 to 7 pieces are placed. The rule states that each participant may take 'pieces' from the centre, although it is also possible to swap with other participants. The tricky part is that there are only 1 or 2 combinations in which the pieces fit together and the desired geometric figure is obtained, with the catch being that no one is allowed to speak to each other during the entire exercise, i.e. the focus is on non-verbal communication. The task is completed in silence when all participants have a geometric shape of the same size in front of them.

Different shaped and coloured mosaic pieces for table mosaics and large pieces for floor mosaics are available in the laboratory.