Sure, we’ve all played a fun game of snakes and ladders as kids, but ever pondered on the marvels it can bring to your training interventions? No matter the age or designation, learning thrives when there’s an element of play in it.
So here’s what I did for young leaders of a BFSI organisation.
The intervention was a 3 day intervention in total, and Snakes and Ladders as a tool was used on the last day, to tie the whole intervention together + curate IDPs for the participants.
Here’s what I did:
> Set context of the “snake” and “ladder” as a metaphor.
> Snake = traits and behaviours that go against good leadership. Ladder = traits and behaviours that demonstrate good leadership
> Gave them some time to reflect on their personal “snakes”, and how they can turn them into stepping stones (ladders)
The Procedure:
-Participants played the board game as per standard rules.
– With every snake they encountered on the mat, they were to identify one “snake” personally and jot it down on a flip chart.
– With every ladder they encountered on the mat, they were to jot down one “ladder” personally, aka how they can be a supportive leader in their respective job roles.
– The game game doesn’t stop until the last person (in the group of 5) doesn’t cross 100. The group keeps brainstorming and scribing their respective snakes and ladders metaphors.
The Masterstroke:
Each participant was then asked to curate an action plan, of actionable behaviours and measures they will take, to convert the Snakes into Ladders.
And with that, lo and behold! we had 10 IDPs! (Individual Development Plan)
The Result:
With introduction of a simple metaphor, a loaded session was made abreeze, without compromising on session quality and learnings. Infact, it only amplified the reflections and garnered more clarity in thought and action for the participants. The young leaders were able to relate to the metaphors, and pin-point desirable and undesirable traits and behaviours.
Lastly, it kind of summarised for them, all that was done over 3 days, and brought the session to a crescendo- as a facili-trainer, seeing learnings being applied and put into action live in the training room itself- was the best feedback for me.
It’s true- there’s learning in play, and play in learning! And you don’t always need a flashy prop and activity to make that happen!
Next up, going to try and repurpose Ludo.
