Participatory Methods

Who Am I?

Who Am I? is a participatory and competitive team-based activity where participants must imitate a member of the opposing team while others try to guess who is being portrayed. This exercise blends observation, feedback, and creativity, fostering a playful atmosphere and encouraging reflection on how we perceive others.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Encourage creativity and keen observation among participants.
    • Promote feedback and interpersonal understanding.
    • Strengthen group cohesion through humor and mutual recognition.
  2. Prepare materials:
    • A box or container for drawing names.
    • Paper or cards to write the names of team members.
    • Optional: simple props or accessories (hats, glasses, etc.) to enhance the imitations.
  3. Set up the space:
    • Arrange the room so that each team can sit together and clearly see the participants performing.
    • Leave an open area in the center for performances.
  4. To conduct the activity virtually:
    • Use a video conferencing platform with breakout room features (e.g., Zoom or Microsoft Teams).
    • Ask participants to write down their teammates’ names in the chat or use a collaborative tool to randomly select names.
    • Have participants perform their imitations on camera, making sure everyone can see and take part in the guessing.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduction to the purpose
    • Explain that the activity is designed to foster observation, creativity, and recognition among participants.
    • Emphasize that it’s a playful exercise where fun and participation matter more than winning.
  2. Team formation
    • Divide the group into two or more teams, depending on the total number of participants.
    • Ensure each team has a similar number of members.
  3. Name drawing
    • Each team places the names of its members into a container.
    • The opposing team draws two names at random and chooses one to be imitated.
  4. Imitation and guessing
    • The team that selected the name performs the imitation, using gestures, characteristic phrases, or mannerisms.
    • The opposing team has a limited time (e.g., 1 minute) to guess who is being imitated.
  5. Scoring
    • Points are awarded to the team that correctly guesses the identity.
    • The game continues, with teams taking turns, until everyone has participated.
  6. Group reflection
    • Facilitate a discussion on how we perceive others:
      • Which traits were easiest to imitate and why?
      • How did it feel to be imitated?
      • What did we learn about how others see us?
Recommendations
  • Create a trusting environment: Make sure participants feel comfortable with the idea of being imitated.
  • Use sample demonstrations: Offer an example to clarify how to perform the imitations.
  • Encourage respectful humor: Emphasize that imitations should be fun and positive, avoiding mockery or discomfort.
  • Rotate roles fairly: Ensure everyone has a chance to be imitated and to guess.
  • Include props: Allow the use of simple accessories to enrich performances and make guessing easier.
  • Manage time: Use a visible timer to keep the activity moving at a good pace.
  • Document takeaways: At the end, invite participants to share what they learned about themselves or the group.
  • Avoid pressure: Allow participants to skip their turn if they are uncomfortable being imitated.
  • Keep score visibly: Track points in a visible way to encourage friendly competition.
  • Offer positive feedback: Wrap up the activity with constructive comments about how the group collaborated.
Inspiration
  • Create a safe environment: Ensure participants feel comfortable with the idea of being imitated.
  • Use example demonstrations: Provide a sample imitation to clarify how the activity works.
  • Encourage respectful humor: Emphasize that imitations should be lighthearted and positive, avoiding mockery or discomfort.
  • Rotate roles fairly: Make sure everyone has the opportunity to be both the imitator and the one being imitated.
  • Incorporate props: Use simple accessories to enhance performances and make guessing more engaging.
  • Manage time effectively: Use a visible timer to keep the activity dynamic and on track.
  • Capture key insights: Invite participants to share what they learned about themselves or the group during the activity.
  • Respect personal boundaries: Allow participants to opt out of being imitated if they prefer.
  • Display the score: Keep a visible scoreboard to encourage friendly competition.
  • End with positive feedback: Wrap up with supportive comments on collaboration and group dynamics.

Let me know if you’d like it adapted for a specific audience or format!

Materials
  • Box or container for drawing names.
  • Paper or cards to write participants’ names.
  • Optional: simple props to enhance imitations (e.g., hats, glasses).
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of Who Am I? is to develop creativity, observation, and feedback among participants through a playful exercise. The activity fosters interpersonal understanding and strengthens group cohesion, creating a safe and fun space to explore how we are perceived by others.
Type of activity
Participatory InteractionParticipatory Learning
Level of participation
Collaboration, Exchange of perspectives
Target audience
Students, Community leaders, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams
Fields of application
Education and training, Organizational and business management, Art, culture, and creativity, Innovation and design
Estimated duration
45-60 minutes.
Ideal number of participants
10–30 people, divided into teams of 5–10 members.
Topics related to this activity
Active ListeningCollective ReflectionExperiential LearningGroup EnergizerGroup RecognitionGroup StrengtheningInclusive ParticipationKnowledge GenerationParticipatory InteractionParticipatory StorytellingTeam CreativityTeam StrengtheningTeamwork
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