Possible outcomes:
- Learning to ask curious questions.
- Building listening skills, especially listening without judgement.
- Appreciating diversity.
- Expanding your point of view.
Overview:
In pairs, participants have a discussion about a controversial topic, each taking an opposite point of view. Participants are only allowed to ask curious questions about their partner’s point of view.
Time: 5 – 15 min
Number of participants: In pairs
Game flow:
Ask participants to pair up. Instruct them to pick a controversial topic of which each chooses an opposite point of view. One participant shares their point of view and the other participant is only allowed to respond with curious questions. It helps if they start their questions with the words ‘I’m curious …’ Tell them to be careful not to disguise their own point of view in the form of a question. The questions must come from genuine curiosity and not from judgement.
Debrief questions:
- What struck you about this exercise?
- What did it feel like to ask only curious questions?
- What was it like being listened to in this way?
- How was your listening different than usual?