I recently conducted this this jolt in the middle of a diversity training session for hundreds of participants assembled in an auditorium.
Purpose
To explore how it feels to be excluded--and to be excluding.
Time
6 minutes for the activity and 6 minutes for debriefing.
Participants
Any number, but preferably more than 10
Supplies
Red and green colored dots in sticky paper.
Flow
Assign colors. As each participant comes to the session, randomly give them a green or red dot. Distribute approximately equal number of dots of the two colors. Ask the participants to stick the dots to their name tag or their forehead.
Brief the participants. In the middle of a presentation, ask all the participants to independently decide how they should spend 3 minutes of free time you will assign in the middle of your presentation.
Assign strategies. Explain that you are going to conduct an experiment on right-brain and left-brain strategies for planning. Ask the participants to check the colored dot given to them.
People with green dots (“greens”) will prepare a linear to-do list.
People with red dots (“reds”) will visualize what they will be doing during the free time. Ask the reds to keep visualizing with their eyes tightly closed until you blow the whistle.
Give secret instructions to greens. Ask the greens to keep their eyes open. Project the following messages on the screen, one at a time.
• Shhh...! Follow these secrets instructions.
• When I blow the whistle, start an enthusiastic conversation. Share your ideas for how to spend the free time.
• Talk only to the other greens. Ignore the reds. Don't talk to them.
• Shout across the chairs to other greens. Walk over to meet them.
• If a red talks to you, don't respond. Ignore them.
Begin the free time. Turn off the projector, and after about 2 minutes, blow the whistle and ask the reds to open their eyes. Start the timer and invite all the participants to discuss their plans for the 3-minute free time. Blow the whistle after 3 minutes and announce the end of the free period.
Debrief
Conduct a quick debrief. Follow this suggested sequence:
Ask "How did you feel?" Establish that reds felt uncomfortable about being ignored and excluded. Also establish that greens felt uncomfortable ignoring others and excluding them.
Ask "What happened?” As a green, what did you do and why did you do it? As a red, what did you do and why did you do it?" When greens explain that they were merely following instructions, explain the set-up to reds. Display the secret instructions on the screen again.
Ask greens “Why?” Discuss why the greens chose to follow the instructions even though they felt uncomfortable. Point out that you indoctrinated them in just a few seconds. Ask them how strong their behavior would have been if you had enculturated them for several years.
Relate to the workplace. Ask, "In what ways is this activity similar to what happens in your workplace?" Discuss responses from the participants.
Ask what-if questions. Use questions such as, "What if there were a higher number of reds than greens?" and "What if the free time period lasted for 10 minutes?"
Ask "What-next?" questions. Use questions such as, "Knowing what you learned from this activity, how would you change the way you include or exclude people who belong to different groups?"