Blind Polygon

What: A challenging problem-solving initiative that casts light on the team's listening skills,
roles, meeting dynamics and problem-solving processes. (did not include this in powerpoint)

Group Size: 10-30

Time: One hour

Props: One blindfold per participant; one 50 - 100 foot length of rope; video camera (optional)

Objective: For the blindfolded group to form a perfect square (or triangle, or hexagon if you're
somewhat sadistic ...) with the rope.

Instructions:

Blindfold the group, lay a rope on the ground somewhere in their midst, then cryptically tell
them that there is something in their midst that they will need to find, that they will know it when
they find it, and that you will give the group further instructions when each person is holding the
prop. Instruct them to move slowly and with their hands out in front of them to prevent bumps.
After the group finds the rope, tell them to make it into as perfect a square as they can, and that
they will have up to twenty minutes to do so. Videotape the whole affair. When the group
decides that it has made a square, they can remove their blindfolds and check their work. Total
time to this point is 30 minutes. (i didn’t include this on powerpoint coz participants are blind folded. They
shouldn know what happens. You just tell them what they need to do)

Pop the tape into a VCR and play it back for the group, pausing it at points and inviting
participants to observe and point out significant aspects of their group process. Debrief time is 30
minutes for a total of one hour.

Facilitator Notes: (I did not include in powerpoint)

1. This activity is challenging - expect some resistance or "checking-out."

2. Possible Uses:

 ASSESSMENT / OWNERSHIP OF ISSUES: When used at the beginning of a

training day, have the group identify the strengths that they observe and the
opportunities for growth. Depending upon the group's performance, can also be
used at the conclusion of training to note improvement.

 SKILLS PRACTICE: Can also be used following classroom training as skills

practice on identified areas for improvement. In this activity, the group must 1)
hold a meeting, 2) problem-solve, and 3) make a decision, so it is most
appropriate as part of any of these trainings.
Did you find it hard to solve the problem?

What difficulties you have encountered while doing the activity?

How would you relate the activity in your field of work or as a police officers?
Brain Teasers

1. The maker doesn't want it; the buyer doesn't use it; and the user doesn't even see it. What is it?

2. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?

3. Clara Clatter was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this
possible?

4. What is one thing that all wise men, regardless of their religion or politics, agree is between
heaven and earth?

5. In what year did Christmas and New Year's fall in the same year?

6. A woman from New York married ten different men from that city, yet she did not break any
laws. None of these men died and she never divorced. How was this possible?

7. How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 25?

8. A taxi driver was called to take a group of passengers to the train station. The station is normally
an hour away, but with traffic being extra heavy, it took a full hour and a half. On the return trip the
traffic was still as heavy and yet it took only 90 minutes. Why?

9. How could you rearrange the letters in the words "new door" to make one word? Note: There is
only one correct answer.

10. Even if they are starving, natives living in the Arctic will never eat a penguin's egg. Why not?

11. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg *are* white" or "The yolk of the egg *is* white"?

12. There were an electrician and a plumber waiting in line for admission to the "International
Home Show". One of them was the father of the other's son. How could this be possible?
ANSWERS:
1. A coffin
3. Mount Everest; it just hadn't been discovered!
4. Clara lives in the southern hemisphere.
6. The word "and."
7. They fall in the same year every year, New Year's Day just arrives very early in the year and Christmas
arrives very late in the same year.
8. The lady was a Justice of the Peace.
10. Only once, then you are subtracting it from 20.
11. An hour and a half IS 90 minutes.
12. "new door" = "one word"
13. Penguins live in the Antarctic.
14. Neither, the yolk of the egg is yellow.
16. They were husband and wife.
 Professional or 4 Year Old

1.Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do
simple things in an overly complicated way.

2. The Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close the refrigerator. Correct
Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests
your ability to think through the repercussions (= consequence, effect, upshot, impact, aftermath, outcome, ramification,
corollary, influence, implication, result) of your actions

3.Correct Answer: The Elephant. The Elephant is in the refrigerator. This tests your memory.

4. Correct Answer: You swim across. All the Crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting! This tests
whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

ANSWERS:
1. A coffin
3. Mount Everest; it just hadn't been discovered!
4. Clara lives in the southern hemisphere.
6. The word "and."
7. They fall in the same year every year, New Year's Day just arrives very early in the year and Christmas
arrives very late in the same year.
8. The lady was a Justice of the Peace.
10. Only once, then you are subtracting it from 20.
11. An hour and a half IS 90 minutes.
12. "new door" = "one word"
13. Penguins live in the Antarctic.
14. Neither, the yolk of the egg is yellow.
16. They were husband and wife.
Brain Teasers

1.The maker doesn't want it; the buyer doesn't use it; and the user doesn't even see it. What is it?

2. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?

3. Clara Clatter was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this
possible?

4. What is one thing that all wise men, regardless of their religion or politics, agree is between heaven
and earth?

5. In what year did Christmas and New Year's fall in the same year?

6. A woman from New York married ten different men from that city, yet she did not break any laws.
None of these men died and she never divorced. How was this possible?

7. How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 25?

8. A taxi driver was called to take a group of passengers to the train station. The station is normally an
hour away, but with traffic being extra heavy, it took a full hour and a half. On the return trip the traffic
was still as heavy and yet it took only 90 minutes. Why?
9. How could you rearrange the letters in the words "new door" to make one word? Note: There is only
one correct answer.

10. Even if they are starving, natives living in the Arctic will never eat a penguin's egg. Why not?

11. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg *are* white" or "The yolk of the egg *is* white"?

12. There were an electrician and a plumber waiting in line for admission to the "International Home
Show". One of them was the father of the other's son. How could this be possible?

Professional or 4 Year Old

The following short quiz consists of 4 questions and tells  whether you are truly a "professional". Scroll
down for the answers. The questions are not difficult. Answer each question before moving on to the
next one.

1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator ?

3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference, all the animals attend except one. Which animal does
not attend? OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions, correctly, you still have one more
chance to show your abilities.
4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles. How do you manage it?