Leadership Game : Guess the Number

ELEMENTARY:

Key Leadership Understanding

Leaders listen and ask pertinent questions. The art of listening and asking questions is important in being an effective leader.

Math/Science Concepts Applicable

Approximation and patterns

Equipment/Logistics

List of participants

Recorder of the number of questions raised and by whom

Time Required

As long as it takes for the first person to achieve the game objective (approximately five minutes)

Game Objective

Be the first participant to correctly articulate the number determined by the volunteer

Group Size

20 to 30

Procedure

Select a volunteer. Volunteer chooses a number mentally and says, “I’m thinking of a number.” Each participant will get one chance to ask a “yes or no question”. No statements are allowed.

Example: Is the number an even number? Is it above 60?

Participants need to keep track of the clues in their heads. The participant who guesses the number correctly with the least number of questions receives a small prize.

Participants who ask repeat questions will be made to do a forfeit, since they have not been listening to the discussion.

Possible Variations

Using questions like “Is the number greater/smaller than…?” will make it too easy to identify the number. Restrict each type of question to be asked only once throughout the entire game. So, we can ask questions like:

– Is it a 2-digit number?

– Is there a digit “1” in the number?

NOTE: For advanced players only. Success not guaranteed.

Process

What feelings did you experience throughout the game?

Question for volunteer: What were some of your thoughts as they were asking you the questions?

What facets of good communication were demonstrated here?

Practical Application

What does this activity tell you about communication with another individual?

Why do we have so many problems with being patient?