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Choose this exercise

Purpose: Enable low-stakes peer introductions through brief, self-directed personal trivia.

Use it when: Use at the start of a meeting, training cohort, or workshop where participants need a quick, conversational warmup.

Skip it when: Skip when the group already knows each other well or when meeting space prevents easy mingling or movement.

Group arrangement: Individual coding followed by revolving one-on-one mingling conversations.

Timing: Playmeo lists 10 to 15 minutes. UWT standardizes to a 15-minute complete run sheet.

Materials and tools

• One blank 3x5 index card per participant
• One dark marker or pen per participant
• One piece of painter's tape or name-tag clip per participant
• Flipchart or whiteboard for displaying the example
• Digital whiteboard or chat tool if running online

Before participants arrive

1. Set out pens, index cards, and tape on tables before people arrive.
2. Write a neutral example code tag on the flipchart or whiteboard (for instance: 'Alex | 2012-3C-2B' for year moved to town, three cats, two bicycles).
3. Clear floor space so participants can walk around comfortably.

Say this to open

Write your first name across the top half of your card. On the bottom half, write a short code using numbers and letters that represents two or three facts about you. For example, 2012-3C-2B might mean moved to this city in 2012, three cats, and two bicycles. Keep the facts light and share only what you feel comfortable discussing.

How to run it

1. Draft code tags 4 minutes

   Distribute cards and pens. Participants write their first name on the top half and encode 2 to 3 personal facts in numbers and letters on the bottom half. Point out the neutral example written on the board. Participants attach their card to their chest using tape or clips.

2. Pair mingling rounds 7 minutes

   Invite everyone to stand and find a partner. Each pair has 90 seconds to guess the meaning of each other's codes and share the real story behind them. Facilitator rings a bell or calls time every 90 seconds to cue rotating to a new partner. Run 4 rapid rounds.

3. Room share 2 minutes

   Gather everyone together. Invite 2 or 3 volunteers to share one surprising or interesting code they decoded from a colleague.

4. Debrief 2 minutes

   Facilitator poses one debrief question to the whole room, taking 1 to 2 brief responses before transitioning into the main agenda.

Debrief questions

• Which code was easiest or hardest to decipher, and why?
• What common interest did you uncover that you did not expect?

Finished output: Completed coded name tags and completed introduction rounds across pairs.

Remote

Instead of index cards, participants rename their display name in the video platform to 'First Name [Code]' (e.g., 'Alex [2010-3C-2B]'). The facilitator creates breakout rooms of 2 people for 90 seconds each, running 3 to 4 quick breakout cycles, then pulls everyone back to main room for a rapid chat-based debrief.

Hybrid

In-person participants wear paper index cards. Remote participants display their code in their video tile name and type it in the shared chat. Pair remote attendees with remote attendees in video breakouts, and in-person attendees with in-person minglers. For whole-room sharing, take one share from the room and one from the virtual chat.

Access and participation choices

• Seated option: participants who prefer not to walk around can remain seated at a stationary table while mobile partners rotate to them.
• Low disclosure choice: participants choose their own facts and may encode everyday work facts (e.g., years in industry, number of keyboards) instead of personal history.
• Passing: anyone may participate simply by listening to a partner or writing a single simple number.

If the session gets stuck

Participants write obscure or private facts that make them uncomfortable when probed.

Remind participants during setup to choose light, general facts such as hobbies, pet counts, or favorite travel years.

Uneven numbers leave someone without a mingling partner.

Form one group of three, or have the facilitator step in as a mingling partner.

Terms used here

• Code tag: A nametag containing a short sequence of letters and numbers summarizing personal facts.