Everyone Talk about Person X

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Introduce participants by drawing on existing peer knowledge and reducing individual presentation pressure.

Use it when: Convening mixed cohorts where at least some people know each other, such as cross-functional launches, department merges, or project kickoffs.

Skip it when: When all participants are strangers who have never met or worked together, or when group culture makes peer spotlighting uncomfortable.

Group arrangement: Whole group for 6 to 10 people, or parallel subgroups of 5 to 7 where each person shares a pod with at least one acquainted peer.

Timing: Relationship Makers Handbook suggests 30 to 60 minutes; UWT scales to 20 minutes for up to 10 people in plenary or up to 20 people across parallel pods.

Materials and tools

• Whiteboard, flipchart, or shared digital display
• Dry-erase markers
• Prompt card or slide showing agreed introduction categories

Before participants arrive

1. Write the introduction categories on a visible board (preferred name and role, a past project or strength, an interest or hobby, one little-known fact).
2. For groups of 6 to 10, arrange seating in a single circle. For groups of 11 to 20, divide participants into subgroups of 5 to 7, ensuring every participant shares their pod with at least one person who knows them.

Say this to open

Instead of giving a standard solo intro, we will introduce each other. When it is your turn, you are Person X. Your colleagues will call out what they know about you based on the categories on the board. Then, you confirm what is accurate and fill in any blanks yourself.

How to run it

1. Explain format and boundaries 3 minutes

   Deliver opening script and share an explicit neutral example: 'A peer says: This is Morgan, she works in finance and loves trail running. Morgan replies: That is right, and my little-known fact is that I also keep honeybees.' Remind participants to keep details respectful and work-appropriate. Anyone may say pass to give a standard solo introduction instead.

2. Run crowdsourced peer introductions 12 minutes

   For groups of 6 to 10 in plenary, move through participants sequentially. For groups over 10, have subgroups run this sequence in parallel. Allow 60 to 90 seconds per person. The designated Person X stands or raises a hand. Peers chime in with details matching the board. Once peers finish or pause, Person X clarifies details, fills in blanks, and shares a final fact. Repeat until every person has had a turn.

3. Note group themes 2 minutes

   Call attention to any shared hobbies, common projects, or overlapping skills mentioned during the introductions. A designated note taker or facilitator records prominent themes on the board if ongoing documentation is useful.

4. Debrief 3 minutes

   Lead a whole-room debrief using one or two questions from the list. Invite three or four volunteer contributions across the room.

Debrief questions

• What was it like hearing colleagues describe you before you spoke?
• What was it like trying to describe a teammate from memory?
• What is one unexpected connection or shared interest you learned today?

Finished output: Every participant has been introduced to the room with verified work and personal interests shared aloud, and optionally recorded on the board.

Remote

Run in plenary for up to 10 people or in parallel breakout rooms of 5 to 7 for up to 20 people. Display prompt categories on a shared slide or in chat. Use raised hands or open audio for peers to chime in, then give Person X the mic to verify facts and fill gaps.

Hybrid

Display prompt categories both on the room screen and in the virtual chat. Alternate turns between in-person and remote attendees as Person X. Remote peers unmute or type in chat, while room participants speak into the room microphone.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may remain seated rather than standing.
• Any participant may opt out of peer spotlighting by saying 'I will introduce myself directly' without explanation.
• Peers must only share information that the subject has already made public.

If the session gets stuck

No one speaks up for a new hire or unfamiliar team member.

Intervene immediately, acknowledge that they are new, and ask Person X to introduce themselves directly using the prompt categories on the board.

A peer shares an overly personal or awkward detail.

Step in gently, redirect attention back to the listed categories on the board, and hand the floor directly to Person X to steer their own intro.

Terms used here

• Person X: The participant currently being introduced by their peers during that turn.