Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Help me prepare and run the exercise below. First ask for my participant count, time, setting, access needs and intended result. Check these against the stated limits. Use the supplied rules and materials. Explain any proposed changes before using them, and label them as adaptations. Do not invent source claims or require personal disclosure. Give me one step at a time when I say start. I manage the people, physical activity and clock; do not claim to observe the room. Ask me what happened before choosing a next step.

Reference revision: ec109ae5dc18bba4c4bc5652c1d7250cb599ffaa8b02593f1962c99c14138111

# Talking Behind Your Back

Participants wear an index card on their back or table space while peers mingle to write short, supportive notes on it. Everyone then reads their received notes privately or shares reflections.

**Time:** 15 minutes. Based on the 5 to 10 minute interaction window documented in Playmeo, expanded to 15 minutes to include setup and debrief.
**People:** 4 to 24. Whole-group mingle followed by individual reading and optional plenary reflections

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Exchange written, peer-to-peer appreciation across a group in a structured mingle format.
**Use it when:** At the close of a project, multi-day retreat, or team cycle where participants have observed each other working together.
**Skip it when:** When participants are complete strangers who have no shared context or observations to draw upon.

## Materials and tools

- 1 4x6 or 5x7 index card per participant
- 1 roll of gentle painter's masking tape
- 1 fine-tip felt pen or marker per participant

## Before participants arrive

1. Pre-cut tape strips so participants can easily attach cards.
2. Ensure ample open floor space for mingling without crowding.

## Say this to open

Take an index card and write your preferred first name at the top. We will tape these to your back, or you may tape yours to the edge of your desk if you prefer not to have it on your body. Once we start, walk around the room and write a brief, positive note on as many cards as you can. Focus on specific contributions, strengths, or moments you appreciated.

## How to run it

### 1. Set up cards (3 minutes)

Distribute cards, tape, and markers. Ask each participant to write their name clearly at the top. Have participants partner up to tape their card to their upper back, or attach it to their table station facing outward.

### 2. Mingle and write comments (7 minutes)

Invite participants to move freely around the room. Participants write short, affirming comments on peers' cards. Writing may be signed or anonymous. For example, write 'Appreciated your calm focus during our sprint' rather than a generic 'You rock'. Continue until most cards hold several notes or time expires.

### 3. Review cards (2 minutes)

Instruct participants to carefully peel their cards off their backs or stations and sit down to read their received comments silently.

### 4. Debrief (3 minutes)

Facilitate a brief group reflection on the experience. Invite two or three volunteers to share a takeaway without requiring anyone to read private comments out loud.


## Debrief questions

- What was it like to read feedback written about you while you were not looking?
- What kinds of comments felt most meaningful to receive?
- How can we continue sharing specific peer appreciation in our regular routine?

**Finished output:** Each participant holds a completed card containing handwritten peer feedback to take home.

## Remote

Use a collaborative whiteboard tool (such as Miro or Mural) or a shared digital document. Create a dedicated frame or column for each participant labeled with their name. Set a 7-minute timer for participants to navigate the board and leave digital sticky notes on colleagues' frames. Afterwards, allow 2 minutes of silent reading before a 3-minute voice reflection.

## Hybrid

Set up the digital board for all participants. In-person participants access the board via laptops or tablets alongside remote colleagues, ensuring everyone gives and receives notes in one shared format.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants may choose to place their card on their table, chair back, or notebook instead of wearing it on their body to avoid physical touch.
- Participants may choose to keep all received notes private and pass on speaking during the debrief.

## If the session gets stuck

**Tape does not stick to certain fabrics or falls off during movement.**

Provide painter's tape or safety pins, or have participants rest cards on their tabletop while moving between seats.

**Participants write only vague compliments like 'great job'.**

Provide a concrete prompt before writing begins, asking people to note a specific action, skill, or interaction they valued.


## Terms used here

- Affirming comment: A brief note highlighting a concrete positive contribution, strength, or appreciated behavior.

## Sources and adaptation

Observed in Playmeo records, where it is attributed to Mark Collard.

Retained the core card-writing and mingling mechanic from Playmeo. Added a non-body placement option (taping to a table) for physical autonomy, explicit time allocations totaling 15 minutes, concrete writing examples, and a hybrid structure.

[Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/trust-building-games/talking-behind-your-back)

[Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/trust-building-games/talking-behind-your-back/)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/fun-trust-building-activity-energiser-talking-behind-your-back/