Mapping

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Map group members across an imaginary physical plane to observe geographic origins, interests, and perspectives.

Use it when: Use at the start of a multi-region gathering or cross-functional kickoff to visualize group diversity and encourage brief one-on-one introductions.

Skip it when: Skip when the meeting room is crowded with fixed furniture or when the session requires high-focus seated analytical work.

Group arrangement: Whole group moving in a shared room; paired conversations at each prompt location. If someone is standing alone due to odd numbers, they join the nearest pair to make a trio.

Timing: UWT suggested 15-minute delivery for three movement rounds and brief debrief.

Materials and tools

• 1 anchor object for the center of the room (such as a cone, water bottle, or chair)
• Digital whiteboard with a world map graphic for remote or hybrid delivery
• Timer

Before participants arrive

1. Clear an open floor area large enough for participants to spread out safely.
2. Place the anchor object firmly in the center of the space.
3. Define cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) clearly using room walls.

Say this to open

This room is now a world map. This object on the floor is the center. Over here is north, that way is east, that way is south, and that way is west. For each question, walk to the spot that represents your answer, or point to it on the map. Turn to a neighbor at your stop to talk. If you are ever standing alone, wave and join the nearest pair. You share only what you wish to share.

How to run it

1. Orient the room 2 minutes

   Explain the map boundaries and orient the group to North, South, East, and West using the room walls and the central anchor object. State that participation and distance choices are voluntary.

2. Map origins 3 minutes

   Announce prompt 1: 'Move to the place in the world where you were born or grew up.' Allow 30 seconds for everyone to move. Direct participants to turn to the person nearest them and share the name of their location for 90 seconds. If someone is standing alone, they join the nearest cluster to form a trio.

3. Map aspirations 3 minutes

   Announce prompt 2: 'Move to a place in the world you would love to visit or vacation.' Allow 30 seconds to move. Direct participants to form pairs with someone new nearby and spend 90 seconds explaining why they picked that destination. Odd participants join the nearest pair.

4. Map news focus 3 minutes

   Announce prompt 3: 'Move to the location of a recent world news event that caught your attention.' Give 30 seconds to reposition. Ask participants to share in pairs or trios for 90 seconds what event drew them to that location.

5. Debrief group map 4 minutes

   Gather the group back to the center or their seats. Ask the debrief questions to the room, taking two or three brief volunteer responses per question.

Debrief questions

• What geographic patterns or clusters showed up across our answers?
• What did you learn about a colleague or neighbor that surprised you?

Finished output: Completion of three geographic movement rounds with paired peer conversations.

Remote

Display an image of a world map on an interactive online whiteboard. Give each participant a digital pin with their name. Read each prompt, give participants 30 seconds to drag their pins to their chosen spot, and place people into breakout pairs for 90 seconds to discuss. If there is an odd number of participants, make one group of three or have the facilitator join the extra person.

Hybrid

Project the shared digital map board in the physical room. Remote participants move named digital pins on the board while in-person participants move on the floor. For the 90-second discussions, remote participants pair with each other in digital breakout rooms while in-person participants pair with someone standing near them on the floor.

Access and participation choices

• Participants who prefer not to walk or stand can point to locations on a printed or projected map, or name their chosen location aloud from their seat.
• Anyone can choose not to disclose personal origins or travel history by choosing an alternate location or observing without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Participants bunch together because geographic scale is ambiguous.

Remind everyone of the perimeter boundaries and encourage people to use the full room space, including corners for outlying regions.

A participant has mobility constraints and cannot navigate the floor quickly.

Invite them to anchor a specific continent from a chair or point to locations on a printed map.

Terms used here

• Anchor object: A physical object placed on the floor to serve as the reference origin for the room map.