Who Said That?

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Collect and share participants' topic-related backgrounds, expectations, or experiences through an anonymous card guessing game.

Use it when: Use at the start of a workshop or project kickoff to surface group experiences, worries, or baseline knowledge without putting individuals on the spot.

Skip it when: Skip when participants require total confidentiality or when topics involve sensitive personal disclosures that people would not want revealed during guessing.

Group arrangement: Parallel tables of 3 to 7 participants each.

Timing: Matches the 10 to 20 minute window in the source document.

Materials and tools

• 5 blank index cards per participant
• 1 pen or pencil per participant
• 1 score sheet or scrap paper per participant
• 1 flipchart or slide showing 4 to 5 numbered prompt questions
• 1 visible countdown timer for the room

Before participants arrive

1. Pre-write 4 or 5 topic-relevant questions on a flipchart or presentation slide.
2. Place a stack of 5 index cards, scrap paper for scoring, and a pen at each seat.
3. Arrange seating into small circles or tables of 3 to 7 people.

Say this to open

We are going to learn about each other's backgrounds and expectations. Look at the numbered questions on the flipchart. On each card, write the question number and your brief, honest answer. Do not put your name on the cards. Write clearly so someone else can read it aloud.

How to run it

1. Write prompt responses 4 minutes

   Display the numbered prompt questions. Have each person take one card per question, write the question number in the corner, and write their short answer without their name. For example, for Question 1 write '1' and 'Learn how our database handles backups'. When finished, participants place all cards face down in the center of their table.

2. Shuffle and deal cards 2 minutes

   At each table, have one volunteer thoroughly shuffle all face-down cards together. The volunteer deals the cards face down, one at a time, to everyone at the table until the pile is gone. Everyone keeps their dealt cards face down in front of them.

3. Run guessing rounds 10 minutes

   Start a 10-minute timer. The first person reads one card from their hand without showing it. Everyone else writes down their guess; the author writes their own name. The reader reveals guesses with a countdown. The author identifies themselves, and correct guessers score 1 point. Place the card face up in the center. If it is the final answer for that question, read it and skip guessing. Pass turns clockwise.

4. Reveal remaining cards and debrief 4 minutes

   Call time. Participants sum their points on their scrap paper, and the highest score at each table wins. Groups quickly read any unplayed cards in their hands, place them face up, and authors identify themselves. Ask 1 or 2 debrief questions across the whole room, taking 2 or 3 quick volunteer responses.

Debrief questions

• Which answer surprised you the most, and why?
• What common themes or shared worries showed up across our answers?

Finished output: A set of revealed background cards at each table summarizing participant expectations, skills, or perspectives.

Remote

Use a digital whiteboard with an intake area. Participants type numbered answers on identical digital sticky notes with color coding removed. A breakout host copies them into a closed breakout frame and covers them with opaque placeholder rectangles. In breakout rooms of 3 to 7, participants take turns uncovering and reading one note aloud. The current reader counts down in chat, and all others type their guess and press enter simultaneously. The author reveals themselves, individuals log their own points, and the breakout host moves the card to a visible answered pile by question number.

Hybrid

Form fully in-person table groups and fully remote breakout groups rather than mixed groups. Remote tables use the digital board workflow, while in-person tables use physical index cards. Whole-room debrief invites volunteer reflections from both cohorts.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may pass on writing an answer to any specific question by leaving the card blank or writing 'Pass'.
• If reading aloud or deciphering handwriting is a barrier, a neighbor may read the card on the person's behalf without showing it to the table.

If the session gets stuck

Participants show the card to the table, and others recognize the handwriting immediately.

Remind readers to keep the face of the card tilted toward themselves only, reading it aloud twice if someone needs repetition.

The author laughs or reacts visibly when their card is read aloud, giving away their identity before guesses are written.

Instruct all participants to keep a neutral poker face while cards are read, reminding authors to write down their own name as their official guess on their paper.

Terms used here

• Face down: Placing a card with the written side touching the table so text remains hidden.
• Process of elimination: Deducing the author without guessing because every other member's card for that prompt has already been identified and displayed.