Cool Facilitation Toys

It's a dirty secret in the world of facilitation that we're all just kids who want to play.

Anytime facilitators get together, the conversation ends up at questions like, "what games do you use?" or "found any good exercises?".

Here's one for you. Sherryl found this one for me a couple months ago, and we've been using it quite a bit.

It's called a thumball. We got it from Trainers Warehouse.

It's simple and fun. You throw the ball from one person to another. As someone catches it, they look at what segment rests under their right thumb and answer the question like, "where you grew up" or "best fast food". It's a great icebreaker - fast, physical, and low-risk.

Try it!!

How To Be Global (Part Two): A Reference Library

Making friends in Seoul, South Korea

Yesterday, I mentioned that in this global environment, we're all similar and yet we're all different.

One example of that is that we all like music and movies - but different cultures will like different kinds of music and movies.

One of my favorite ways to bridge the culture gap is to learn about popular music and cinema in the countries that I visit and work in.

I often open a conversation or presentation by discussing the movie I just saw.

It builds rapport, as most Indians, Chinese, Koreans or Japanese can't believe that you'd actually watch a local movie. If you actually like it, they're thrilled!

In that spirit, I've made a list at Amazon of my favorite Asian books, movies and music.

But hey, if it's art or sports that makes you tick - then go that direction.

hues asian film collection

hues asian music collection

hues asian culture bookshelf

You can find plenty of clips of the bands and singers on YouTube. 

I'll whet your appetite with Anggun, from Indonesia, singing "Snow on the Sahara".