Find Common Ground

4.5

(1,765 ratings)

Small groups discover what they all have in common, promoting connection and revealing unexpected similarities.

Find Common Ground challenges small groups to discover what all members share in common. Starting with obvious connections and progressing to unique similarities, this icebreaker helps participants find unexpected common ground. It is excellent for building team cohesion and demonstrating that people are more alike than they might think.

15-25 min6-30 peopleindoor

No MaterialsCorporateSmall GroupsAdults

Getting to Know YouTeam Building

Objective

Help participants discover shared experiences and build connections through commonalities.

Materials Needed

Paper and pens (optional)
Timer

How to Play

1

Form Small Groups

2 min

Divide participants into groups of 4-6 people. Mix up existing friend groups if possible.

2

Explain the Challenge

2 min

Groups must find things that ALL members have in common. Set a target (e.g., find 5-10 things).

3

Discover Commonalities

12 min

Groups discuss to find shared experiences, preferences, traits, etc. Encourage going beyond obvious things.

4

Share with Larger Group

7 min

Each group shares their most interesting or unexpected commonalities.

5

Reflect

2 min

Discuss how it felt to discover common ground and what surprised them.

Pro Tips

facilitationImportant

Encourage groups to go beyond obvious workplace or location-based commonalities.

Variations

Try these variations to adapt the game for different contexts and group sizes.

Common Ground Bingo

Create a bingo card of potential commonalities to guide discovery.

Changes:

Additional Materials

Pre-printed bingo cards

Points for Uniqueness

Award more points for commonalities that fewer groups discovered.

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