Out off the Circle Activity

The ability to persuade people is an argumentative skill in both personal and professional life. The out of the circle is a fun exercise as it engages everyone in a simple yet powerful scenario.

To really get the most out of this exercise, it is necessary to conclude it with a space for review, reflection and discussion. The coordinator should take notes during the exercise, since each person can play with different strategies.

Lay a rope in a tight circle on the ground to create a play area. Ask for two volunteers, choose two who are very competitive or who you think are very persuasive.

The goal is to coax the other person out of the playing area completely, without touching them or using any physical force. Set up the environment like a wrestling match where one needs to push the other out of a circular area.

Ask the two volunteers to stand in the middle of the circle and the rest of the group to stay outside the circle. Explain that the goal of the players is to get the other person out of the circle just by talking, they cannot touch each other.

The rest of the group may participate, only verbally, taking sides with any of the players.

The rules are:

• You may not touch or use physical force on any person.
• They can use any influence technique they want, including arguments, conferences, deception, diplomacy, bribery, etc.
• Ask the rest of the group to encourage and encourage the people in the play area.
• The game ends if a contestant is talked out of the circle or if time runs out. Game time is 15 minutes.

Moment of Reflection

• Who really won this match? The person who stayed in the circle or the person who left in exchange for something he negotiated?
• What influence strategies were used?
• Which person’s methods do you think were more effective? Who was more convincing?
• Did any of the contestants offer anything in exchange for the other person dating?
• What was offered and accepted or not? How did the contestants negotiate about this?
• What was the role of the public (the rest of the participants)? Did the public offer help and advice or influence the decisions of somehow?
• What is the most important lesson you have learned in this exercise regarding persuasion skills?

The topics of this publication: interactions, negotiation, argumentation, make agreements, strategy