This exercise from Rich Lucas demonstrates why strategy setting need not lead to over-elaborate plans.

Here's one for you, all you need is a glass of water per delegate, it can be done at the desk. The objective is to get the water into their mouths. To do this , they will try a number of methods and make a note of the results.

Firstly, they will have a mini strategy meeting to talk about a plan how they are going to get the water into their mouth

Secondly, they will try and coach the water (stay with me!) out of the glass and into their mouth

Then, they plead with the water;

Shout at the water;

And sweet talk the water.

After all this (where you as facilitator will ask them after each method how they got on).They will just do the final one which will be to pick the water up and drink it.

The point? When setting strategy or anything else, take the simplest, most direct route to your goal.

View the original posting:

Ice-breaker for strategy setting workshop
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