🤝 Common Ground

How to Play

Common Ground is a deceptively simple game with profound results. Split the group into smaller teams of 3-6 people. Each team's mission: find as many things as possible that ALL team members have in common. The catch? Obvious answers like 'we all work here' or 'we all have a pulse' are not allowed. Teams must dig deeper to discover genuine shared experiences, interests, or traits. The team with the most unique commonalities wins. Along the way, participants discover surprising connections with people they thought they had nothing in common with.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Divide the group into teams of 3-6 people. Use the Team Randomizer tool if needed.
2. Explain the rules: find things ALL team members share. No obvious or work-related answers.
3. Give teams 5-8 minutes to brainstorm and discover their common ground.
4. Each team designates one person to keep a list of discovered commonalities.
5. After time is up, each team reads their list aloud. Disqualify any that are not truly universal to the team.
6. The team with the longest list of unique, verified commonalities wins.

Tips for Hosts

• Encourage teams to go beyond surface level. The best answers surprise everyone.
• Give examples of good commonalities: 'We all have a sibling,' 'We all prefer tea over coffee.'
• For virtual teams, use breakout rooms and have teams collaborate in a shared document.
• Consider awarding bonus points for the most surprising or creative commonality.
• Debrief afterward: ask teams what surprised them most about what they discovered.

Best Use Cases

• Team building workshops: The ideal exercise for newly formed or reorganized teams.
• Diversity and inclusion training: Reveals that people have more in common than they assume.
• Classroom community: Helps students from different backgrounds find shared ground.
• Conference networking: A structured icebreaker that turns strangers into connections.

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