Trainers Warehouse RSVP - Challenging Assumptions: Creative Problem Solving Activity for Team Building, Leadership Training, and Innovation Workshops($396.00Value)

Description

Boost Creative Problem Solving in Minutes – This fast-paced activity (10–20 min) helps teams uncover hidden assumptions, spark innovation, and develop critical thinking skills, making it perfect for leadership training, team building, and workplace workshops. Engaging & Insightful Team-Building Exercise – Participants experience “aha!” moments while learning to challenge mental models and improve collaboration, communication, and problem-solving abilities in any corporate or professional setting. Complete Group Training Kit – Includes four color-coded puzzles (red, blue, green, orange), facilitator guide, debrief instructions, and reflection prompts—supports small groups of 3–4 or up to 16 participants for interactive team workshops. Easy-to-Use Materials, Maximum Impact – No complex tools required: simple cards and instructions deliver powerful results, helping teams confidently tackle challenges, unlock creativity, and drive innovation in training sessions or strategy meetings. Versatile Innovation & Leadership Tool – Perfect for team building, corporate training, workshops, and innovation labs; award-winning design engages participants, encourages creative thinking, and delivers measurable learning outcomes. BROUGHT TO YOU BY TRAINERS WAREHOUSE: The professional’s choice for employee training and motivation products, featuring our game show buzzers, conversation balls, icebreakers, team-building games, fidgets, debriefing tools, signage, and appreciation rewards. For over 30 years, we've improved participation and engagement with innovative tools that help trainers and educators in many industries. Whether working remotely or returning to the office, we have the perfect product for you.

Breaking Patterns to build Innovation Skills

So simple but such a powerful message! This activity lasts between 10 and 20 minutes and is an ideal way of raising the awareness of a group of learners about the pre-conceptions and assumptions we bring into new situations. This is very valuable in problem-solving or innovative thinking processes as it highlights how we can limit our thinking and reject new possibilities if they do not fit with our existing patterns.

Each toolbox contains two puzzles allowing two groups of 3 to 6 learners to work on each puzzle, comparing and contrasting approaches to 'Challenging Assumptions'.

Learners working with this activity, aware that it is being used on programs with an element of creative thinking or innovation, often say things such as, "I'm going into this with a really open mind" or "I'm not going to make any assumptions about this." However, these words are often uttered as they are making those very assumptions! As they realize this, the response is often laughter, surprise and a genuine recognition of the strength of some of our personal mental models.

Use this exercise at the start of any creative thinking or problem-solving process or to illustrate the need to make a significant change in strategy!

This activity works particularly well in small groups (3 or 4 people) with a number of observers. If the players are asked to "think aloud" and describe what they are doing and thinking, observers can note the patterns that either limit or progress their problem-solving. It is illuminating to see how often people will identify new approaches and then reject them as being stupid, or hold on to past experiences, such as looking for corners amongst the pieces. With little facilitation, they soon recognize the need to be confident, bold and creative when tackling an unknown task!