“Even though we’ve worked together for a while, no one seems to know very much about the other people in the group. Is there a fun and simple technique that will help us learn more about our fellow participants?”
5. Two Truths and a Lie
What Is Two Truths and a Lie?
Two Truths and a Lie is a team-building exercise that provides your meeting participants with personal information that reveals more about the other team members as individuals. By having fun and revealing pieces of trivia about themselves, people expose parts of their background and interests that other group members didn’t know before. This information can help build a more intimate and productive relationship among people within your group.
When to Use Two Truths and a Lie
- When you want a quick, fun exercise to help build relationships among meeting participants
- When you want to use a different form of introduction (see Introductions, technique 1) with a group that has already worked together in the past
How to Use Two Truths and a Lie
Before the Meeting
- Put Two Truths and a Lie on your agenda.
OPTION: Depending on the size of your group, this can be used as a large or small group exercise.
NOTE: If you choose to use this technique in small groups, decide how to break up the groups ahead of time. Ask small groups to nominate one favorite example to share with the larger group.
- Prepare a chart explaining the exercise, such as the below.
| TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
1. Take a few minutes to silently think of TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE about yourself. 2. Share your TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE with the others in the group. 3. Let others guess which statement is the lie. 4. Confirm with the group which one is the real lie. |
During the Meeting
- Introduce Two Truths and a Lie to the group and explain to the group how to prepare for the exercise using a chart or overhead similar to the one above to reinforce the explanation.
Consider using yourself as an example. You might say, for example, “I grew up on a farm with nine brothers and sisters; I was fired twice as a waitress; and I’m an avid downhill skier. Guess which one isn’t true.”
- Complete the exercise, giving each participant time to share his or her Two Truths and a Lie. After a participant has shared his or her three personal statements, ask the group to guess which is the lie. After a few moments of guessing, ask the participant to share which of the three statements was the lie. Then move on, until you have heard from each participant.
Summary
Two Truths and a Lie helps the group build rapport and know each other better as individuals.
Before the Meeting
- Include Two Truths and a Lie on your agenda.
- Prepare the instructions on a chart or overhead.
During the Meeting
1. Introduce Two Truths and a Lie to the group and explain to the group how to prepare for the exercise.
2. Complete the exercise.