The Sphere

“The Sphere” is an activity for communication and cooperation, like living a metaphor, through which we can experience visible, audible and tangible interactions. We can use it to guide and illustrate the following themes: coordination, reciprocal relationships and systemic interdependence, solidarity, consideration of others' needs, maintaining balance in a team (Circle), giving feedback, reflection (Microcosm). We can use The Sphere to re-energise the team after lunch or as an energiser to start a seminar.

“One of the main characteristics of efficiently functioning teams is a high degree of mutual support. In difficult times, each person knows for certain that the others will provide support when needed. For this reason, members of good teams are able to build mutual trust. The following activity deals with precisely this topic: How to succeed in creating a balanced system of trust that will guide us even through the most difficult times? To this end, I invite you to enter the Sphere with me.

ImplementationInitially, we accompany the participants inside the Sphere. We ask each person to take a couple of steps back to stretch the Sphere, which should be quite stretched, so that all participants can lean back comfortably. We can use these initial moments to build trust and create a feeling of stability and control. Once this has been achieved, we can proceed with one of the following dynamic exercises.

Roundabout 6-10 people are in the stretched sphere, suddenly, one person moves quickly into an empty space, bouncing off the wall of the sphere. Each participant has a chance to “unbalance” the group once, one after another. As soon as the group members have the feeling that they can stabilise each other, despite the pace of the dynamics, the speed can be increased. Thus, a very dynamic form of team coordination emerges.

Microcosmos If we want to emotionally promote authentic encounters, we need a safe and protected space. We stand or sit comfortably with up to 14 participants in the Sphere. Participants feel mutual support, and therefore we can discuss everything necessary.

Practical tip: Let's use the Sphere as a feedback space. During long workshops or training events, we can withdraw and set aside time to establish a feedback forum. We will soon notice how the welcoming and protected space affects the quality of the feedback.

Feedback After successfully completing the exercise, we recorded the results and answers on a flipchart. The following questions can help us guide the discussion:

“What was the key to solving this task?”, “What contribution did each person make?”, “Who gave us a sense of security?”, “What role did communication play in this activity?”, “How were we able to have fun and take responsibility at the same time?”, “Who supported whom and in what way?”, “How would we explain the results of this activity to a friend?”, “Summarise the most notable characteristics of successful teamwork, describe how it works and present the conclusions to the group”, “Where do we see parallels with our current situation / concerns?”, “In what specific team context could we offer support to our colleagues?”, “And in what situations do we need someone to help us?”, “Who contributed to our sense of balance and how?”, “How and when can what we have experienced here today be put into practice?”

Adviceácritic Is our group feeling tired and sluggish? Perhaps after lunch? The Sphere is a good way to boost energy levels again. And who knows, perhaps valuable feedback will be received in the end. Even if we present the Sphere as “just” a warm-up activity, the participants decide its true “meaning”.

Expect the unexpected: Based on our experience, we can state that different groups find slightly different solutions, which reflects true group dynamics. This provides a rich source of ideas for trainers who are willing to give their groups plenty of space for experimentation and spontaneous/unusual reactions. Everything that emerges can be used in a meaningful learning experience.

In the Orb's instructions you will find other usage suggestions.

Number of participants (min/opt/max)/XXL	4 / 12 / 18 – XXL 6 / 16 / 28
Weather	15 / 30 min
Space Required	Sheer
Themes and Results	Stimulation In the morning, after lunch. Team building: AR: Coordination, dependencies and interactions in systems, coherence in teams, respect for others, maintaining balance, common goal, trust… Master of Ceremonies Give feedback, reflection.
Content	1 elasticated fabric band (standard: 4.5 metres; XXL 6 metres), 1 bag, and detailed instructions.
Size and weight	30x40x13cm 3 kg
Price	210.00€ (XXL 240€) + VAT and shipping costs