45 Change Management Activities, Games & Exercises for Employees

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Frame

   Discuss why resistance is normal and useful to surface.

   5 min
2. 2

   Role-Play Objections

   Small groups voice common objections aloud.

   5 min
3. 3

   Brainstorm Responses

   Teams craft empathetic responses to each objection.

   5 min
4. 4

   Share and Refine

   Present responses and refine with group feedback.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Resistance Identification?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Define the Change

   State the specific change being analysed.

   5 min
2. 2

   List Driving Forces

   Brainstorm forces pushing change forward onto sticky notes.

   5 min
3. 3

   List Restraining Forces

   Capture forces holding the change back on another column.

   5 min
4. 4

   Score Impact

   Assign impact scores to each force and total each side.

   5 min
5. 5

   Design Strategies

   Plan actions that boost drivers and weaken restraints.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Force-Field Analysis?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Cross Naturally

   Ask everyone to cross their arms in their usual, comfortable way and notice how it feels.

   5 min
2. 2

   Reverse the Position

   Now ask participants to uncross and recross arms in the opposite way.

   5 min
3. 3

   Reflect on Discomfort

   Invite participants to describe the discomfort and link it to organizational change.

   5 min
4. 4

   Discuss Adaptability

   Facilitate a group conversation about embracing discomfort as a step toward adaptability.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Cross Your Arms?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Create the Survey

   Draft a short survey on understanding, concerns, and support.

   5 min
2. 2

   Distribute Anonymously

   Share via an online tool to encourage honest answers.

   5 min
3. 3

   Analyze Responses

   Look for trends in strengths and concerns.

   5 min
4. 4

   Follow-Up Meeting

   Discuss results and plan next steps with the team.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Change Readiness Survey?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Share Org Vision

   Restate the organizational vision in plain terms.

   5 min
2. 2

   Group Visioning

   Small groups draft their picture of team success.

   5 min
3. 3

   Present Findings

   Each group presents its vision to the room.

   5 min
4. 4

   Find the Gaps

   Compare drafts to the org vision and mark gaps.

   5 min
5. 5

   Plan Bridges

   Agree on actions that close the gaps.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Vision Alignment?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Discuss Why Comms Matter

   Explain how clear messaging drives engagement.

   5 min
2. 2

   Develop the Plan

   Draft messages, audiences, channels, and timing.

   5 min
3. 3

   Build Feedback Loops

   Decide how to collect feedback on messaging.

   5 min
4. 4

   Finalize Roles

   Confirm who delivers what and by when.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Communication Planning?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Introduce the Map

   Explain what stakeholder mapping reveals.

   5 min
2. 2

   Identify Stakeholders

   List individuals and groups affected by the change.

   5 min
3. 3

   Create the Visual Map

   Place each stakeholder by support and resistance.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build Engagement Plans

   Design tailored actions for each segment.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Stakeholder Mapping?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Discuss SMART Criteria

   Review specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.

   5 min
2. 2

   Brainstorm Actions

   List the steps needed to implement the change.

   5 min
3. 3

   Assign Responsibilities

   Match each step to a clear owner.

   5 min
4. 4

   Develop Timelines

   Add milestones, deadlines, and tracking format.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Action Planning?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Identify Change Agents

   Name the agents and the change they will lead.

   5 min
2. 2

   Map Key Steps

   Outline communication, training, and stakeholder plans.

   5 min
3. 3

   Share Approaches

   Each agent presents their plan to the group.

   5 min
4. 4

   Solve Challenges

   Discuss likely challenges and agree on responses.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during The Change Agent?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Form Two Circles

   Arrange chairs in an inner and outer circle.

   5 min
2. 2

   Inner Circle Discusses

   Inner group discusses a change topic while outer group listens.

   5 min
3. 3

   Swap Roles

   After 10 minutes the circles swap places.

   5 min
4. 4

   Whole-Group Debrief

   Discuss what surfaced and what listening revealed.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Fishbowl Discussion?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Brainstorm Values

   List core values that matter most across the organization.

   5 min
2. 2

   Map Connections

   Show how values link and reinforce each other.

   5 min
3. 3

   Rank Criticality

   Mark which values are most critical right now.

   5 min
4. 4

   Plan Promotion

   Agree on actions that promote values across teams.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Values Mapping?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Introduce Backwards Mapping

   Explain how working back from the future clarifies steps.

   5 min
2. 2

   Envision Success

   Picture success one to two years out.

   5 min
3. 3

   List Key Milestones

   Brainstorm milestones needed along the way.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build the Timeline

   Map milestones backward to today on a whiteboard.

   5 min
5. 5

   Share Insights

   Discuss what stands out from the map.

   5 min
6. 6

   Set First Steps

   Agree on the first short-term actions to take.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Future Backwards Mapping?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Pair Up

   Match each person with a colleague whose role differs from theirs.

   5 min
2. 2

   Brief Each Other

   Spend five minutes explaining your key responsibilities.

   5 min
3. 3

   Swap and Try

   Swap roles and attempt a typical task for 15 to 30 minutes.

   5 min
4. 4

   Debrief Together

   Share what surprised you and what new respect you gained.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Role Reversal?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Review Current Mission

   Read the existing mission statement aloud and discuss its fit.

   5 min
2. 2

   Brainstorm Ideas

   Capture fresh mission ideas on sticky notes.

   5 min
3. 3

   Draft New Versions

   Small teams draft revised statements in plain words.

   5 min
4. 4

   Present and Refine

   Share drafts, gather feedback, and finalize one direction.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Mission Redesign?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Draw the Matrix

   Sketch four quadrants for certainty and impact.

   5 min
2. 2

   List Uncertainties

   Small groups list current uncertainties on sticky notes.

   5 min
3. 3

   Place on Matrix

   Position each note in the right quadrant.

   5 min
4. 4

   Present Findings

   Each group walks through its placements.

   5 min
5. 5

   Brainstorm Strategies

   Plan responses for each quadrant.

   5 min
6. 6

   Reflect on Adaptability

   Discuss how to lead adaptively from here.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Uncertainty Matrix?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Introduce the Scenario

   Introduce the change game: each team starts at the bottom of the journey board and must roll, move, and complete challenges to advance through transformation stages.

   5 min
2. 2

   Make Round 1 Decisions

   Teams roll the dice and land on a stage. Each square presents a real change scenario (e.g., resistance from a peer, ambiguous direction from a leader) that requires a decision.

   5 min
3. 3

   See the Consequences

   Reveal the outcome of each decision: points awarded for behaviours that move the team forward, lost for choices that increase resistance or delay adoption.

   5 min
4. 4

   Adapt the Strategy

   After each round, teams debrief and adapt their strategy. The team with the most change points at the final square wins, but the bigger win is the shared playbook of effective change behaviours.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Gamified Change Journey?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Review Past Change Logs

   Share recent change logs or reports with each group.

   5 min
2. 2

   Spot Recurring Behaviours

   Small groups mark behaviours that repeat across cases.

   5 min
3. 3

   Share Findings

   Each group presents its pattern map to the room.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build Strategies

   Agree on actions that address the most common patterns.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Pattern Identification?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Tell Culture Stories

   Each side shares stories that show its culture.

   5 min
2. 2

   Map Shared Values

   Spot values that overlap across both organizations.

   5 min
3. 3

   Identify Differences

   Acknowledge cultural differences with respect.

   5 min
4. 4

   Plan Daily Practices

   Agree on small daily rituals that live the shared values.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Culture and Change?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Frame Resilience

   Open with why resilience matters in teams facing change.

   5 min
2. 2

   Share Personal Stories

   Each member shares a challenge and how they overcame it.

   5 min
3. 3

   Spot Common Themes

   Capture recurring resilience themes on a board.

   5 min
4. 4

   Commit to Support

   Agree on small actions that reinforce team resilience daily.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Bounce Back?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Frame Resilience

   Discuss why resilience matters most in uncertain times.

   5 min
2. 2

   Share in Small Groups

   Leaders share a personal resilience story.

   5 min
3. 3

   Find Common Themes

   Surface what helped each leader bounce back.

   5 min
4. 4

   Agree on Actions

   Identify steps each leader will take with their team.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Bounce Back (Uncertain)?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?