1… 2… 3… Mind Meld

Chances are, you have already played Mind Meld. If not, then most likely you’ve heard of it. And – no – I’m not talking about the Star Trek and Vulcans. 😉

Mind Meld is a popular game we often play in PREXcoaching® sessions, as part of practicing different skills in various parts of the session.

This is a well-known improvisational game, which became popular with the rise of improv communities. With time, it has surpassed the original scope of improvisation and theater and become a widely used activity in team building and corporate settings, education, therapy and training, as well as game nights and casual get-togethers.

It’s usually played in pairs but can also work in small groups. The goal is to say the same word as your partner through a series of associations. There are different variations of how to play the game. One or both players count either up from one to three or down from three to one, and both say a random word. If they haven’t said the same word, they count again, trying to find a common association between the words they’ve said. Once they say the same word, “Mind Meld” is achieved.

This game is quick and fairly easy, though it may be quite challenging in practice. It works well either in person or online and spans a wide range of skills.

It encourages fast thinking, cognitive agility and making associations through a fast build-up of connection between words.

Furthermore, it enhances teamwork and collaboration as players need to rely on different types of communication and group/pair intuition as opposed to acting individually. In addition, they also hone their active listening, as well as pacing and leading skills.

Obviously, looking for common solutions inevitably polishes players’ problem-solving skills, but it also boosts creativity while fostering out-of-the-box thinking.

In terms of practicality, Mind Meld is an excellent icebreaker, but also a wonderful activity for winding down sessions, though it may work equally well as the main exercise, especially if the focus is on active listening and similar skills.

And of course – the satisfaction of achieving the same goal is beyond fun and guaranteed to keep players engaged.

Have you ever played Mind Meld? What’s your experience with it? Get in touch, and let us know.

If you find this post useful, share Mind Meld with your friends and family.

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