.category
{ E/I Exercise}
.stage
{ Basics}
.note
{(The non-fishbowl version of this exercise recommended for Otto's Famous Eight Group Design)}
.title
{The Ideal Weekend}
.Minimum
{3 - 4 Es and 3 - 4 Is}
.Ideal
{6 - 8 Es and 6 - 8  Is}
.Maximum
{6 - 8 Es and 6 - 8 Is  -- This is the same number of participants as with the ideal number of participants because we have found that a group of eight is a sufficiently large group.}
.TimeMin
{20 minutes}
.TimeMax
{35 minutes (Time will vary by group size)}
.Object1
{To highlight the differences between E and I behavior}
.Object2
{To begin to understand the role of the E and I attitude in the communication process}
.Object3
{To underscore the need for appreciating the opposite behaviors on this preference (e.g., Es need Is in order to appreciate introspection and Is need Es in order to appreciate gregariousness)}
.Object4
{To help participants validate an E or I preference}
.Material1
{Flipchart paper (several sheets) for each group}
.material2
{Markers}
.Material3
{Masking tape}
.Material4
{E/I Highlights or Good E/I Words handouts (Optional)}
.Material5
{Enough chairs for exercise participants to form a fishbowl.  (See Variation under Trainer Instructions)}
.Instruct1
{Separate the participants into the two groups according to their preference scores or clarities for E and I.  Provide them with flipchart paper and markers.}
.Instruct2
{Give the participants the following instructions:}
.Box1
{"List on the flipchart paper how you would spend the ideal weekend.  You have 10 minutes to complete this assignment."}
.Instruct3
{<BI>Variation:<n>  This exercise also lends itself to a fishbowl format, especially with larger groups.  If you choose this format:}
.Varya
{Ask the chosen E and I groups to leave the room while you brief the participant observers.  Do not tell the groups which preference they are representing. }
.Varyb
{Arrange the exact number of chairs needed for one group at a time in a fishbowl.}
.varyc
{Ask the observers to look for differences, especially in regard to:<r>
<R>
     1) noise level<r>
     2) body language<r>
     3) content}
.Instruct4
{Call in the I group first and give the following instructions:}
.box2
{"Please spend a few minutes discussing your ideal weekend.  I will tell you when your time is up.  Please speak up so that others in the room can hear you."}
.Instruct5
{Monitor time but give between 5 and 10 minutes.  This can vary specially if the Is are ready to end early or if the Es are on a roll.}
.Instruct6
{Call the Es into the room and give the same instructions.  Invite the Is to become observers.}
.Debrief1
{When working with the non-fishbowl variation, have each group share verbally their reports without telling the participants which group is E or I.  Hear each group's report before processing the differences in the large group.}
.Debrief2
{With the fishbowl variation, after both groups have completed their discussion, share with them observers' assignment (e.g., noise level, content, body language).}
.Debrief3
{Ask the group:  "What, if any, differences did you observe?"}
.Debrief4
{Facilitate a discussion highlighting the differences.}
.Debrief5
{To complete the group debriefing, give a brief presentation and a handout to reinforce E/I differences and group learnings.  (See Good E/I Words and E/I Highlights handouts.)}
.Caution
{Be aware in this exercise, especially if doing a fishbowl, that the Is may feel uncomfortable.  Try to make them as comfortable as possible by thanking them for participating and by calling time in the exercise if they are uneasy and thanking them for participating.}
