Fun Games That Can Improve Your Communication Skills

“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, heal, hinder, hurt, harm, humiliate, and humble.”

~Yehuda Berg

Communication is one of the hallmarks of self-development. In other words, it is essential that you have good communication skills, if you want to succeed in life. You also need them to be happy. In fact, people, who are able to communicate with others, are more likely to have healthy long-term relationships, a high self-esteem and self-confidence, and a variety of friends. More specifically, they tend to be well-regarded by almost everyone they encounter. Why is that? Well most people like to be around people, who speak well. In other words, they like to be around people, who can clearly get their points across because those individuals come across as charming, charismatic, intelligent, friendly, and relatable.

People, who lack good communication skills, can come across as dishonest, suspicious, and deceptive – even when they are not. Most people do not want to be around people, who they perceive as fake, suspicious, and dishonest. Is it fair - many times “no,” however “first impressions make all the difference, most of the time.” So, what can you do to improve your communication skills? Well, thankfully, there are quite a few things you can do to make yourself a better communicator. In fact, there are several fun games that you can play with others. These games are highly beneficial because they will help you become the effective communicator that you want to be!  Listed below are fun games that can improve your communication skills:

Who Am I?

A fun game to play that can improve your communication skills is “Who Am I?” This group game involves role playing, which is an excellent way to demonstrate healthy communication techniques. Begin “Who Am I?” by placing several scenarios in a hat or bag and asking each person to draw a scenario out of it. Each person, one-by-one, is asked to “act” out the scenario. Note: Make sure each scenario utilizes a specific communication technique. Also, you may have to assign two or three people to one scenario, so that it is “acted out” properly. Therefore, if possible, try to commission a large group of people (i.e. co-workers, family members, and friends) to participate in this game.   

After the individual or group finishes performing the scenario, ask the other members of the group to explain how the characters miscommunicated, and how they could communicate more effectively. Have the individual or group, perform the scenario again, but this time ask him/her or the group to utilize the suggestions from the other group members. Repeat this activity until all of the people in the group have performed their scenarios twice (one time the incorrect way on the slip of paper, and one time with more effective communication strategies).

Simon Says

A really fun, interactive communication game that you can play with friends and family is “Simon Says.” Do you remember that game? If so, you know that it is a child’s game, in which lights (red, green, orange, and yellow) light up, and the child has to quickly hit the color on the disk that is lit up. If the child is not quick enough or hits the wrong color, it makes a buzzer sound. Well, this “Simon Says” is the adult, communication-based improv version. This form of “Simon Says,” requires at least 2 participants. The purpose of this game is to help you think and communicate quickly. If the group is larger than two, assign everyone in the group a partner. Begin this game by creating a “two-some” (a couple).

Explain to the “two-some” that the “host” will call out random things to do and say to one another. Some of things you may be asked to say or do to one another may be flirty, fun, silly, or sexy. The individuals (the “two-some”) in the “hot seat” must do or say what is asked of them. Note: Discuss the level of “sexiness” to be included in the game, before you start it. You do not want anyone to be uncomfortable or the activity will fail. Ask that each “two-some” perform various activities. The goal of this game is to show you that communicating can be fun!

How Much Do You Really Know About Me?

Another equally fun communication game is “How Much Do You Really Know About Me?” This game involves pairing up in couples, and having each person in the “two-some” write down on a sheet of paper, three random things about their partner. Note: Even if the two people do not know each other, ask them to write what they think of their partner, and/or what they can guess about their partner. It does not have to be correct, but it should be positive. No negativity allowed. Have both individuals perform this task at the same time.

Then, ask them to reveal what is written on their papers. Ask both individuals to listen without interrupting. Once the partner that is speaking finishes, allow the other partner to accept or reject what was written about him or her. Next ask that person to clarify or correct what was written about him or her. Once the partner finishes rebutting what was written about him or her, ask him or her to provide three true and interesting facts about himself or herself. Reverse roles and have the other partner do the same. Repeat this exercise until everyone has participated. This is a good “ice breaker” for any occasion, and it is a great way to improve your communication skills.   

- Dr. R. Y. Langham

References:

Brainy Quote. (2015). Communication quotes. Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_communication.html

Robinson, L., Segal, J., & Segal, R. (2015). Effective communication. Help Guide. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-communication.htm

Tiwari, M. (2011). Communication skills activities. Buzzle. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/communication-skills-activities.html