I do not know about you, but the summer months make me nostalgic. I love thinking back to when I was a kid and summers meant running the neighborhood with friends, playing hide and seek, getting grass burns from sliding off the Slip & Slide, and hours of playing cards with my grandparents. But my favorite summer game was always Rock, Paper, Scissors. I could play with a group of my girlfriends forever. In fact, I still love it today! It is the ultimate game you can play anytime, anywhere, with anyone and all you need are your hands (and a little luck!)! My daughter and I play on the airplane or when we are bored waiting for food in a restaurant. If you are trying to decide who goes first on a board game…Rock, Paper, Scissors! Recently I even came across a video where Tadej Pogacar and Rafal Majka played Rock, Paper, Scissors during a bike race to see who would win the Tour of Slovenia (watch the video in this short article!).
As a Rock, Paper, Scissors lover I was so excited to watch our newest Certified Master, Candi Harris, facilitate the game during one of our virtual workshops. She brought so much energy and fun to the game! Everyone got involved and wanted to be crowned the champion. Even folks who were “camera off” most of the day turned their camera on for a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors!
Now that we are starting to facilitate workshops in person again, I cannot wait to bring Rock, Paper, Scissors to the classroom!
I know you are eager to know how you can pull this off in a variety of environments. So…let me tell you!
First off, you must remember the basics:
- How do you play?
- The lead person says Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot. When you hear shoot you throw out your hand gesture (laying it on the opposing hand).
- The hand gestures are:
- Rock (fist),
- Paper (flat hand), or
- Scissors (a sideways peace sign)
- How do you win?
- Paper covers (beats) Rock
- Scissors cut (beats) Paper
- Rock smashes (beats) Scissors
If you are playing virtually, pick one person to be the lead. Everyone else is playing against the lead. The lead says Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot. Based on the hand gesture of the lead, people either lose and are out (turn off your cameras but keep your mic on so you can cheer loudly!) or beat the lead (who will then be out). If the lead is still in the game, they continue calling Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot. Once the lead is beat, they appoint a new lead. This continues until you reach one winner and crown the champion!
Now let us up the ante a little and play Rock, Paper, Scissors, Posse!
If you have a group of people – say ten or so, you can play Rock, Paper, Scissors, Posse. Want to learn how to play that? Watch this fun video of youth playing at summer camp!
I know you are thinking, yes Kim, but those are kids. How does this apply to me and my work?
Get real!
Well…check out this fun video. It is adults…in work clothes…at a conference…having just as much fun!
What I love about Rock, Paper, Scissors, Posse is how easy it is to Encourage the Heart of those around you while playing a simple game. Think of the related Encourage the Heart Practices.
- #5 – Praise people for a job well done. (Whoop – whoop Sandra, that was awesome!!!)
- #10 – Make it a point to let people know you have confidence in them. (I have faith in you, Ron! You got this!)
- #30 – Get personally involved in recognizing people and celebrating accomplishments. (I think the videos speak for themselves!)
So, if you are looking for a way to bring a little fun, team-building, and encouragement to your next meeting, conference, plane ride, or even Tour of Slovenia, remember our friend Candi Harris and the game of Rock, Papers, Scissors (Posse)!
