Group-dynamic games are games that teach and reflect certain group dynamics as well as interpersonal relationships:

• relationships between two people
• relationships between a person and a group
• relationships between groups

Group-dynamic games are usually designed for the specific purpose of furthering personal development and character building. They have a proven history in conflict resolution, anger management and many more areas. Many stem from big successes in drug rehabilitation and from therapies dealing with other major dramas like war experiences.

Group-dynamic games are games that teach and reflect certain group dynamics as well as interpersonal relationships:

• relationships between two people
• relationships between a person and a group
• relationships between groups

Group-dynamic games are usually designed for the specific purpose of furthering personal development and character building. They have a proven history in conflict resolution, anger management and many more areas. Many stem from big successes in drug rehabilitation and from therapies dealing with other major dramas like war experiences.

Contents

1 Types of group-dynamic games 2 How do I start a group for group-dynamic games? 3 Win-win games 3.1 Literature

Types of group-dynamic games

• certain types of dancing
• ice-breaker games
• leadership-games
• psycho-drama
• role-playing games
• team-building games
• trust-building games
• win-win games (= 'cooperative games', 'new games')

How do I start a group for group-dynamic games?

• get a book on this subject written by a professional.
• make sure you have background knowledge on leadership, teamwork, group dynamics, basic psychology.
• the more intense work you want to do, the more background knowledge and experience you as (one of) the group facilitator(s) should have.
• know your limits.
• care for a comfortable room and a relaxed atmosphere.
• participants should wear comfortable clothing.
• care for a minimum of disturbances during sessions (no visitors during sessions etc).
• treat the event holistically: care for body, mind and spirit.
• be aware that we learn best (experince things most intense) when seeing, hearing and touching is involved at the same time (audio, visual, kinestetic aspects).
• some knowledge of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and transaction analysis is useful, but not necessary.
• only the facilitator keeps an eye on the time (nobody wears a watch).
• start with ice-breaker games.
• then introduce trust-building games.
• allow for time slots for feedback.
• use time-outs to clarify problems.
• enjoy and have fun, but understand the serious sides of the exercises as well.

There are books on the market which help you to set up groups (fun groups or self-help groups) and which tell you which games are safe to play without a professional (psychologist etc) being at hand.

Win-win games

Win-win games are also called 'cooperative games', 'new games' or 'games without losers'.

Group-dynamic win-win games have been increasingly popular since the end of the Vietnam war and have been successfully applied to all levels of society for many good uses.

Group-dynamic win-win games emphasize the importance of cooperation, fun, sharing, caring and over-all group success in contrast to domination, egotistic behaviour and personal gain. All players are treated as equally important and valuable. Win-win games often also carry an ethical message of caring for the environment and a holistic approach to life and society. Win-win games are a powerfull tool to give people self-confidence and a 'we' experience, especially when they have suffered from emotional isolation.

Example: All players try to carry a huge 'earth ball' (several meters in diameter) over their head while negotiating an obstacle course. This is a typical example of a win-win game for several reasons:

• there are no losers (everyone enjoys the accomplished task).
• all players are involved (no-one is left out or sits out).
• the earth symbolises responsibility for our environment (ethics is coming into play).
• the game is psychologically working on many levels (communication, supporting each other, having fun in a group etc)
• the game is gentle on mind, body and soul (low risk of injury or harm).

One of the strongest promoters of cooperative games has been games facilitator and author Martin Schwarz. Born in Vienna, Austria, he taught and managed between 1970 and 1980 for eight years in the USA. He joined the New Games Foundation , which was founded in order to further fantasy, creativity and communication. Martin Schwarz applied cooperative games for the first time to the lecturing of management, leadership and adult education. In 1982 Martin Schwarz received the US-prize for International Cultural Management . Later he returned to Vienna, where he taught at the university and was the head of the Management Club of the Austrian Economic Society .

Note that there are also mathematical win-win games; the mathematical name for them is non-zero-sum games. In mathematics such games are often simply represented by a matrix of pay-outs.

Literature

• 'Der Spielende Manager', Martin Schwarz, Mainz 1987, Namokel und Tosch KG. A book on win-win games.