open · Icebreaker · 15–30 min · 4-25 people · medium energy

Guess Whose Workspace

Participants submit photos of their home office or a specific desk item that reflects their personality, and the group guesses the owner. This exercise humanizes remote colleagues by providing a glimpse into their personal environments and daily lives.

When to use Guess Whose Workspace

To build personal connections and break down the 'professional mask' in a safe, visual way at the start of a meeting.

What it solves

The feeling of isolation or 'transactional' relationships common in remote teams.

How to run Guess Whose Workspace, step by step

  1. Ask participants to submit a photo of their desk or a unique workspace item 24 hours before the session (2 mins per person).
  2. Display the photos one by one on a shared screen without revealing the owner (1 min per photo).
  3. Use the chat or a poll for the group to guess who the workspace belongs to (2 mins).
  4. Reveal the owner and give them 60 seconds to share the story behind an item in the photo (1 min).

Materials needed

  • Pre-submitted photos
  • Slide deck or digital whiteboard
  • Screen sharing capability

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage people to submit 'honest' photos rather than staged ones for more authenticity.
  • Watch for common themes like plants, pets, or specific tech to spark side conversations.

Common pitfalls

  • Privacy concerns: Make it optional for those uncomfortable sharing their home environment.
  • Technical lag: Pre-load all images into one file to avoid switching windows.

Variations

  • Guess the Fridge: Same concept but with the inside of their refrigerator.
  • Guess the View: Photos taken looking out of their nearest window.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared Miro board or a slide deck where photos are pre-loaded. Ensure remote participants' photos are treated with the same visibility as in-room participants.

What it produces

A gallery of team workspace photos and shared personal anecdotes.

Origin

Adapted from Outback Team Building & Training — source

Build a session around Guess Whose Workspace

METODIC places Guess Whose Workspace inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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