open · Icebreaker, Team Building · 15–25 min · 3-8 people · medium energy

Something in Common

Something in Common challenges small groups to identify unique shared interests or experiences. This activity encourages team members to learn about each other beyond their professional roles, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.

When to use Something in Common

Use this method to help team members discover common ground and build stronger relationships, especially in newly formed teams or after periods of change.

What it solves

Lack of familiarity among team members, superficial relationships, difficulty finding common ground.

How to run Something in Common, step by step

  1. Divide participants into small groups of 3-5 people. (2 minutes)
  2. Instruct each group to identify three unique things they all have in common. (15 minutes)
  3. Have each group share their findings with the larger group. (5 minutes)
  4. Facilitate a brief discussion about the commonalities discovered. (3 minutes)

Materials needed

  • Breakout room functionality (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
  • Timer

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage participants to think creatively and explore less obvious commonalities.
  • Set a time limit to keep the activity focused and engaging.

Common pitfalls

  • Groups struggling to find common ground: Suggest broad categories to start with and then narrow down the focus.
  • Participants dominating the conversation: Encourage everyone to participate and share their thoughts.

Variations

  • Remove broad categories (e.g., movies, books, food) to make the activity more challenging.
  • Play multiple rounds with different group compositions.

Running it online or hybrid

Utilize breakout rooms in virtual meeting platforms to facilitate small group discussions.

What it produces

Identified common interests and experiences, increased team cohesion.

Origin

Adapted from Teambuilding.com — source

Build a session around Something in Common

METODIC places Something in Common inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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