open · Icebreaker · 15–30 min · 3-15 people · medium energy
Two Truths and a Lie
A classic social game where participants share three personal statements, one of which is false, to spark curiosity and conversation. It serves as a low-stakes way to reveal personal interests and history within a professional setting.
When to use Two Truths and a Lie
To humanize colleagues and break the initial tension in a new team or at the start of a long workshop.
What it solves
Awkward silences and lack of personal connection in newly formed remote teams.
How to run Two Truths and a Lie, step by step
- Give participants 2 minutes to write down two true facts and one believable lie about themselves.
- One person reads their three statements aloud without giving away the lie (1 minute).
- The rest of the group discusses and votes on which statement they believe is the lie (2 minutes).
- The speaker reveals the truth and provides a brief 30-second backstory for the true facts.
Materials needed
- Digital notepad or sticky notes
- Video conferencing tool with chat/polling
Facilitator tips
- Encourage participants to pick 'boring' truths and 'extraordinary' lies to make it harder.
- Keep the reveal brief to maintain momentum.
Common pitfalls
- Participants taking too long to think of facts
- One person dominating the guessing discussion
Variations
- Two Truths and a Dream (one thing you want to do in the future instead of a lie)
Running it online or hybrid
Use the chat function for voting to keep the pace fast and ensure remote participants aren't talked over.
What it produces
A collection of 'fun facts' about team members that can be referenced in future small talk.
Origin
Adapted from ClickUp's Virtual Team Building Guide — source
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