The human knot

[Customize!] Act out a team value

Use the whole team to act out one of your company values in a single photo, without showing the words themselves. (Organizers: fill in the value to be acted out here, for example "customer first", "dare to fail" or "stronger together".)

[Customize!] How well do you know your team?

A question about your own team or company. (Organizers: come up with a question and add the answer, for example "Who has worked here the longest?", "What year was the company founded?" or "How many different nationalities work in this team?".)

Back-to-back drawing

Two team members sit back to back. One has an object or a simple drawing and describes it in words; the other draws it without looking and without asking questions. Take a photo of the original next to the drawing, so the resemblance (or the gap) is visible.

Blindfolded course

One team member closes their eyes (or pulls a jacket over their head). The rest guide this person past three obstacles to a finish point using only their voices: the blindfolded one cannot be touched. Record a video of the journey from start to finish.

One pen, all hands

Tie several strings (or shoelaces) to a single pen, one per team member. Everyone holds only a string, nobody touches the pen itself. Together, write your team name or draw a house on a sheet of paper. Take a photo of the result with every hand still on its string.

Pass it without hands

Stand in a line and pass an object (an orange, a cup, a roll of tape) from the first to the last person without using hands: only chin, neck, elbows or knees. Record a video of the whole relay in one go.

Shared balance

The whole team touches the ground together with as few contact points as possible: count the feet and hands touching the floor. Hold the position for at least five seconds without falling over. Record a video of the counting, the wobbling and the holding.

Silent line-up

Get the whole team into one line in order of birthday, from January 1st to December 31st. The catch: not a single word may be spoken, only gestures. Record a video of the team sorting itself out in sign language until the line is complete.

The group creation

Together, build a recognizable shape or artwork on the ground from things you find on the spot: jackets, bags, chairs, leaves, shoes. A big heart, a star, an animal. Take a photo from above so the shape is clearly visible.

The hidden skill

One team member shows a talent the rest of the team genuinely did not know about: a tongue roll, a dance move, juggling, a bird call, a strange joint trick. Record a short video of the talent in action.

The hoop pass

Stand in a circle and hold hands. Hang a hoop (or a jacket or scarf knotted into a ring) over two arms. Send the hoop one full lap around the circle without anyone letting go of hands: you have to step through it with your body. Record a video of the hoop making its lap.

The human machine

Build one big machine using the whole team, where each person is a moving part: a turning cog, a lever going up and down, a steam whistle that toots. Each part makes its own sound. Record a video of the machine running for a few seconds.

The living logo

Use the bodies of the whole team to form your company logo, or a well-known logo everyone recognizes. Lie down or stand in the right shape. Take a photo from above (from a stairwell, balcony or chair) so the logo is recognizable.

The tallest free-standing tower

Using only what you have around you right now (paper, cups, tape, staples, pens), build the tallest tower that stands completely on its own, so nobody is holding it up in the photo. Take a photo of the tower with the whole team behind it.

The team motto

Together, come up with a team motto of at most five words that fits how you want to work together. Write it big and legible on a sheet, a whiteboard or a piece of cardboard. Take a photo of the whole team holding up the motto.

The time capsule

Together, write one concrete goal on a note that you want the team to have reached a year from now. Take a photo of the note. Keep it for real and bring it back out in a year.