Risk working

Exercises, games and techniques that are used in a conference situation to raise the level of interpersonal trust and the ability and willingness to risk personally their own commitment and contribution to the creative process. Risk triggering activities emphasize an immediate and even sudden involvement under the guidance of a charismatic facilitator. The costs of the deep interventions need to be rapidly balanced by the sense of deep benefits from the exercise which can include the uncovering of hidden personal responses which may even be below conscious thresholds.[Advantages]

The exercises are, by definition, unusual. They are a definite break in any routine and can enable a breakthrough in interpersonal sharing and creativity. They are a challenge or a rewarding ordeal which can rapidly unify a group which experiences it together.

[Disadvantages]

Can be very offensive and disturbing to some participants, especially when the leader of the group applies pressure on them to participate against their will. It is very dependent on the skill and sensitivity of the facilitator and when it is not introduced and presented in an appropriate context it can appear to be irrelevant and gimmicky.