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Twenty One

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Twenty One activity

Twenty One

Powerful tool to make decisions based on collective wisdom.

  • Highly interactive
  • Trusts group process
  • Ideal for assessing ideas
  • Multiple uses

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Optional: visit the Resources tab to download a Twenty-One Card sample to use for demonstration purposes.
  2. Distribute one index card and a pen to each person in your group.
  3. Instruct each person to write the letters A, B, C, and Total on the left-hand side of their card, one under the other.
  4. Pose your question or statement and invite everyone to write their response on the other (blank) side of the card as clearly, succinctly and legibly as possible.
  5. When ready, invite your group to re-distribute all of the cards in a series of continuous one-for-one random swaps until the cards are adequately shuffled.
  6. Once shuffled, ensure that no one is holding their own card, ie if so, simply swap with the card of another person.
  7. Announce that over the course of 3 x 60-second rounds (identified as A, B, and C) you would like each person to interact with one other person to discuss and assess the two ideas/statements written on the cards they happen to be holding.
  8. When ready, instruct each pair to allocate a total of seven points across the two options according to their combined and relative preference, ie the two scores must equal seven points.
  9. For example, a pair may award 5 points to the idea expressed on one card and only 2 points to the other idea because they prefer/like the former idea more.
  10. Instruct each person to write the score allocated to that idea next to letter A on the back of the card on which that idea is written, ie if the pair allocate 2 points to idea X, the person holding the card with idea X will write 2 next to (round) A.
  11. Repeat steps 6 to 9 for two more rounds (B and C) ensuring the cards are distributed randomly between rounds.
  12. Over the course of three rounds, it is expected that each person will have viewed and discussed a total of six new ideas (none of which are their own.)
  13. Upon completion of the third round, ask each person to add up the total points awarded to the idea written on their card (for all three rounds) and write this sum next to Total.
  14. Starting with 21, survey your group to identify the idea that was awarded a total of 21 points, ie meaning this idea earned 7 points for each of the three rounds.
  15. Write this idea (if any) on flip-chart paper or a whiteboard for all to see.
  16. Next, survey those who are holding a card with an idea valued at 20 points, and then 19 points, etc.
  17. Continue this process until you have identified and listed the top 3 to 5 ideas of your group.
  18. Presuming these ideas represent the collective wisdom of your group, facilitate a conversation about them in the context of your question/statement.

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Contributor

Add your Comments...

Have you played this activity? What worked, what didn't work? What type of group? Do you have useful advice for other users? Do you know a fun variation?

Comments (7)

  1. texasteambuilder

    Hi, I used this tool today as part of debrief of Moon Ball. It was wonderful, expecially for the more introverted teammates. It created space for every voice to be heard. The exercise offers so much choice and the opportunity to collaborte with various group members.
    thanks for this thoughtful exercise.

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      Excellent stuff Jen, thanks for letting us know.

  2. David Meade

    Love this!
    Can i check, after each round of scoring, do they shuffle the cards again? so there’s three sets of shuffling?

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      Yes, good question David – the cards are shuffled between rounds so that each person receives a card that (a) that is not theirs, and (b) neither partner has seen before. This last point is easier when the group is large. The bottom line, be sure that the pairs are not reviewing their own card at any time.

  3. texasteambuilder

    Mark, thank you for this technique. I’m looking forward to using it.

    Reply
  4. Mary Henton

    Love this idea! Am going to put this in my “bag of tricks.”

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      Excellent Mary. I think it would come in very handy in your coaching. Have fun.

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