Large audience sitting down waiting for quick and fun energiser

Activity Ideas 18 Feb 25 0 Comments

What is a Quick & Fun Energiser for a Large Group?

By Mark Collard
Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

A Powerful Large Group Energiser That Teaches a Life Lesson

Looking for a quick and engaging energiser for your next large group session?

Whether you’re hosting a conference, leading a classroom, or running a corporate event, energisers are an excellent way to get people moving, thinking, and engaging with one another.

But what if I told you that you could also use an energiser to teach an important life lesson?

In this post, I’ll introduce you to one of my all-time favourite activities, Paradigm Shift.

It’s fun, requires no props, takes less than 30 seconds, and leaves your group with a powerful takeaway they’ll remember long after the event.

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In this Post…

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Why Use a Large Group Energiser?
Introducing: Paradigm Shift
The Powerful Lesson Behind Paradigm Shift
How to Use Paradigm Shift in Your Sessions
More Large Group Energisers

Why Use a Large Group Energiser?

There’s nothing worse than a group of people sitting stiffly in their seats, unengaged and disconnected. That’s why energisers are so effective—they wake people up, get them to lean in, and open their minds for what’s coming next.

Here’s why incorporating a large group energiser into your session is a game-changer:

Boosts Energy Levels – Gets people moving and re-energized.
Enhances Focus – Helps shift attention and prepare minds for learning.
Encourages Participation – Helps break the ice and build connections.
Creates Lasting Impact – Some energisers, like Paradigm Shift, go beyond fun and embed a meaningful lesson.

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A Quick & Fun Energiser for a Large Group

Paradigm Shift

Paradigm Shift is an activity that not only serves as a great energiser but also demonstrates the power of changing perspective.

It’s interactive, surprising, and guaranteed to get a reaction from your group.

Here’s how it works:

Ask everyone to extend their right hand and point their index finger at the ceiling.
Imagine there’s a clock face above them and begin tracing a circle in a clockwise direction.
Keep tracing the circle and slowly bring their hand down below their chin, still moving in the same direction.
Now, ask them to observe what they see.

At this moment, there’s a moment of confusion. People will suddenly notice that the direction of their finger has changed—it now appears to be moving anti-clockwise.

Wait… what? How did that happen?

That’s the magic of Paradigm Shift! Their finger never changed direction, but their perspective did.

Different perspectives for woman playing Paradigm Shift

Teaching Life Lessons

The moment of realization that the movement direction appears to change is fascinating. But the real impact of this activity lies in the lesson it teaches:

When you change your perspective, you see things differently.

This is a fundamental truth in both personal and professional life. Whether in business, relationships, or problem-solving, sometimes we need to shift our perspective to find new solutions, understand others better, or adapt to change.

Think about it in:

Workplace – Seeing a challenge from another team’s perspective can lead to better collaboration.
Leadership – Leaders who shift perspectives can inspire and guide teams more effectively.
Life – A new perspective can turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.

How to Use Paradigm Shift in Your Sessions

This activity is perfect for various settings:

Before a Keynote Speech – Prepare your audience for fresh ideas.
In a Classroom – Helps students understand different viewpoints.
In Corporate Training – Reinforces the value of adaptability.
In Team Building – Encourages open-mindedness and collaboration.

You can introduce it as a fun energiser, then transition into a discussion about perspective-taking and how it applies to their work or life.

Need More Energisers for Large Groups?

If you’re in the market for more fantastic energiser activity ideas, especially designed for large groups, click one of the buttons below.

Energisers for Large Groups Conference Energisers for 100+ Energisers for 12 to 100 People

Join the Conversation…

Have you used Paradigm Shift before? Or do you have another energiser that works wonders in your sessions?

Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear how you’re using these activities and any fresh perspectives you might add.

If you’re in the market for more fantastic energiser activity ideas, click one of the buttons below.

Otherwise, thanks for reading, and have fun energising your groups!

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What is a Quick & Fun Energiser for a Large Group?