What is it?

Equilateral Triangles Collaboration is a conference icebreaker that highlights how large self-organizing groups can successfully collaborate without the need for stringent rules, regulations, or leadership.

Why is it useful?

• Demonstrates that collaboration works best when rules are simple and understood by all.
• Shows that people can self-organize effectively when everyone commits to the same principle.
• Encourages reflection on how much structure and leadership teams actually need to succeed.

Objective

To demonstrate how people can collaborate on relatively complex tasks without the need for a leader or a strict set of rules.

When would you use it?

• As an icebreaker in a workshop or conference where collaboration or self-organization is a key theme.

Resources Required

• A facilitator
• Large open space (no tables or chairs)
• A group of 20+ people
• 30 minutes
• Stopwatch

Rules

• No talking allowed
• Once the facilitator says "go," participants may move anywhere in the room
• Works best in open space (tables, chairs, or obstacles can also be used as part of the analogy)

Process

Step 1: Introduce the activity

Facilitator explains: “This is a short workshop where we’ll see how collaborative we can be in a very short time.”

Step 2: Spread out

Ask participants to spread randomly around the room.

Step 3: Pick two people

Each participant silently chooses two others in the room and keeps them in mind.

Step 4: Explain the rule

Facilitator explains:

• Goal: form an equilateral triangle with the two people chosen.
• No talking allowed.
• Participants may point at the two people they are working with.

Step 5: Start

Facilitator says go and starts the stopwatch.

Step 6: Observe completion

When the room stops moving, facilitator stops the clock and announces the time (typically about 1 minute).

Step 7: Debrief

Facilitator leads a reflection using questions like:

• What are your thoughts after seeing how quickly that worked?
• How long would it have taken if one person had been in charge of putting you in triangles?
• What does this teach us about self-organizing groups?
• Do we always need someone in charge? How far should rules go in dictating collaboration?

Secret Sauce

• Variation: if people don’t know what an equilateral triangle is, ask each participant to place themselves equal distance between two chosen people.
• Refer back to the results later in the event to reinforce discussions about collaboration and the power of self-organization.