Escape rooms have become more than just a thrilling adventure.
They have evolved into powerful tools for team building, pushing participants to communicate, cooperate, and think outside the box.
Communication is the lifeblood of successful teamwork and in whatever form, is crucial to the success of the group playing an escape game.
It’s the glue that holds a team together, enabling them to tackle challenges, share ideas, and achieve remarkable feats.
In the context of escape rooms, it becomes the key that unlocks doors, solves puzzles, and leads to victory.
In this video, we’ll explore using active listening, clear and concise instructions, and nonverbal communication in escape rooms.
I’m All Ears
Picture this: You and your team are locked in a mysterious room, racing against the clock to find clues and solve puzzles.
In this high-pressure environment, it’s crucial to be all ears.
Escape rooms demand active listening as participants share ideas, suggestions, and crucial clues with one another.
It’s not just about hearing; it’s about truly understanding and valuing each other’s contributions.
Active listening cultivates better communication and teaches team members the importance of giving their undivided attention to one another.
To share some examples, I have had groups of young teens, who had trouble absorbing the rules before the game and had to be reminded multiple times throughout the game.
I have had families who had members who did not respect each other enough to value their opinion in the game. It can get kind of ugly.
On the flip side, I have seen families and work groups who were absolutely excellent at listening to each other’s ideas on solving the puzzles.
The four tips for active listening are:
- Pay attention – I mean really pay attention, focus your mind on the person who is talking, put aside any thoughts not relevant to what you are doing.
- Show that you are listening – making eye contact is a good way to show you are listening, you can also smile or show appropriate facial expressions and body language. It may also be helpful to engage with the other person to continue by showing agreement. (yeah or OK)
- Provide feedback – following along with the other person and providing feedback is a more substantial response. Adding to or continuing their train of thought goes a long way to leaving them feeling heard.
- Defer judgment – Allow the other person to express their thoughts and opinions without judgment. This really opens the lines of communication between the both of you.
Clear and concise instructions.
When you’re trapped in an escape room, every second counts.
To succeed, team members must communicate their ideas and strategies clearly and concisely.
No room for long-winded explanations here!
By mastering the art of getting straight to the point, teams ensure everyone is on the same page and minimize misunderstandings.
Typically, as a gamemaster, we watch the group on multiple cameras, and we listen to the players talking through the puzzles.
I have seen groups misread and misunderstand each other in the room.
I have seen them try to explain how they solved a puzzle only to confuse their teammates even more.
But on the flip side, I have seen groups communicate so well with just a few clear words.
Some so well, I didn’t see or hear how they solved it and had to ask them after it was over.
Some tips for speaking more clearly and concisely are:
- Plan out what you are going to say – this can help you to put the words in the order and really think about what needs to be said to achieve your current goal.
- Try not to over-explain. Sometimes when you try too hard to explain something, it can become more confusing.
- When trying to convey information quickly and concisely, avoid filler words that can stretch it out and change the message. Filler words can distract the listener and cause them to focus on the wrong parts of the conversation.
The Silent Treatment
But what if words alone aren’t enough?
That’s where non-verbal communication comes into play.
In some escape rooms, puzzles and challenges require participants to rely on non-verbal cues, such as gestures or signals.
It’s a whole new level of communication that transcends language.
In these moments, team members learn to interpret and respond to these subtle signals, sharpening their overall communication skills.
In escape rooms, non-verbal communication plays a vital role in solving puzzles and navigating challenges. Here are a few examples of how non-verbal communication skills are used in escape rooms:
Participants may use hand gestures to indicate specific actions or directions. For example, pointing at a particular object or using a thumbs-up gesture to signal that a task has been completed successfully.
Body language can speak volumes in escape rooms. Participants may use physical cues such as nodding, shrugging, or even posture to convey information or share insights with their teammates. For example, leaning towards an object might suggest that it requires closer examination or interaction.
Non-verbal communication can also manifest through collaborative actions. Participants may engage in coordinated movements or physical interactions with objects to indicate teamwork or to solve puzzles together. These actions can create a sense of unity and reinforce the importance of non-verbal collaboration.
Remember, the specific non-verbal communication techniques used in escape rooms can vary depending on the game’s design and puzzles.
However, the overall goal remains the same: to communicate effectively and work together as a team, even without relying solely on verbal communication.
While originally intended for entertainment, escape rooms have proven to be effective vehicles for enhancing communication and other interpersonal skills.
They teach us the value of truly listening to one another, fostering better communication within the team.
In the fast-paced world, effective communication means getting straight to the point and ensuring everyone is on the same wavelength.
Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.
Escape rooms challenge us to communicate without speaking, strengthening our ability to interpret and respond to non-verbal cues.
And there you have it!
We’ve uncovered the secrets behind how escape rooms enhance teamwork through improved communication skills.
Remember, these skills are not confined to the walls of the escape room.
They can be transferred and applied to your daily work environment, making your team a force to be reckoned with!