Role-playing scenarios can go wrong and an otherwise usefull scenario can end up becoming an awkward skit. Worse yet, a badly executed role-play event could really be detrimental to the confidence of the staff.
How Role Playing Scenarios Go Wrong
One of the main reasons why role-plays don't work out is because of the attitude or emotional state of the groups. What you must first know is that many people are extremely nervous at the prospect of performing in front of other groups. Statistically speaking, more groups are afraid of speaking before a large group than they are of death! Not only must players contend with their uncertainties, but they also may have had or heard of some bad experiences with these kinds of exercises. You as the trainer or boss must take steps to eliminate the uncertainties of your groups. The participants must be more motivated on the project intention itself and not so unduly apprehensive about how they appear to others.
What might aid is to be extremely clear in your presentation about what the intention of the role playing activity represents. The more complicated the scenario the less enjoyable it may probably be. If you hold off until one final "show" then naturally everyone will be terrified of performing. However, holding a few role-playing scenarios does well to demystify the experience, so that everyone wants to try the event. Feel free to break down complicated scenarios into more than one role-playing event. There's no need to save time, if it's going to cause more confusion. You're not working with thespians here!
Tips on Conducting Role-Playing Activities
Usually role-playing scenarios don't go well when one or more groups don't know what they're supposed to be doing. Just because they may have a non specific suggestion from the team leader, doesn't mean they have enough to work with. These are not actors who can be given a situation and run with it—most groups will do exactly what you will and wait for more information. Give each participant as much information as they will need. Too little will leave a player scratching their head, while too much will be forgotten. Simplicity is the key here.
You might also allow your groups to solicit assistance from other team members or to push a sort of "pause" button whenever they are confused with a scenario. Remember that role-playing is largely a group event and must not be considered a true performance, as if there was a way to fail this audition. It is for the benefit of all involved. Leaving the scenario open to comments lets everyone feel involved in the process, and can possibly ease some of the anxiety of participating in more scenarios to come. (If everyone else has tried it...I guess I must too!)
Role-playing is an effective practice that can aid build a team and teach new groups about theorganisation. It merely requires that you as the team boss, guide new groups through the process.
Author Resource:-
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