Hi! Yes, the “role play” issue has yielded some great conversation, which what we’re all about at The People Equation. I appreciate the “both/and” positioning of your idea; that works very well in many situations. Thanks for your input and hope you’ll join us again for some great dialog about development.

how fun – re. “tag-team” role play, I responded to Sharlyn a few days ago with a similar idea. People on the sidelines can also contribute ideas to the people in the role-play circle by tapping on their shoulder, and passing on their idea to the person-in-role. So the person-in-role may solicit advice, or the other people can simply offer advice. It’s a both-and

to Marion’s comments – before I discovered this blog, I mentioned cross-cultural settings in my posting to Sharlyn. I do think we need to pay attention to what works in different cultural contexts. For example, I often find (in the U.S.) that trainers ask for personal sharing, maybe in small groups, or even in a large group – and I don’t think that will work in many other cultures. In fact, I’m not sure that everyone in the U.S. is comfortable with that!

Thanks for initiating the great discussion.

1) About the OK : I understood that it meant acceptable, but for me Role Play evoke curiosity, eagerness to learn, ENTHUSIASM!
Much more than acceptable!

2) About the cultural differences, let’s be cautious and not fall into stereotypes. Anglo-Saxon cultures might be more open to innovative approaches than the “old Europe”. So it’s a paradox for me to hear that role play are not “trendy”.
Is it maybe because it’s been used as a tool in the training business for too long in the states,maybe excessively and people are tired of it?
Or used by some inexperienced trainers as a means to mask their incompetence?
This makes me reflect on the origins of role play…I have always thought it was an American technique, developed with the humanist and positive psychology, around Palo Alto…
In fact, it all started thanks to a pioneer, Jacob Moreno, in Europe and dates from 1921 in Vienna.
Here is what I read, in the British Journal of Psychiatry:
“Psychodrama, a method of human relations training and psychotherapy, is traced from its creation by Moreno fifty years ago to its present resurgence with the growth of ‘humanistic’ psychology. The basic techniques are described, together with Moreno’s concepts of social interaction, e.g. encounter, spontaneity, the moment, catharsis and role playing.”
Jacob Moreno, born in Romania in 1892, studied in Vienna and started by telling stories to children at the hospital…

Incredible! Role playing started with story telling, with Theater in Greece…with the origin of human language…

We may need to refresh our training design with ancient myths!
Now, story time at home, see you all later…

Thanks so much for stopping by! It’s great to get a European perspective on this. Do you find your partipants are more willing to engage than what has been portrayed in this thread? I hadn’t considered cultural implications. . .

Regarding the title “Role Plays are OK”– I’m thinking you are interpreting “OK” to mean just “so-so”, which is one definition. My meaning was a slightly different version of OK: “acceptable”. But, I like how it could be interepreted either way– given the spectrum of responses this blog has received.

I enjoyed that post so much, and the following discussion, thank you!
Can I play with you?
You may have guessed it, I’m a big fan of role play, of incorporating every kind of PLAY possible in learning.
I am translating right now a TED Talk by Tim Brown on Creativity and Play in French.

I must say I was surprised by your title and even more by the article from The HR Bartender you mentioned.
Is it because I live in Europe?
Is it because I’m playful and have always learned best by interaction with others, by experimentation?
I couldn’t imagine a training without including one form or the other of Play, and I believe that’s how human learn the best.
When I facilitate training, I incorporate role play, as well as case studies, story sharing, case simulations, plenty of games.

Maybe the difference with the “old school” role play, is that it’s congruent with who I am, with my values and my approach.
It’s integrated and flowing in the process.
I don’t stop everything and announce, now role play time!

I agree with Wally with breaking the role play in little groups.
What works best is the group of 3 with one person observing and giving feedback, all of them taking turns.
It respects some more reserved or introverted preferences in personalities, and need for reflection and private space.

However, we must not underestimate the willingness from some participants to “participate” actively and generously share their experiences.

It’s also an excellent idea to act as two facilitators, giving the example and acting a business case in “aquarium”, like Jennifer suggested.

Role play doesn’t carry the same negative connotation obviously across the Atlantic!
Or is it that I love playing so much that I’m biased?
It’s certainly linked with the personal preferences, but I believe it’s so powerful, that with the right balance and tactful approach, everyone can benefit from it.
PS: I use to hate boiled Brussel sprouts but love them since I discovered a recipe in Tuscany last summer :al dente, grilled in olive oil, golden crusted with Parmigiano!
Thanks again, Jennifer, for this playful discussion!

You sure are a good sport if you hate role plays, yet “play along” so as not to rock the boat. Thanks for a great summary of our discussion so far. Some folks commented on Sharlyn’s blog and a few Twitter replies to me said that they don’t mind the “practice” aspect of role plays. Clearly, it’s a preference thing. Wondering if there’s some tie to a person’s personality?

So about those green veggies. . .

Yes, we’re on the same page– training design of the “eat your brussel sprouts” kind is simply poor design. Ignoring the needs of the learners is the surest way to a failed learning experience.

My post was about participants not liking role plays. And that I agree with. Where being a training consultant comes in, is when you know people don’t like them and you write them into training anyway. It’s like ‘eat your Brussel sprouts’ – they’re good for you. Even if role plays are valuable, if participants don’t like them, will they be effective?

@Wally– I’m a fan of dyads and triads too. Here’s one of the challenges that sometimes occurs with the more “private” form of dyads and triads: participants who aren’t as “plugged in” will spend their time chatting about what bar to attend after the training. Earlier in my training career, I fretted a great deal about this; now I let the participants know that they are responsible for their learning and therefore what happens in their small group activities is up to them. Bringing the small groups back to the larger group to debrief will help this situation, but not always.