Thiagi’s Precautions activity: a critical thinking game

In the professional world, you get tons of advice. But without thinking it through, applying it can sometimes cause more harm than good. The Precautions activity, developed by Thiagi, is an interactive way of examining advice, spotting potential pitfalls and finding solutions to avoid them. Here’s how it works…

Purpose of the method

Precautions aims to help participants examine advice critically. By identifying potential drawbacks and suggesting precautions, they learn to think more wisely before acting.

The benefits

For the presenter

For the facilitator, it’s an opportunity to lead a lively and interactive session, while encouraging participants to engage actively in critical thinking. It’s also an excellent way of strengthening the group dynamic.

For the participant

Participants learn not to follow advice blindly. They develop a critical mind, which helps them avoid potential mistakes and adopt a more considered and strategic approach in their day-to-day work.

Principle of the method

The Precautions method involves examining a tip from every angle. As a group, participants discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the advice and then propose precautions to minimise the risks identified. It’s a structured, collaborative way of transforming a potentially risky piece of advice into a solid strategy.

How does it work?

• Introducing the activity: The facilitator begins by introducing the activity, explaining its objectives and the protocol to be followed. A tip is then presented to the participants, who reflect on how they might apply it in their professional context.
• Looking for benefits: Participants are divided into groups of no more than six. Each group lists the potential benefits of applying the advice.
• Search for disadvantages: The groups then reflect on the potential disadvantages and dangers of applying the advice, considering scenarios where the advice could be misused.
• Selection: Each group selects the most important advantage and disadvantage and appoints a spokesperson to present them.
• Feedback: The spokespersons share their group’s conclusions with all the participants.
• Proposal and choice of precaution: The participants propose precautions to mitigate or eliminate the disadvantages identified. We select four precautions, and the participants vote for the one they consider the most effective. Each participant leaves with the precaution chosen.

Glowbl: The ideal platform for this method

Glowbl is an online platform that makes collaboration super-easy, perfect for Thiagi’s Precautions. Here’s why Glowbl is the best of the best:

• Interactive virtual spaces: Glowbl makes it easy to divide participants into small working groups. They can discuss and collaborate around a table dedicated to their group.
• Real-time collaboration tools: The platform is packed with collaboration tools such as collaborative notes, polls and whiteboards. Perfect for listing the pros and cons! These tools also make it easier to report results and choose precautions. The spokespersons can share their group’s conclusions with everyone using the collaborative note, and the live polls can be used to vote on the proposed precautions.
• Flexibility and accessibility: Glowbl works on any device with an Internet connection, so everyone can participate, no matter where they are. Perfect for geographically dispersed teams. What’s more, sessions can be scheduled at times that suit everyone, simplifying organisation and maximising participation.

Read also: The Pages activity 

Example situation

Context: A marketing agency wants to improve internal communication.

Tip for consideration: “Organise a daily meeting for the whole team to discuss current projects.”

Course of the activity

• Introduction to the activity: The facilitator explains that the aim is to examine the following tip: organise daily meetings for the whole team to discuss current projects. He also explains that he wants to see how this tip can be applied effectively. The participants reflect individually on the application of this tip in their professional context and note down their first impressions.
• Seeking benefits: Participants are divided into groups of six. They are distributed around different tables in the virtual space which include collaborative notes on which they can record their reflections. Each group discusses the potential benefits of holding daily meetings, such as better coordination and regular project updates.
• Looking for disadvantages: Next, each group considers the potential disadvantages, such as wasted time and meeting overload, and what could happen if meetings are poorly managed.
• Selection: Each group chooses the most significant advantage and disadvantage and appoints a spokesperson to present them.
• Feedback: The spokespersons share their group’s conclusions with everyone using the collaborative note they have used to record their thoughts.

Conclusion

Thiagi’s Precautions method is a powerful and interactive tool for critically examining and discussing professional advice. With Glowbl, this method becomes even more accessible and engaging. Enabling participants to collaborate effectively and develop thoughtful strategies for applying the advice wisely. Thanks to this structured and collaborative approach, companies can avoid the pitfalls of ill-considered implementation. And maximise the benefits of each piece of advice. Glowbl, with its robust and interactive features, is the ideal platform. To facilitate this process, guaranteeing productive and fun sessions.