Back to all games
👍

Three Things in Common

A simple but effective way to encourage deeper conversation in smaller breakout groups.

6+ Players
Hybrid
Low Energy

How to Play

  1. 1Divide everyone into smaller groups of 3-4 people.
  2. 2Challenge each group to find three things they all have in common, excluding obvious things like 'we work here'.
  3. 3Give them 5-10 minutes to chat.
  4. 4Bring everyone back to the main group and have each breakout room share their three commonalities.

Facilitator Guide

Opening Script:

"In groups of 3–4, find three non‑obvious commonalities. Skip surface items like ‘we work here’. Be concrete."

Closing Script:

"What prompts uncovered deeper overlaps? Save them for future intros or buddy programs."

Why This Works

Guided discovery of uncommon overlaps builds belonging fast. The constraint nudges beyond small talk into meaningful specifics.

Best For

  • Onboarding cohorts
  • Cross‑team mixers
  • Breakout sessions

Important Notes

  • Define ‘non‑obvious’ up front
  • Rotate a note‑taker so all voices are heard
  • Allow skips to maintain comfort