Unsolicited Advice Game

Instructions for the leader

Activity: Structured Feedback & Perspective-Taking Divide the group into teams of 3–5 participants. In each group, designate one person to receive feedback per round. The remaining team members take turns sharing constructive observations, alternative perspectives, or advice on a chosen professional or skill-development topic. Pre-Activity Guidance: Frame the session as an exercise in perspective-taking and active listening. Research indicates that unsolicited advice can trigger defensiveness or anxiety if psychological safety is low; explicit framing helps participants approach feedback with curiosity rather than threat. Emphasize that receiving feedback is an opportunity to process external viewpoints, though participants retain full autonomy over which insights they apply. Structure & Rules: Active Listening: The person receiving feedback listens without interrupting, taking brief notes if desired. Non-defensive listening helps reduce cognitive load and processing bias during feedback delivery. Constructive Delivery: Feedback providers should focus on specific, actionable observations rather than broad generalizations. Timing: Allocate 3 minutes per person to receive feedback, ensuring equal time and opportunity for every group member. Re-convene for a brief group debrief afterward to reflect on the experience.