Showdown Facilitator Guide Whole-Group Icebreaker • 15 Participants
Low Stakes Showdown
5 Minutes Total
Specially choreographed for 15 colleagues in one shared circle or boardroom. Everyone votes simultaneously via physical movement or cards, followed by quick 15-second mic-drop defenses.
Structure
1 Full Group (15)
Interaction
Instant Team Vote
Speakers
6 Voices (15s each)
Energy
Unified & Laughing
Minute-by-Minute Choreography
Keep transitions brisk to honor the 5-min cap
0:00–0:45 The Launch
Explain the 15-Person Vote Mechanic
Instruct the room: "We have 15 brilliant minds in here, and for the next 5 minutes, we are tackling 3 crucial workplace dilemmas. When I reveal each prompt, all 15 of us vote instantly: Stand Up for Option A, Stay Seated for Option B (or hold your voting cards). No sitting on the fence!"
0:45–2:45 Rounds 1 & 2
Two Rapid Dilemmas (60 Seconds Each)
Round 1 (Cereal Soup): Reveal prompt. Count 3-2-1: room divides! Glance at the tally (e.g., 9 sitting, 6 standing). Toss the floor to 1 standing person (15s defense), then 1 sitting person (15s rebuttal).Round 2 (Donut Slicing): Instant re-vote. Pick 2 completely new colleagues to give a 15-second hot take.
2:45–3:45 Round 3
Dilemma 3 (Workday Superpower)
Time Freeze vs. 5 PM Teleportation. All 15 vote. Ask for 2 final volunteers who haven't spoken yet. The room erupts over who chose teleportation just to avoid the parking lot bottleneck.
3:45–5:00 The Pivot
Whole-Room Tally & Closing Slide Transition
Quick 15-second lightning hand-raise on one bonus topic (e.g., Gel Pens vs. Laminator). Project the Closing Slide . Deliver the closing pivot line and start Item 1 on your agenda.
Word-For-Word Scripts
Kicking off: "We have 15 people in the room, which means we have at least 15 fiercely stubborn opinions. For 5 minutes, no work allowed—let's test our consensus."
The Pivot: "We just got 15 people to agree on absolutely nothing in record time—which means tackling our real meeting agenda will be easy. Let's get to work!"
15-Person Room Management
Simultaneous actions: Standing/sitting engages all 15 people instantly without single-speaker drag.Rotate the 6 voices: Ensure eager talkers don't take all 3 rounds; call on different table corners.Strict 15s buzzer: Keep comments to punchy soundbites so the whole room stays amused and on schedule.
Facilitator Prep: Print 15 Voting Cards (or use Stand/Sit) • Display Slide 1 • 5-Min Phone Timer Ready
Whole-Group Edition • 15 People
Showdown Prompt Cards Whole-Group Showdown • 15 Staff Edition
How to Run: Announce the dilemma. Count 3-2-1: all 15 hold up voting paddles (or Stand vs. Sit). Record room tally and hear 2 quick defenses!
Room Size: 15
Dilemma 1 • Culinary Law
Tally / 15
Is cereal considered a soup?
Side A (Stand / Card A): YES! Cold soup with cereal grain. ___ / 15
Side B (Sit / Card B): NO! Milk is beverage, soup is savory. ___ / 15
Prompt to ask: "Who on Side A is brave enough to justify warm milk?"
Dilemma 2 • Staff Kitchen
Tally / 15
The Breakroom Donut Slicing Crime
Side A (Stand / Card A): Thoughtful courtesy for portion control. ___ / 15
Side B (Sit / Card B): Selfish avoidance of taking the last piece. ___ / 15
Prompt to ask: "Has anyone in this room ever eaten a stale 1/4 donut?"
Dilemma 3 • Workplace Powers
Tally / 15
The Ideal Workday Superpower
Side A (Stand / Card A): Freeze time for 1 hour of quiet focus. ___ / 15
Side B (Sit / Card B): Instant teleportation home at 5 PM sharp. ___ / 15
Prompt to ask: "Who is teleporting straight to the couch with shoes on?"
Dilemma 4 • Inbox Culture
Tally / 15
Which Email Sin is More Heinous?
Side A (Stand / Card A): The whole-staff 'Reply-All' with 'Thanks!'. ___ / 15
Side B (Sit / Card B): Sending 'See attached' with no attachment. ___ / 15
Prompt to ask: "Show of hands: who has committed both this semester?"
Dilemma 5 • Office Survival
Tally / 15
The One Resource You Protect
Side A (Stand / Card A): Heavy-duty hot laminator machine. ___ / 15
Side B (Sit / Card B): Stash of high-grade, black ink gel pens. ___ / 15
Prompt to ask: "Who hides their favorite pens in their desk drawer?"
Dilemma 6 • Weekend Protocol
Tally / 15
Movie Arrival Philosophy
Side A (Stand / Card A): 25 minutes early for previews & snacks. ___ / 15
Side B (Sit / Card B): Slide in right as lights dim for the intro. ___ / 15
Prompt to ask: "Are previews entertainment or forced advertising?"
Showdown Closing Slides WHOLE-GROUP SHOWDOWN All 15 of Us • 5 Minutes Total
300 Seconds
The Low-Stakes Showdown
15 colleagues. Zero work topics. 3 ridiculous debates to warm up our brains!
1
Simultaneous Vote
On count of 3, all 15 vote: Stand for A, Sit for B (or hold up your card!).
2
15-Second Hot Takes
1 standing person and 1 seated person give rapid-fire dramatic defenses.
3
Zero Real Stakes
Exaggerated logic and passionate conviction are strictly required!
Goal: 100% participation with zero awkward vulnerability. Round 1 on next slide →
Live Room Prompts
Stand = Option A | Sit = Option B
Pick Your Stance • Where Do You Stand?
Facilitator calls a prompt. All 15 vote instantly together!
Dilemma 1
Is cereal technically soup?
A: YES (Cold breakfast broth)
B: NO (Milk is a beverage)
Dilemma 2
Cutting a breakroom donut
A: Thoughtful generosity
B: A culinary crime
Dilemma 3
Ultimate workday power
A: Freeze time 1 hour
B: 5 PM couch teleport
15 seconds per volunteer • Keep it brisk & hilarious Closing slide next →
Warmup Complete • All 15 Present
Staff Meeting In Session
15 Voices. Let's Dive In.
If we can debate soup and teleportation with this much energy, today's agenda will be a breeze. Let's channel that focus into our meeting!
Focus Point 1
Wins & Quick Updates
Focus Point 2
Key Priorities & Discussion
Focus Point 3
Action Items & Next Steps
Thank you for bringing your great energy today! Turning over to agenda →
