Workplace Challenge Slides Club Challenge Employment Training
Workplace Readiness Series
55 Minutes • Hands-On Session
Interactive Communication Lab
Talk & Do 2.0
Workplace Communication Challenge
Practice giving clear directions, active listening, asking clarifying questions, and solving on-the-job teamwork challenges.
1
Easy Mode
2
Work Mode
3
Problem Mode
4
Team Mode
Why Communication Matters at Work
Target Skills
Give Step-by-Step Directions
Break assignments into clear, manageable steps so your coworkers know exactly what to do first, next, and last.
Listen with Full Attention
Focus on the speaker, keep your hands still, and check your understanding before beginning the task.
Ask Clarifying Questions
Asking for help or repetition is a professional strength. It stops mistakes before they happen!
Solve Problems as a Team
Stay patient, respectful, and flexible whenever instructions change or misunderstandings arise.
Core Rule: Good communication is a two-way street between the speaker and the listener!
How the Game Works: Team of Two
Game Rules
Role A
The Communicator
Holds the secret task card showing the finished result.
Explains what to do step-by-step using clear words or AAC.
Hands off! Do not touch or move any materials.
Pro Tip: Describe color, position, and direction!
Role B
The Task Performer
Listens carefully and touches the actual materials.
Does not see the completed picture or task card.
May ask questions: "Which side? Can you repeat that?"
Pro Tip: Repeat what you heard to confirm!
After each assignment, compare your work with the card, celebrate teamwork, and switch roles!
Activity 1: Communication Warm-Up
5 Minutes
Trainer Demo 1: Unclear Instruction
"Put that over there."
What is missing? Which item? Where is "over there"? How should it be placed?
Trainer Demo 2: Clear Workplace Instruction
"Please place the blue cup on the table beside the red container."
Includes exact object, exact location, and respectful tone.
Group Discussion Question: What should you do if your supervisor gives you an unclear direction?
Activity 2: Watch & Discuss
5 Minutes
Active Listening at Work
2–3 Minute Training Clip
Look For During the Clip:
Eye contact and attentive posture
Nodding and summarizing instructions
Confirming before acting
Search: active listening skills workplace communication training
Debrief Questions
1. What did the listener do well?
Did they interrupt or did they wait patiently?
2. What happens when we assume we know?
Assuming often causes rework, wasted time, or frustration.
3. How can you ask politely?
"Could you repeat that last part so I get it right?"
Great listeners don't just hear words—they check that they understand the message!
ROUND 1
Easy Mode: Warm-Up Challenges
10 Minutes
Cup Tower
Guide your partner to build a 5-cup pyramid or stacked tower using clear base placement directions.
Key Word: "Base", "Center", "On top"
Color Sort
Sort 6 colored blocks or items into designated bins or rows based on specific color instructions.
Key Word: "Left bin", "Right row"
Desk Pattern
Direct your partner to arrange 4 desk supplies in an exact order from left to right.
Key Word: "First", "Next to", "Last"
Remember to Switch!
Completed the first challenge? Swap roles so both partners practice!
Power Phrases: Asking Questions at Work
Professional Skills
"Could you repeat that, please?"
Great when directions were given too quickly or with too much noise.
"Let me repeat that back to make sure."
Shows your supervisor that you care about accuracy and quality.
"Which step should I complete first?"
Helps prioritize when you have multiple tasks on your plate.
"Can you show me an example?"
A demonstration or visual model often makes tasks 100% clearer.
Remember: Supervisors love employees who ask smart questions before making a mistake!
ROUND 2
Work Mode: Workplace Mission Cards
15 Minutes
Now we move from simple shapes to real workplace assignments! Each team gets a specialized job card with specific details.
Mission 1: Store Shelves
Stock and face groceries by category and size.
Mission 2: Customer Order
Pack tray with exact food items and condiments.
Mission 3: Workstation Setup
Organize folders, forms, and pens for a new day.
Mission 4: Laundry Folding
Fold towels and sort clothing into department bins.
Accuracy matters more than speed! Take your time to get it right. Quality First
Mission Spotlight: Retail & Food Service
Step-by-Step Focus
Mission: Stocking Shelves
The Communicator tells the Performer which shelf level to use (top, middle, bottom) and how to face labels outward.
How to explain clearly:
"Put the 2 cereal boxes on the top shelf, side by side, labels facing front."
Mission: Customer Order
The Communicator reads the customer ticket. The Performer selects items and places them on the serving tray.
How to explain clearly:
"Customer wants 1 sandwich, 1 cup of water on the right, and 2 napkins."
Task Performers: Check off each item as you put it in place!
Mission Spotlight: Office & Hospitality
Step-by-Step Focus
Mission: Workstation Prep
Set up an office desk with folders on the left, writing tools in the holder, and client forms centered.
Good question to ask:
"Do you want the blue folder on top or the yellow folder on top?"
Mission: Meeting Setup
Prepare a conference table for 4 participants with a notepad, pen, and water glass at each seat.
Good question to ask:
"Should the pens go to the right of the notepad or on top?"
Notice how asking about specific positions prevents having to redo the setup!
ROUND 3
Problem Mode: When Communication Breaks Down
10 Minutes
In real workplaces, misunderstandings happen every day! What matters is how we handle it calmly and professionally.
Missing Information
"Take those boxes to the back." Which boxes? Where in the back?
Too Fast / Too Many Steps
Supervisor gives 5 fast directions at once. You only remember two.
Order Changed Last Minute
Customer requests no tomato right when the tray is packed.
Rule of Thumb: Pause, take a breath, and ask for clarification! No stress—it's part of working!
Interactive Practice: What Would You Say?
Pair Role-Play
Workplace Challenge A
A coworker puts supplies in the wrong area.
How do you let them know respectfully without causing embarrassment?
Try saying: "Hey, I think these folders belong in cabinet B. Want to move them together?"
Workplace Challenge B
Your supervisor gave 4 directions very fast.
You only caught the first two instructions.
Try saying: "I have step 1 and 2 ready. Could you repeat steps 3 and 4 so I can write them down?"
Volunteers: Let's practice saying these responses aloud with a partner!
ROUND 4
Team Mode: Opening Day Store Challenge
10 Minutes
Scenario Alert
"Our Store Opens in 10 Minutes!"
The whole room works together as one staff team. We need the shelves stocked, checkout prepared, and supplies organized before the first customer arrives!
Team Leader
Assigns and checks jobs
Stocking Crew
Faces shelf merchandise
Checkout Crew
Prepares bags and register
Quality Checker
Confirms checklist items
Surprise twists may happen! Keep talking and supporting each other. One Team, One Goal
Opening Day Quality Inspection
Debrief
Did We Complete It?
Walk the floor together. Check whether items match the original store plan and guidelines.
How Did We Speak?
Were coworkers polite and respectful when someone needed help or made an adjustment?
Celebrating Success
Praise your teammates for their focus, patience, and clear directions!
In the workplace, a great team catches mistakes together and fixes them with a positive attitude.
Final Reflection: My Communication Goal
Wrap-Up
What is one communication skill you want to practice at your next job or training?
Goal 1
"I will ask my supervisor to repeat directions if I'm not sure."
Goal 2
"I will give one instruction at a time when training a peer."
Goal 3
"I will repeat instructions back to check my understanding."
Outstanding Work, Challenge Champions!
Club Challenge Workplace Training
Workplace Challenge Facilitator Guide Club Challenge • Employment Training
Talk & Do 2.0 Facilitator Guide
Target: 55 Minutes
Audience: Adults with IDD (6–10)
The Core Shift: From Parlor Game to Workplace Simulation
While preserving the classic paired "Speaker & Doer" mechanic, Talk & Do 2.0 shifts context to real workplace competencies: stockroom shelf-facing, customer order fulfillment, workstation staging, and handling confusing directions. Emphasize that asking questions and self-advocating are signs of professionalism.
55-Minute Instructional Pacing Schedule
Time
Segment & Activity
Key Workplace Competency Practiced
00–05 min
1. Communication Warm-Up
Recognizing missing information in vague instructions.
05–10 min
2. Watch & Discuss
Active listening, repeating instructions back, posture.
10–20 min
3. Round 1: Easy Mode
Paired roles (Communicator / Performer); building trust.
20–35 min
4. Round 2: Work Mode
Executing realistic mission cards (retail, food, office, laundry).
35–45 min
5. Round 3: Problem Mode
Navigating breakdowns: too fast, unclear, or changed orders.
45–55 min
6. Round 4: Team Mode & Debrief
Store opening simulation, peer quality check, goal setting.
Low-Cost Materials Matrix
Cups & Blocks: 15 plastic cups, 12 colored blocks.Retail/Stocking: 6 clean empty food boxes/cans.Food Order: 2 plastic trays, toy food/cups/napkins.Office Supplies: Folders, index cards, pens, tape.Hospitality/Laundry: 4 hand towels, 2 shirts, basket.
AAC & Accessibility Supports
• Visual Choice Boards: Allow pointing to colors, shelf heights, or position cards.
• Speech-Generating Devices: Pre-program phrases ("Repeat please", "Top shelf", "Done").
• Gestural / Visual Modeling: Staff may mirror instructions without touching participant materials.
• Pacing Support: Give one step at a time; allow extra processing time.
Station Staging: Arrange pairs facing each other across a table with a small visual barrier (a standing binder or folder) so the Task Performer cannot see the secret mission card.
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Facilitation Notes: Activities 1 through 4
Step-by-Step Staging & Scripts
Activity 1: Communication Warm-Up (5 Min) Whole Group Discussion
Trainer Script (Demo): Point vaguely toward a table and say flatly: "Put that over there."
Facilitator Prompt: Ask the group: "What makes this hard to follow? What information did I leave out?" (Wait for: which item, which table, what side, right side up, etc.).
Clear Script: "Please place the blue cup on the table beside the red container."
Teaching Point: Emphasize that vague words like "that" and "over there" cause confusion and workplace mistakes.
Activity 2: Watch & Discuss — Active Listening (5 Min) Video / Discussion
Video Clip Recommendation: Stream a 2–3 minute workplace active listening clip (search: active listening skills workplace communication training ). If video tech is unavailable, have staff role-play a 60-second active listening demonstration.
Debrief Prompts:
"Did the listener interrupt or wait until the supervisor finished?" "How did repeating the direction back save the employee from a mistake?" "Is it polite or rude to ask someone to repeat instructions?" (Reinforce: It is very professional!)
Activity 3: Round 1 — Easy Mode Basic Challenges (10 Min) Paired Practice (Switch at 5 min)
Role Distribution: Assign Partner A as Communicator (holds Task Card) and Partner B as Task Performer (handles materials; card hidden).
Challenges:
1. Cup Tower: 3 cups on bottom, 2 on top. Emphasize "base", "rim down", "centered".
2. Color Sort: 6 blocks sorted into 2 bins by warm vs. cool or exact primary color.
3. Desk Pattern: Pen, sticky note, stapler, and paperclip aligned in exact sequence.
Facilitator Watchpoint: Ensure the Communicator keeps hands behind their back or flat on the table. If they start touching objects, gently remind them: "Use your words or choice board!"
Activity 4: Round 2 — Workplace Mission Cards (15 Min) Realistic Job Simulations
Setup: Distribute one Workplace Mission Card to each pair. Have pairs switch roles halfway through (at 7–8 minutes) with a fresh mission card.
Mission 1: Store Stocking
Place 2 cereal boxes on top shelf, 3 soup cans on bottom shelf. Labels facing front.
Mission 2: Restaurant Order
Tray setup: 1 burger container in center, cup on top right, 2 napkins on left.
Mission 3: Office Workstation
Blue folder left, intake form center, pen cup top right with 2 blue pens.
Mission 4: Laundry Staging
Fold 2 towels in half twice; place shirts in right bin, towels in left bin.
Coaching Prompt for Communicator: "Give one item at a time. Wait until your partner finishes placing it before giving the next step."
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Activities 5 & 6, Debrief & Assessment
Problem Solving & Evaluation
Activity 5: Round 3 — Communication Breakdowns (10 Min) Interactive Role-Play
Introduce common workplace communication breakdowns. Have participant pairs role-play the response:
Scenario 1 (Unclear): "Put those supplies in the back."
Target Response: "Which supplies do you mean, and which shelf in the back?"
Clarifying
Scenario 2 (Rapid Fire): Supervisor gives 5 fast instructions.
Target Response: "I have the first two steps. Could you repeat steps 3 and 4?"
Chunking
Scenario 3 (Mistake Catch): A peer places an item in the wrong bin.
Target Response: "Hey, I think these go in bin B today. Let's check together."
Respectful Feedback
Activity 6: Round 4 — Opening Day Store Challenge (10 Min) Whole-Team Simulation
Scenario: "Our community store opens in 10 minutes! We have 4 stations to prepare: Stocking, Checkout, Supply Caddy, and Meeting Table."
Roles: Assign 1 Team Leader, 2 Stockers, 2 Checkout preparers, 1 Quality Checker.
The Twist (at Minute 4): Staff announces: "Attention team: A box of supplies is misplaced, and the customer order needs an extra cup!" Observe how team members communicate the change.
Debrief: Ask: "How did we handle the surprise? Did everyone know what their job was?"
Observational Assessment Rubric (No Written Test)
Observed Competency
Developing (With Cueing)
Demonstrated Independently
Giving Directions
Gives 2+ steps at once or reaches for objects.
Gives single clear step; describes position/color.
Active Listening
Acts before instruction finishes; assumes.
Maintains attention; pauses before touching items.
Asking Clarification
Waits passively or guesses when confused.
Uses power phrases: "Can you repeat that?"
Team Problem Solving
Shows frustration when plans change.
Adapts calmly; assists coworkers respectfully.
Optional Extensions (If time permits): Mystery Tool Description Game • Telephone Work Instruction Game 5–10 Min Extension
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Workplace Mission Cards Club Challenge Employment Training
Role Badges & Round 1: Easy Mode Cards
Printable Station Cards
Cut along dashed lines or keep as reference
Role Badge A
THE COMMUNICATOR
"I explain the job step-by-step."
Hold the task card secret from your partner.
Give one direction at a time.
Keep your hands off the materials!
Key words: Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Beside, In front
Role Badge B
THE TASK PERFORMER
"I listen and complete the task."
Keep your eyes on the speaker while they talk.
Only touch items after you hear the direction.
Ask questions whenever you feel unsure!
Say: "Can you repeat that?" • "Which side?"
Power Phrases:
"Could you repeat that?" • "Let me confirm..." • "Which one first?" • "Can you show me?"
Round 1: Easy Mode Challenge Cards (Communicator Secret Cards)
10 Min Paired Practice
Challenge 1 Materials: 5 Cups
Five-Cup Pyramid Tower
Target Setup: Place 3 cups upside down side-by-side in a straight row. Place 2 cups upside down centered on top of the base row.
Prompt: "Place 3 cups open-side down in a line. Then balance 2 cups on top."
Challenge 2 Materials: 6 Blocks
Color Organization Bins
Target Setup: Sort 3 red blocks into the left container and 3 blue blocks into the right container. Stand blocks upright.
Prompt: "Put all red blocks in the left bin. Put all blue blocks in the right bin."
Challenge 3 Materials: 4 Office Supplies
Desk Supply Pattern Lineup
Target Setup: From left to right: (1) Pen pointing up, (2) Yellow sticky note pad, (3) Stapler, (4) Paperclip.
Prompt: "Line them up from left to right: first pen, then sticky notes, then stapler, last paperclip."
Challenge 4 Materials: Paper & Marker
Paper Fold & Label
Target Setup: Fold a piece of paper in half like a book (hamburger fold). Draw a star in the top-right corner of the front cover.
Prompt: "Fold the paper in half left-to-right. Draw a star in the top right corner."
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Round 2: Work Mode • 15 Minutes
Workplace Mission Cards: Missions 1 through 4
Job Simulations
Switch roles after each mission
Mission 1 Retail Dept
Stock the Grocery Shelf
Materials: 2 cereal boxes, 3 soup cans, 2 shelf levels.
Communicator's Secret Spec:
Place 2 cereal boxes on the TOP shelf , side-by-side.
Place 3 soup cans on the BOTTOM shelf in a neat row.
Make sure all product labels face directly forward to customers!
Accuracy Check: Labels faced? Step Count: 3 Steps
Mission 2 Food Service
Prepare Customer Order Ticket
Materials: Serving tray, sandwich box, cup, 2 napkins, fork.
Communicator's Secret Spec:
Place sandwich container in the center of the tray .
Place water cup in the top-right corner of tray.
Fold 2 napkins and place fork on top in the left corner .
Accuracy Check: Correct positions? Step Count: 3 Steps
Mission 3 Office Admin
Set Up the Intake Workstation
Materials: Blue folder, yellow folder, intake form, pen holder, 2 pens.
Communicator's Secret Spec:
Stack folders on the left side (Blue on bottom, Yellow on top).
Place intake form straight in the middle of the desk .
Place pen holder in the top-right corner with 2 pens standing.
Accuracy Check: Folder order correct? Step Count: 3 Steps
Mission 4 Hospitality
Linen & Laundry Department
Materials: 2 hand towels, 2 shirts, 2 sorting baskets.
Communicator's Secret Spec:
Fold both towels neatly in half twice and stack in Basket A .
Fold shirts into squares and place them flat inside Basket B .
Place Basket A on the left, Basket B on the right.
Accuracy Check: Items in right basket? Step Count: 3 Steps
Coach Tip: When pairs finish, have them remove the folder barrier and compare the result side-by-side with the mission card! Celebrate what went right first.
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Missions 5 & 6 • Problem Solving & Team Challenge
Advanced Missions, Breakdowns & Team Roles
Final Rounds
Whole-Group Collaboration
Workplace Missions 5 & 6
Meeting & Supply Logistics
Mission 5: Meeting Table 4 Place Settings
Instructions: Set 2 seats per side. Each seat gets 1 notepad centered, 1 pen on right, and 1 water cup top-left.
Mission 6: Supply Delivery Stockroom Intake
Instructions: Sort incoming items: heavy paper reams on the bottom cart, tape & labels in top basket. Affix label front-facing.
Round 3: Communication Breakdown Scenario Cards
Role-Play Practice
Scenario Card A
Vague Instructions
Supervisor says: "Put those boxes over there in the corner."
Say: "Which boxes, and which corner?"
Scenario Card B
Too Fast / Many Steps
Supervisor gives 5 fast directions. You remember 2.
Say: "Could you repeat steps 3 and 4?"
Scenario Card C
Respectful Feedback
Coworker places supplies in the wrong cabinet.
Say: "These go in shelf B. Let's fix it together."
Round 4: Opening Day Store Challenge Role Cards (Final 10 Min)
All Teams Collaborate
1
Team Leader
Checks in with all stations calmly.
2
Stocking Crew
Stocks shelves, aligns labels.
3
Checkout Crew
Sets up bags, tray, & register.
4
Quality Checker
Inspects & gives positive feedback.
My Workplace Communication Ticket Name: ____________________ Date: ____________
Check the communication strength you practiced most today:
I gave clear directions I asked a question I helped my teammate
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