Counting to 20

Counting to 20 is a listening exercise derived from improvisational theatre. The group must collectively count from 1 to 20, without a defined order and without agreeing on a method. As soon as two people speak at the same time, the group starts again from 1. The game fosters patience, attention to subtle signals, acceptance of silence, and the temptation to want to take up too much space.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Setting the Framework

   1 min

   Arrange the participants in a circle if you are in person, or ask them to remain visible and attentive if you are online. Say: "We are going to do a short exercise in collective listening, without individual performance. The goal is simple: to count together from 1 to 20." Invite everyone to place their feet on the ground and make themselves available. Emphasise that silence is part of the exercise, and that it is not about going fast.

   Tip — Deliberately slow down your voice from the introduction: a calm tone helps the group understand that success comes from listening, not from speed.

2. 2

   State the Rules Clearly

   1 min

   Explain the rules one by one: "Anyone can say the next number, but only one person at a time. There is no established order, we do not follow the circle, and you must not agree on a system. If two people speak at the same time, even slightly, we start again from 1. The objective is to reach 20." Check that everyone understands, then explicitly prohibit signs, persistent looks, or collective strategies.

   Tip — Emphasise 'no system' before starting: many groups spontaneously seek to optimise, which undermines the educational purpose of the game.

3. 3

   Create Listening Conditions

   1 min

   Suggest a posture that reduces automatic behaviours: "You can close your eyes or look at the floor, without trying to indicate someone." If online, say: "Keep your cameras on or off depending on what helps your listening best, but do not give each other hints." Allow a few seconds of silence before starting. This brief pause helps the group transition from ordinary conversation to collective attention.

   Tip — If the group is very restless, impose ten seconds of complete silence before the first '1': this prevents hasty starts and immediate collisions.

4. 4

   Launch the First Attempt

   2 min

   Simply announce: "When you are ready, someone starts with 1." Then, do not direct the turn anymore and let the group manage the intervals. If two people speak at the same time, calmly interrupt: "Collision, we start again from 1." Do not comment on each failure, as learning occurs through adjustment. Your role is to maintain the framework, not to advise during the action.

   Tip — Be very neutral when restarting at 1: an amused or frustrated tone can turn the exercise into a competition or a fear of making mistakes.

5. 5

   Allow Multiple Attempts

   2 to 4 min

   Allow the group to continue attempting until they reach 20 or until the allotted time is up. Only remind the rules if a strategy appears: "Attention, no agreed order, no system, we return to listening." Observe who speaks quickly, who holds back, how the group reacts to silences and restarts at 1. Do not add tactical instructions, even if you see a possible solution.

   Tip — Mentally note two or three observable behaviours for the debrief, such as an acceleration after 10 or people who frequently take the next number.

6. 6

   Conclude the Exercise

   1 min

   Stop the exercise either when the group reaches 20 or when the announced time is up. Say: "We stop here, regardless of the score achieved; what matters is what we have observed." Thank the group for their engagement and allow a brief silence before speaking. This closure prevents reducing the activity to a numerical success or failure.

   Tip — If the group reaches 20 very quickly, do not necessarily restart to 'prolong' it: maintain the energy of success and rather explore what made it possible.

7. 7

   Debrief the Learnings

   3 to 5 min

   Open the debrief by discussing experiences, then connect to the lessons: collective listening, patience, silence, and everyone's place. Ask: "What did you notice about your own behaviour?" then "What helped or hindered the group?" Welcome the responses without seeking a single correct interpretation. Conclude by linking it to work situations where people speak too quickly, interrupt, or take up all the space.

   Tip — Encourage those who spoke little during the game to share: their experience of restraint or observation is often the richest for the group.

Variants

• Online, conduct the exercise via video conference with cameras on or off. Remind participants not to use the chat, gestures, or signs to organise the counting.
• For a beginner or very restless group, suggest looking at the floor rather than closing their eyes. This reassures participants while limiting overly direct visual signals.
• To reinforce learning, conduct two short rounds: a first one without an intermediate debrief, then a second after simply reminding the intention of listening and patience, without allowing any strategy.