Secret Story

Secret Story is an icebreaker game where each participant shares a personal secret. This game fosters connection and trust within the group by allowing colleagues to get to know each other better while having fun. It encourages openness and vulnerability in a safe environment, conducive to establishing deeper professional relationships.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction and rules of the game

   10 min

   The facilitator begins by explaining the purpose of the game: 'We will share personal secrets to get to know each other better and strengthen our team cohesion.' They emphasise that everyone should feel comfortable sharing what they wish and remind participants of the importance of confidentiality. Participants are invited to think of a secret they would like to share.

   Tip — Create a climate of trust by first sharing a personal secret to lead by example.

2. 2

   Sharing secrets

   20 min

   Each participant takes turns sharing their secret with the group. The facilitator ensures that everyone has time to express themselves without interruption. Other participants listen attentively and may ask questions to learn more, but always with respect and without judgement.

   Tip — Encourage open-ended questions to deepen the exchanges while respecting everyone's boundaries.

3. 3

   Group discussion

   15 min

   After the sharing, the facilitator invites the group to discuss any surprises or discoveries made. 'What have you learned new about your colleagues?' They encourage participants to express their feelings and share any commonalities they have discovered.

   Tip — Use prepared question cards to stimulate discussion if the group is shy.

4. 4

   Personal reflection

   10 min

   The facilitator proposes a moment of personal reflection where everyone notes what they felt while sharing and listening to others' secrets. They may ask: 'How do you feel after this exercise?' Participants can choose to share their reflections or keep them to themselves.

   Tip — Provide notebooks or sheets for everyone to write their reflections discreetly.

5. 5

   Conclusion and thanks

   5 min

   To conclude, the facilitator thanks all participants for their openness and trust. They remind everyone of the importance of keeping shared secrets confidential and highlight the benefits of this exercise for strengthening bonds within the team.

   Tip — End with a round where everyone expresses in one word what they take away from the workshop.

Variants

• Use pre-printed cards with questions to guide the sharing of secrets.
• Conduct the exercise in pairs for more intimate interaction before sharing in a large group.
• Incorporate a game element where participants must guess who each secret belongs to.