Secret Tasks

Add fun and mischief with secret challenges.

Everyone takes a card at random, with details of a simple task they must complete at some point during the day - the twist is that they must do it without anyone realising it's a secret task.

Type

Icebreaker

Time

10 minutes

Group size

4-12 people

Best as

Energiser

In depth

A little more detail.

Three people discussing colorful sticky notes on a transparent board in a teamwork session.

Here are a few examples of things you might be asked to do:

Make a stack of five objects on top of one another and show someone. Say: "I bet you couldn't do that."
Show someone your handwriting and ask them to rate it out of 10 for neatness.
Stretch extravagantly at least three times.
Get a fellow team member's name wrong three times.
Share five "fun facts" throughout the session.

Outcomes

What you'll leave with.

Illustration of two people with orange backpacks viewed from behind, looking sideways and smiling.

BRIEF Facilitation notes

How to run it.

When to use it

Use Secret Tasks to weave playfulness through a session. Everyone draws a card with a simple task to complete without being noticed, which sparks creative thinking, mischief and plenty of laughter when all is revealed.

Illustration of a woman with orange hair holding a tablet and giving a thumbs up.

Use it when

You want to add fun and energy running through the day.
A group would benefit from playfulness and light competition.
You plan to reveal the tasks together later for a laugh.

Not the right tool when

You want to reveal the tasks now. Use Secret Tasks Reveal.
The moment calls for a calm, reflective activity. Use Nicknames.

Used in

Workshops that feature this tool.

No items found.

Use it with your team

This tool works best in a well-facilitated room.

Using this tool with a skilled facilitator means that discussions are focused, time is used efficiently, and the group moves toward consensus, making the session productive and impactful.

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Created by James Allen

Helping senior leadership teams close the gap between intent and behaviour. Workshops, coaching, and the On The Same Page methodology.

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