The Empathy Game

The working definition of empathy that we use for this game is: To understand someone else’s experience or “to walk in another’s shoes.” This game involves listening to others and reflecting the content back, to help them feel understood or heard. It is important to reflect what someone says rather than respond to them.

GAMEPLAY
Player 1, the speaker, will talk for thirty seconds. Player 2, the listener, then reflects what the speaker has said, repeating the words, or paraphrasing the speaker. The speaker can then make corrections or additions to what the listener has reflected. The listener will repeat these corrections. The speaker will then say whether they felt heard or not. If the speaker doesn't feel heard, Player 2 will try again.
EXAMPLE
Reflection (correct): Speaker, “I went to the grocery store today.” Active Listener, “You went to the grocery store today.” Response (incorrect): Speaker, “I went to the grocery store today.” Active Listener, “I like going to the grocery store.” SCORING (Individual) If the speaker feels heard, the active listener earns ten points. If there are corrections, two points are deducted for each additional attempt.

TIMING 30 seconds
TURNS One turn for each listening session
MATERIALS Timer
ROLES Speaker, active listener, facilitator (timer, provides an impartial opinion if needed)