Skills Exchange
Team members identify skills they can teach and skills they want to learn, then match up for knowledge sharing.
Skills Exchange is a practical icebreaker that builds team capability while fostering connections. Participants identify 2-3 skills they could teach others (professional or personal) and 2-3 skills they want to learn. The group then identifies matches and pairs, creating learning partnerships. This activity reveals hidden talents, promotes knowledge sharing, builds mentorship relationships, and demonstrates the collective expertise within the team.
Objective
Reveal hidden talents, promote knowledge sharing, and build learning partnerships.
- Paper or digital board
- Sticky notes or virtual sticky notes
- Skills exchange template (optional)
How to Play
Brainstorm Skills to Share
5 minEach person writes 2-3 skills they could teach: Excel macros, cooking techniques, guitar basics, public speaking, coding, photography, etc.
Identify Learning Interests
5 minEach person writes 2-3 skills they want to learn. Encourage diverse skills - work and personal.
Share and Post
10 minEveryone shares their lists. Post on a shared board or document so everyone can see all offerings and requests.
Identify Matches
8 minGroup identifies obvious matches: someone offering what another wants to learn. Encourage people to connect.
Schedule Exchange Sessions
7 minMatched pairs schedule 30-minute knowledge sharing sessions over the coming weeks. Track participation.
Pro Tips
Emphasize that ALL skills are valuable - professional and personal, serious and silly.
Variations
Try these variations to adapt the game for different contexts and group sizes.
Changes:
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