Yesterday, I had the privilege of facilitating an innovative new digital business simulation called, “The Escape Room Simulation” and it was a blast. Our client was looking for a new and fun way to
get people to understand a significant new process and they asked us to develop a customized escape room simulation.
An escape room simulation is a type of immersive adventure game where participants are "locked" in a themed room and must solve a series of puzzles, riddles, and challenges within a set time limit to "escape" from the room. These simulations typically require teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity to decipher clues, unlock hidden mechanisms, and ultimately progress through the scenario.
The session went amazingly well so I wanted to share some of the benefits of this type of simulation experience. Escape room simulations offer several benefits, both for individuals and groups, including:
- Team Building: Escape room simulations provide an immersive environment where participants must work together to solve puzzles and accomplish tasks within a set time limit. This develops teamwork, communication, and collaboration among participants, making it an effective team-building activity.
- Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for success in escape room simulations. Participants must share information, ideas, and insights with each other to progress. Engaging in these activities can improve participants' verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as their ability to listen actively and collaborate effectively.
- Problem-Solving: Participants are required to use their critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to decipher clues, unlock puzzles, and progress through the escape room. Engaging in these activities can enhance participants' ability to think analytically and find solutions to complex problems.
- Leadership Development: In escape room simulations, participants may naturally take on leadership roles, whether by delegating tasks, providing guidance, or making decisions. Engaging in these activities can help individuals develop leadership skills such as decision-making, delegation, and problem-solving under pressure.
- Psychological Safety: By taking participants away from the real world and putting them in a fun and interactive learning environment, it creates a new baseline for psychological safety where everyone has the opportunity to be heard and included. And if for some reason that isn’t happening, then it’s a good place to provide feedback to others who may not see how they are transgressing.
- Stress Relief: In addition to providing some psychological safety to explore and have fun, escape room simulations offer an opportunity for participants to engage in a challenging and entertaining activity outside of their usual routine. The immersive nature of escape rooms can provide a temporary escape from everyday stressors and offer a fun and enjoyable experience for participants.
- Building Trusting Relationships: Escape room simulations are often enjoyed in groups, especially in a business environment. Participating in these activities can strengthen bonds between participants, create shared memories, and develop a sense of trust and collaboration. Check out my blog from Tuesday about how important it is to practice building trust and an escape room simulation is another great way to do that!
In Summary, escape room simulations offer a unique and engaging experience that can provide numerous benefits, including team building, problem-solving skills, communication improvement, stress relief, leadership development, and social interaction.
