Learning from change: Connecting with the mistakes done in ice breaking sessions

In most of the program most of the times when particiapants come in till the time they enagage and go back there is a relatively less time. It takes time to understand the values and to open and to collborate. This session will help to open as people love to share their stories and by doing so they open and they share their values and opportunity.    

This enhances their comfotability and give them a safe, creative space where groups can unpack real experiences of trying to make change, reflect on what went wrong, and extract lessons from those mistakes together.

Session Flow:

1. Set the Scene – “We’ve All Been There” (5 min)
   • Facilitator introduces the session with a quick story or example of a failed attempt at change — something relatable. Then invites everyone to drop the perfection act and lean into honesty.
   • “This is a space where we celebrate what didn’t work — because that’s where real insight lives.”
2. Warm-Up Prompt – “Name the Flop” (5 min)
   • In your group, go around and answer: “What’s a change initiative, big or small, that didn’t go the way you hoped?”
   • (No need to explain it fully — just name it. Quickfire style.)
   • Builds trust. Creates common ground. Eases the fear of judgment.
3. Group Activity – “The Journey Map of Mistakes” (30 min)
   • Each group gets a “Journey Map” to work through together. Use markers, sticky notes, and visuals to make it your own.
   • Journey Map Prompts:
     1. What change were we trying to create?
     2. Where did we struggle or fail?
     3. What did we learn from that?
     4. How did we shift or adapt because of it?
     5. What advice would we give others trying something similar?
4. Gallery Walk – “Mistakes on Display” (15 min)
   • Groups post their maps around the room. Everyone walks around, reads, and leaves sticky note reactions or questions.
   • This is peer learning in action — no judging, just learning from each other’s messy truths.
5. Collective Harvest – “From Oops to Aha!” (5 min)
   • Facilitator gathers a few insights shared across the room and reflects back to the group:
     1. Common patterns?
     2. Surprising learnings?
     3. Shifts in thinking?

Strategy:

• Collaborative, creative, honest.
• This isn’t about being right, it’s about being real. We’re not here to pitch perfect stories, we’re here to connect through what we’ve learned the hard way.

1. Shreedeep Rayamajhi
   Learn Internet Governance