The Peter-Pauline Facilitation Introduction is an effective PET (Participant Engagement Tool) to get people to know each other or when people are at odds with each other (they don't get the other's perspective) - it compels empathy. It is also a fun way to begin the workshop or meeting on a positive note. Note: This was orginally called "Peter Paul", but people would ask, "Where's Mary?" 
Purpose:
This introduction PET enables people to get to know each other, break the ice, or to compel empathy thus reducing antagonism. Note: This compels empathy because of the way the person introduces her or himself as the person that they interviewed.
Objectives:
- To enable people to get to know each other by "standing in another's shoes."
- To enable people to begin viewing each other as people rather than co-workers.
Do the following:
- Identify Pairs:
- Pair off the two antagonists - if that is the reason for the exercise.
- Pair off people who do not know each other - if this is to get people to know each other.
- Instruct them to interview each other for 10 minutes - 5 minutes each. They are to interview for (Plan out what you want the people to interview for - this is important.):
- name
- department, job
- background
- major objective or concern
- any other information that is appropriate (e.g., hobby, something about them that no one knows, school attended, etc.).
- After 10 minutes, have them reconvene.
- Ask each person to introduce him or herself as the person that they interviewed - in the first person, "My name is..." Continue until everyone has introduced him or herself.
Debriefing Questions:
- How did you feel introducing yourself as your partner?
- How did you feel when your partner introduced him or herself as you?
- What did you learn about each other that you didn't know before?
- What surprises did you find? Why?
