Conversational EQ III

Please be advised that these are quick instructions for certified trainers. If you have received this deck and would like a training session, contact us.

Game 1: Practice Mode

Can be Practiced with 2 Players - Recommended for 3-5 Players

1 player is the Conversation Master and leads the conversation by playing the emotion cards. The other players do not use cards.

Lay out the OARS instruction cards on the table so all players know how to use each technique.

The Conversation Master draws random emotion cards and makes "I think," and "I feel," statements. The other players respond starting with Open Question. The emotion card should be placed down according to the OARS technique being used.

All conversation should stay on the same topic to keep a cohesive information flow for the summary card. It is the responsibility of the Conversation Master to keep the conversation focused.

After the group is satisfied with learning and practicing the techniques, the game can end.

Conversation Master can go first to demonstrate each technique. Each player can take turns being the Conversation Master.

Game 2: Regular

In this version, the Conversation Master becomes the Boat Master and plays the same role. The objective of the other players is to use all OARS techniques and complete their boats. The first person to complete their boat using OARS techniques wins.

Boat Master deals five OARS cards to the other players.

The first person clockwise to the Boat Master, who has an Open Question card starts the game (all games must start with an open question).

The Boat Master plays an emotion card. The first player responds with the Open Question card and then lays it on the table (ignore any other instructions on the card). The Boat Master answers the open question.

The next player then plays any one of their cards in response to the same first card laying it on the table. Once all the players have used an OARS card, the Boat Master draws another emotion card. The round repeats.

The Boat Master must keep the conversation on the same topic.

Version 1: Each player should always have five cards in their hands. After their turn or before their turn, they can draw one card to have five. If a card is stolen and the player has six cards, they cannot draw more.

Version 2: Players can only draw a card after their hand is empty. If they have a summary card and do not want to play it, they can pass their turn and draw on the next turn.

At any time, any OARS with additional instructions can be played. These mechanics are as follows:

SWAP

Exchange one of your cards with any random card in another player’s hand. You pick the card but do not get to see the card. It must be a blind exchange.

STEAL

Take any played card (on the table from another player) and put it into your hand.

RETURN

Make another player place a played card (on the table) back in the deck.

FIGHT

Pick a played card (on the table from any other player) and play rock, scissors, paper for it. If you win, you take the card and put it into your hand. If you lose, they keep the card.

DRAW

Draw another card after playing. You cannot play it until next turn.

Summary Penalty: Summaries do not have to be played last. However, is a summary cannot be properly completed by a player, the Boat Master (on their discretion) can penalize the player and remove all their played boat cards, putting them back into the deck.

After winning the game, the winner appreciates each of the other players for how they played.

Game 3: Advanced

Game 3 is the same as game 2, except their is no Boat Master. Everybody plays emotion cards and is trying to finish their boats using the OARS technique at the same time.

Dealer deals five cards to every player. NOTE: If there are five players, each player only can have four cards in their hands.

The dealer is the first to play an emotion card. The first player clockwise to the dealer with an Open Question card starts as usual.

After the first player plays their OARS card, that player then plays an emotion card.

The next player plays an OARS card and then also plays an emotion card. Each player playing an OARS card and then an emotion card after continues the entire game.

All players can play their OARS and emotion cards to any other player as long as the conversation makes sense and stays generally in the same direction. In the rare case there is any dispute, the original dealer (which is often a trained YouEQ coach), can make a final decision.

The same summary penalties apply, adjudicated by the dealer.

Winner appreciates the other players.