Sparkling Moment

What This Game Teaches

This exercise builds active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to identify and reflect meaningful moments in someone else’s story.

Group Size

Pairs

Time

10–15 minutes

Energy Level

Low

How to Play

1. Partner A tells a true, personal, "happy" story for about one minute.

2. Partner B listens closely without interrupting.

3. After the story, Partner B retells the story back, using the same pronouns as the original tell (I, me, my, etc.)

4. Switch roles.

   
   

Variations

Having the listener retell the story in the first person deepens empathy

Use longer stories (2–3 minutes) for advanced groups

Why It Works

Most people listen to respond. This exercise trains people to listen to understand.

By focusing on the “sparkling moment,” participants practice identifying what actually matters in a story—the emotional core, not just the sequence of events.

This is essential in storytelling. Audiences don’t remember everything that happened. They remember how it felt and what it meant.

It also builds trust. When someone feels accurately heard and reflected, connection deepens immediately.

Pro Tips

• Encourage listeners to resist the urge to fix, advise, or improve the story

• Remind them to stay grounded in what they heard, not what they would have said.

• Affirm both partners—the storyteller for sharing and the listener for reflecting

  
  

Origins / References

Inspired by active listening techniques and reflective storytelling practices used in improv and coaching.  I first played this game with trainer Chris Sams in San Francisco

Try This In Real Life

In your next conversation, listen for the “sparkling moment” in what someone is sharing and reflect it back to them. You will immediately stand out as a better listener.

Want to build stronger listening and storytelling skills on your team? Learn more about my interactive workshops at Your Story, Well Told.