Some ideas when having a retreat or training event:

• Don’t have people go around a circle and say their name and what they do and their favourite kind of vegetable or whatever. The problem? People spend the whole time trying to think of what to say, not listening to those in front of them.
• Instead, a week ahead of time, give each person an assignment for a brief presentation at the event. It might be the answer to a question like, “what are you working on?” or “what really grabs you at the moment?” or “what are you trying to answer?,” Each person gets 3-5 minutes, that’s it. 
• Never do more than an hour in a row. The attendees now have a hook, something to talk to each presenter about in the hallway or during the breaks. “I agree with what you said this morning…” 
• Organise roundtable conversations, with no more than eight people at a time. Launch a fire-starter, a 2-minute statement, then let everyone have a go at it. Write key ideas down on a sheet of paper on the table. Have half the people from each table move on to another one and continue the interaction. 
• Solve problems. Get into small groups and have the groups build something, analyse something, create something totally irrelevant to what the organization does. The purpose is to put people in close proximity with just enough pressure to allow them to drop their shields. 
• Do skits. 
• Have a moderator who is brave enough and smart enough to call on people, cut people off, connect people and provoke them in a positive way.