Activity Tuesday: Empty Your Cup

The best learners aren't the ones who know the least. They're the ones most willing to question what they know.

One of the biggest obstacles to learning isn’t a lack of knowledge.

It’s believing we’ve already figured it all out.

Empty Your Cup is a simple opening activity built around a memorable demonstration and a timeless story. Participants are challenged to examine the assumptions, opinions, and past experiences they bring into the room, then consider how those beliefs might help or hinder their ability to learn something new.

The discussion quickly moves beyond the activity itself. Participants begin recognizing how often they dismiss new ideas because they conflict with what has worked before, and how curiosity can become a competitive advantage in leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

It’s an ideal opener for any training where you want participants engaged, reflective, and ready to explore new perspectives.

Paid supporters can download the complete facilitator guide, leadership adaptations, debrief questions, and ready-to-run PDF for about the cost of a coffee. If you’ve ever had a participant say, “We’ve already tried that,” this activity is a powerful way to begin the conversation.