The easiest way to write a good set is to keep all three statements equally ordinary. If one is spectacular and two are routine, the game becomes deduction by punctuation.
Why this format works
Examples reduce prep anxiety, but they should be used as structures rather than claims. Each player replaces the details with statements that are true or plausibly false for them.
The useful test is simple: can a participant understand the rule, choose their level of participation, and see when the activity will end? If yes, the facilitator can focus on the room instead of defending the exercise.
How to run it
- 1
Pick one topic for all three statements.
- 2
Keep the sentence lengths similar.
- 3
Make the lie plausible, not impossible.
- 4
Choose details you are comfortable discussing for one minute.
Write the finish condition into the instructions. For a timed round, show the timer. For Bingo, name the winning line. For a guessing game, say how many clues you will use. Predictability is part of psychological safety.
Prompts you can use
Use these as starting points. Rewrite them for the team’s vocabulary, remove anything that depends on inside knowledge, and keep every answer optional.
- I prefer written notes / I use a timer / I never make lists.
- I have worked from a train / a café / an airport.
- I can solve a cube / bake bread / identify bird calls.
- My first job involved a uniform / a register / an early start.
- I have presented to 5 / 50 / 500 people.
A prompt is ready when it has several plausible answers, does not reveal protected or sensitive information, and gives a quiet participant a simple way to contribute. If it only works when someone tells a big story, narrow it.
What to avoid
- Copying an example as if it were your real history.
- Making the lie the only negative statement.
- Choosing a topic teammates should not have to discuss.
The host’s tone matters as much as the wording. Understate the activity, model a brief answer, and move on at the promised time. The goal is a useful shared moment—not proof that everyone is having fun.
Common questions
What is a believable work lie?
A believable lie is a small variation on a normal habit or experience, not an extraordinary claim that obviously asks for attention.
How many rounds fit in 15 minutes?
Usually five to eight people can play one round each if statements and voting stay concise.
Want the prompts, timing, host notes, and player materials tailored to your team?
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