Make the invitation clear
Tell people whether the game involves speaking, drawing, acting, inventing or guessing. Someone can enjoy company without enjoying every kind of public performance.
Offer an ordinary pass
Build in a simple way to skip a prompt or sit out a round. Avoid asking for a personal explanation. A pass works best when it is treated as routine.
Keep prompts comfortable
A playful prompt does not need to ask for private experiences, secrets or sensitive opinions. Use fictional situations and agree boundaries with the people actually playing.
Let stories be small
One sentence, an unexpected detail or a quiet suggestion can move a story forward. There is no need to reward only the loudest or longest contribution.
Know when to change the format
If the room is tiring or a joke has stopped being enjoyable, pause and offer something else. Continuing the planned programme is less important than the people at the table.