Having searched the any-answers history and internet, I haven't quite found what I'm looking for and would be grateful of any help! I am looking for a fun activity to use at the start of a Team Leader away-day which will be focusing on Leadership. I'm looking for something which can be competitive (approx. 4 teams of 5 pax) to generate some energy (and alleviate nerves for new team members) but will reflect the importance of good leadership (max 30 minutes). I'm also looking for a shorter activity post-lunch to draw out some key features of leadership - perhaps a bit more 'serious'.
Natasha Nobes-Cooper
2 Responses
Leadership Exercise
This is a game we sometimes use here at Vimto Academy, on Leadership programmes which is a light heartened time pressured game which opens up participants to consider the leadership cycle
The Exercise is 20 minutes in duration and involves the group first electing a leader for the excerise.
The team is then given 20 minutes to complete two seperately boxed jigsaws (without pictures of the complete puzzles). The twist is that both jigsaws are actually the same – The leaders role can be examined at the end of the exercise – did they stand back and identify that the puzzles were the same and delegate accordingly – or did they pitch into the task and increase confusion??
The groups do seem to enjoy the exercise and it does open up discussion
Leadership icebreaker
If you want a quick and fun icebreaker how about the Birth Order Game? Label the four corners of the room with ELDEST, MIDDLE, YOUNGEST, and ONLY. Ask participants to go to the appropriate corner according to their position in their family. Give them, say, ten mins in their groups to come up with as many reasons as to why their position in their family has made them good leaders.
I’ve also used this for other topics as diverse as Presentation Skills, Negotiation Skills and Faciliatation and continue to get good results. It’s fun and also starts them thinking about the skills you’ll be covering on the course.
Good luck.