The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

SET AN EXAMPLE^237

all of their ideas down, and then together try to group the ideas under

similar categories.

While they are still standing, put on some lively music and lead the

group in a few stretching exercises or dance movements (or get a

volunteer who’s adept at this to do it).

In the whole group, review the suggestions and merge ideas into

similar groupings. Then have everyone take a piece of fruit for a snack

and find a place to sit down.

Step 3: Share a few other ideas, such as these:

 Variety in activity and even location can help energy levels. No one

can stay awake doing the same activity all the time, so prepare a

sequence of tasks and topics that provide variety. For instance,

combine discussion of a serious issue with something lighter or

humorous. Or use part of a work session to solve a problem and

another portion to evaluate how the group is working together.

 Regroup team members regularly. If you form sub-groups to work on

a problem, be sure to mix people up once in a while. If they do not

know one another, encourage them to sit with different people

occasionally.

 Our metabolism dictates when we will have the most energy. Half of

your group will be alert in the morning, a large number will perk up

in the afternoon, and a small number will wish you could meet in the

evening. Vary the time when you meet so you can draw on the

energy of the group members.

 Also, vary where you meet. By meeting in different parts of a large

organization, people get to see where their colleagues work. Try to

occasionally meet in a setting away from work. Variety provides a

fresh perspective.

 Research shows that people can sit still and concentrate for

approximately forty-five minutes to one hour at a time. Take a break

every hour so that people can go to the rest room, make a quick

phone call, get a breath of fresh air, or network.

Provide for some physical exercise to re-energize the group. When they

seem tired, do some yawning and stretching together. Have a set of easy

exercises that can be done in your meeting room. Often there is