The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

One interesting object per group, such as an orange or other fruit, an unusual box, a

feather, an intriguing hat.

ROOM SET-UP

Chairs arranged in a circle

Comments

The concept of leadership is a complex one. This activity helps participants explore

various facets of leadership. The use of objects to develop an analogy just creates more

fun.

Trainer’s Notes for Activity 5

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE

Step 1: Select objects as noted. Have enough objects available so each group

can have one object.

Step 2: Divide participants into groups of five (if you formed IDEA teams, they

would do this together). Set up individual groups in circles.

Step 3: Explain that it is sometimes easier to describe leaders by using an

analogy. Give the first object to each group. Ask participants to handle

the object and to answer these questions within their group:

a. How does the object “feel” like a leader?

b. How does the object “see” like a leader?

c. How does the object “smell” like a leader?

d. How does the object “hear” like a leader?

For example, if they object was a feather, the responses to the above

questions might be:

a. The leader uses his or her soft side when empathy and understanding

is needed.

b. The leader can see the big picture by looking through and between

the individual feathers.

c. The leader has none!

d. The leader listens to whose who are quiet as the winds of change

blow the feather.

(^22) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK