The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

(^184) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK
Step 8: “Now, working separately, let us experiment with the three aspects of
communication that are affected during conflict resolution: MESSAGE,
TONE OF VOICE, and BODY LANGUAGE.” Display three stacks of
printed cards that are of different colors. Let people choose a card from
each pile and demonstrate an example of what the card says. Have
participants guess the tone of voice and the body language that is being
demonstrated. Then emphasize:
“The message is whatyou are saying, as the earlier examples indicate.
The white cards represent the words themselves—the message.
The tone of voice has to do with howyou are saying what you are
saying. This is generally your emotional state. The cards that represent
this are green.
Body language refers to what you are showing with your body. As
you are talking, are you looking away? Down? Or, in general, looking
displeased? Might direct eye contact, nodding your head in approval,
or extending your hand to pat the person give a better result? The body
language cards here are yellow.”
Have participants try another round and decide which interpretations
were on-target.
Step 9: Bring the activity to a close by asking,
“Are there instances when your voice, message, or body language has an
affect on the conflict? Please share an example with us.”
POST-ACTIVITY REVIEW
Take time shortly after conducting this activity to reflect on how it went, how engaged
the participants were, and what questions they raised. Then, make notes that include
how much time you actually spent on the activity.