The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Pencil and paper for each participant

MATERIALS

None

ROOM SET-UP

Tables and chairs

Comments

Every good leader is able to use creativity to accomplish a goal, whether it be to solve

a problem, find a solution, create a product, or energize a group of people. Creativity

is a central competency of all leaders. This brief exercise is a fun way to stretch the

imagination of the participants. It can be used in a variety of workshop designs.

Trainer’s Notes for Activity 47

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE

Step 1: Introduce the subject of poetry writing by asking participants to

volunteer a favorite poem or poet. Discuss why people write or read

poetry (ask those who do to share).

Explain that many people find it a good way to express feelings

and ideas more creatively. Depending on how much interest there is in

the subject, point out some common ways that new poets start. This

can include rhyming couplets (e.g. Roses are red; violets are blue) or

even descriptions of objects (where the whole focus is on a wonderfully

evocative explanation of each sensory aspect of the object). Tell them

that today’s focus is on writing a poem to describe an event by using

26 words in alphabetical order, starting with an “a” word.

Again, by way of example:

All bad children definitely exhibit funky gross habits instead...

Step 2: The best way to ground this exercise so that you can have a discussion

that pulls in everybody is to suggest a topic: Conflict, Power,

Facilitating—whatever topic you are focusing on for the day. Then let

them begin writing.

(^288) THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACTIVITY BOOK