The Leadership Training Activity Book: 50 Exercises

Step 5: Then explain the rules. All words or terms on the list must be:

 Meaningful to you

 Specific (not “tree,” but “aspen tree”; not “bird,” but “robin”)

 Pleasing to the ear

Use no adverbs and no plurals.

Step 6: Begin the poetry part of the activity with this explanation:

“When you have 100 words or terms written on the cards, spread

them out. Choose cards that you can use to create a poem about

leadership. Take 15 to 20 minutes to write a poem that supports the

theme of leadership. Add more words as needed to flesh out the poem.”

Offer the participants the following as an example of a poem:

Why does leadership make me think of bright, white light?

Is it the leader’s clarity I feel as comfort?

The leader is a beacon through the night.

Is it the leader’s gentle pressure I feel as comfort?

When I think of Leadership, it is a fresh, fragrant flag.

Is it the leader’s support that gives me comfort?

The leader beckons and make me glad.

Is it their insistent, but gentle, speech that gives me comfort?

Comfort to follow; comfort to grow.

I am glad my Leader is in the know.

Step 7: When the groups have finished, have one member of each group read

their poem to the total group. Encourage applause.

Step 8: Post the poems (or collect them and make copies for everyone) and bring

the session to a close. The trainer concludes the activity by congratulating

all the burgeoning poets and suggesting that they think about leadership

as involving every sense and feeling identified in their poems.

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.

LAY THE GROUNDWORK, ENERGIZE PARTICIPANTS, AND THEN CLOSE^19